Right here on Pictures Life, once we discuss cameras, it’s normally in reference to interchangeable lens cameras. There are lots of causes for this, however most likely a very powerful is that interchangeable lens techniques have a lot versatility and are normally of a better high quality. Nonetheless, I’ve lengthy been intrigued by the thought of a set lens “point-and-shoot” sort digicam that I may use for extra informal images.
One drawback I’ve had with fixed-lens cameras up to now is that they’re somewhat too broad for my style. Most of them have focal lengths round a 28mm equal, whereas I choose one thing within the 40mm or 50mm vary. Nonetheless, each Leica and Ricoh not too long ago launched fixed-lens cameras with longer focal lengths: the Leica Q3 43 with a 43mm lens, and the Ricoh GR IIIX with a 40mm equal lens. In the meantime, the ever-popular Fuji X100VI’s lens has a 35mm equal focal size, which is barely wider than I choose, however nonetheless compelling.
Lately, I had a possibility to borrow all three of those cameras and put them by their paces facet by facet. Which might be the perfect for my functions, and would any of them beat my present walk-around setup – a Nikon Z6 II with the Z 40mm f/2?
First, lets check out the three cameras I’d be evaluating, plus the Nikon Z6 II and 40mm f/2 for reference:
Primary Specs
| Ricoh GR IIIX | Fujifilm X100VI | Leica Q3 43 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | September 2021 | February 2024 | September 2024 |
| Sensor | 24 MP APS-C | 40 MP APS-C | 62 MP Full Body |
| Lens | 26mm f/2 (40mm equal) | 23mm f/2.8 (36mm equal) | 43mm f/2 |
| Weight | 262 g | 521 g | 772 g |
| Value | $1127 | $1600 | $7380 |
Though all three are fastened lens cameras, as you possibly can see, there are some important variations! The Ricoh is the smallest, lightest, and least costly, whereas the Leica is the most important, heaviest, and by far the most costly. The Fuji slots within the center.
Whereas it might sound unfair to make this comparability given how rather more costly the Leica is, I assumed it might be attention-grabbing to see what the most costly digicam on this class can do, and what the tradeoffs is likely to be with the opposite cameras. Additionally, since I’m on the lookout for a journey and walkaround digicam, the dimensions and weight of the Leica really means it begins with an obstacle in my guide.
One disclaimer – this isn’t a assessment of those three cameras, and I’m not going to go over each function of them. As an alternative, this was a discipline check and facet by facet comparability. I’ll level out the variations and options that almost all struck me in both a constructive or unfavorable manner, however after all everybody’s use instances are totally different.
My Expertise With Every Digital camera
1. Ricoh GR IIIX
Wow is that this digicam small and light-weight! It’s been a very long time since I used a digicam this small. It’s really pocketable, which I very strongly respect for my necessities.
The largest tradeoff on the dimensions of this digicam is the shortage of a viewfinder, however in observe, it bothered me lower than I anticipated. And optically, there was nothing that dissatisfied me. Notably at ISO 1600 and beneath, the picture high quality is kind of good. The lens is sharp, and it controls flare higher than the Fuji.
Though the digicam is just not climate sealed, I didn’t encounter any points, together with in humid, wet situations. I doubtless can be extra cautious with this digicam in heavy rain and sandy situations than the others on this record, however that’s a tradeoff I’d be comfortable with for the dimensions/weight/value mixture.
The construct high quality is respectable, and about what I anticipated. Plastic is closely used, however the controls are all straightforward to make use of and accessible. The lens retracts when the digicam is off, which additional aids the power to pocket this digicam.
For me, one huge shock with the Ricoh is that it really has a small quantity of inner storage (2GB). Whereas this doesn’t fully resolve for the only card slot situation that each one of those cameras have (extra on that later), it’s nice for peace of thoughts when you overlook a reminiscence card. And if it fills and also you don’t have a spare, you possibly can maintain taking pictures for some time.
The battery on this digicam is unsurprisingly small, however in observe, I didn’t discover the battery life to be a giant situation. It considerably outperformed the rated 200 pictures. Nonetheless, I’d carry a spare when you’re planning to shoot all day.
Autofocus is okay – the GR IIIX has the identical internals because the GR III, which got here out in 2019, so the system is about 6 years previous at this level. It’s actually not going to win any pace awards, however for on a regular basis images and journey, it was satisfactory in my testing. It’s additionally price mentioning that Ricoh only recently introduced that the GR IV can be popping out later this yr, which ought to enhance the autofocus. However thus far, there isn’t any point out of a GR IV X, so if you’d like the 40mm equal focal size, the GR IIIX might stay the choice for some time.
The largest draw back to this digicam for me is the lack to manually focus. The digicam has a “snap focus” system the place you possibly can pre-set a distance and have the digicam immediately focus there and take a photograph, which I discovered very helpful for some topics, however I’d nonetheless choose the power to really focus manually in scenes that decision for it.
One final stunning factor concerning the Ricoh in comparison with the opposite two – as a result of it’s so a lot smaller, I anticipated it to be more durable to grip and use one-handed. In observe, I discovered the other to be true. The Ricoh’s grip has an amazing texture to it, and is definitely a lot simpler to carry onto than both of the opposite two cameras. Everybody’s arms are totally different after all, however this was the best for me to make use of one handed. It was additionally the one digicam I used to be snug with utilizing and not using a strap.
In all, I actually loved utilizing the Ricoh. Its measurement and weight had been so transformative that it modified once I introduced a digicam with me, and located myself carrying it once I usually wouldn’t have introduced a digicam alongside. This allowed me to seize photographs I in any other case would have missed.
2. Fujifilm X100VI
That is most likely one of the vital polarizing cameras on the market. Individuals who love Fuji typically, and the X100 collection particularly, appear to be passionate supporters that almost all digicam manufacturers can be envious of. However, individuals who don’t like or use these cameras have a tendency to think about them cameras as overrated and gimmicky. So, which camp did I fall in after utilizing it?
Nicely, it was a little bit of a blended bag for me. On the plus facet, I really feel like this digicam finds a little bit of a candy spot between measurement and performance. It’s considerably bigger and heavier than the Ricoh, however for that additional measurement and weight, you get a viewfinder, a lens that may be manually targeted, a shutter pace dial, and aperture controls on the lens. As somebody who has used a variety of movie cameras, these controls are intuitive.
On the minus facet, the construct high quality doesn’t really feel like a major enhance over the Ricoh, regardless of being nearly 50% costlier. The picture high quality is cheap however not significantly spectacular – it didn’t strike me as higher than the Ricoh in observe, though the decision is larger. The autofocus feels just a few steps behind most fashionable cameras. And it has a shutter button that I can solely describe as “mushy.”
This digicam additionally has a very uncommon viewfinder (another Fuji cameras even have it). It’s a hybrid optical/digital viewfinder, which lets you use the digicam in both mode, or as an optical viewfinder with a digital overlay. It’s an attention-grabbing design, and possibly the number of choices offers it a wider enchantment for everybody. However in observe, I discovered the viewfinder to be respectable at finest. The optical viewfinder might be the perfect of the choices when you like that model. The hybrid viewfinder felt very distracting to me, and the digital has a very slim viewing angle.
One of many greatest upgrades to the X100VI over the earlier model is the addition of IBIS. I’m glad they added this, particularly since each the Leica and the Ricoh each even have it. The IBIS works effectively and enhances the X100VI’s nature as a handheld device.
As a facet observe – many individuals who use this digicam shoot in JPEG and use Fuji’s well-known movie simulations. I performed round with this considerably, however since I shoot RAW, this capability is just not one thing I significantly care about and didn’t impression how I’d rank these cameras. I perceive that for some, this function is a defining one, and could also be nearly sufficient to justify shopping for the X100VI by itself.
All in all, utilizing the Fuji was an attention-grabbing expertise. Given the dimensions and controls, I may see the place for some use instances, this is likely to be the one digicam you want (I don’t really feel that manner concerning the Ricoh). However, the digicam didn’t seize me or make me wish to exit and create, which was the entire level of this experiment.
3. Leica Q3 43
On opening the field, my speedy thought with the Leica Q3 43 was, “Wow, it is a fairly digicam.” Most digital cameras look pretty related and utilitarian, whereas this one appears to be like premium and engaging. Then I picked it up and thought, “Wow, it is a heavy digicam!”
To make sure, the Q3 43 is each stunning and heavy – practically triple the load of the Ricoh and about 50% greater than the Fuji. It’s also the one one of many three that isn’t pocketable in a sensible manner, because the lens is considerably bigger. It feels extra at house in a small bag than in a pocket.
Utilizing this digicam is a pleasure (when you possibly can maintain onto it, described beneath). The dials, controls, picture high quality, construct high quality, and taking pictures expertise are all nice. It is a digicam that makes me wish to exit and do extra images, which is thrilling because the level of a digicam like this for me is to be enjoyable and make me wish to create. As talked about, it isn’t pocketable, so that you would want to decide to both sporting it round your neck or carrying a bag of some form. For some, this may not be a giant deal, however for others it’s.
I discussed that picture high quality is nice, however I wish to take a second to broaden on that – this digicam places out a few of the nicest and finest trying recordsdata I’ve ever seen. The mix of the 43mm Leica lens and the 62 megapixel sensor is unbelievable. Though you actually pay for it in measurement and value, it does result in photographs with stunning picture high quality.
One other attention-grabbing factor about this digicam is that it attracted rather more consideration than the opposite two. This could possibly be a superb or dangerous factor, relying on the scenario. Leica is a well-known premium model, and many individuals taken with images approached me hanging up conversations, which might be a variety of enjoyable. However, it may additionally appeal to the unsuitable sort of consideration. (I didn’t expertise this, however actually some folks have.)
After all, there isn’t any solution to discuss this digicam with out speaking concerning the value. At $7,380, you possibly can purchase 6 Ricohs or 4 Fujis and nonetheless have lots of of {dollars} left over. You can even purchase a Nikon Z8 with a full swimsuit of lenses, and it might most likely be cheaper – and much more sensible. Most individuals won’t ever purchase the Leica Q3 43, and that’s okay. This isn’t a digicam that “is sensible” – quite, it’s a digicam to take pleasure in for people who find themselves and may afford it.
In addition to value and measurement, there are two main issues with the Q3 43 for me. The primary is that it solely has one SD card slot. Though that is additionally true concerning the different cameras on this record, it bothers me extra in a digicam of this value. The Leica Q3 43 is a digicam that I’d think about using for occasions and weddings (I usually have a 50mm or 40mm on my second digicam physique, so this may slot in there properly), however not having the second card slot is a dealbreaker for a majority of these conditions.
The second drawback is how exhausting this digicam is to carry onto. It’s because not solely does the Leica Q3 43 not have a devoted grip – the digicam might be described as “soap-bar” formed – but in addition as a result of it’s the heaviest of those three cameras. That’s a mix that may result in dropping the digicam when you aren’t cautious. Most individuals I do know who use this digicam have purchased a thumb grip and at all times apply it to a strap.
At over $7,000, I’d count on the ergonomics out of the field to be glorious. This appears like a kind over operate resolution, as a result of the lens is so massive you possibly can simply make a bigger, extra snug grip with out the general footprint or portability of the digicam getting worse. However that’s not the Leica manner.
That mentioned, I very a lot loved utilizing the Leica Q3 43. It completely feels premium, has great picture high quality, and is a dialog starter. Nonetheless, the value and some key cons restrict what may in any other case be an impressive digicam.
Pattern Pictures
Under is the same shot with all three cameras.
And a pattern between simply the Leica and the Ricoh:
Rankings
Slightly than giving an outright winner, I assumed I’d summarize by a very powerful elements I’d have in purchasing for a degree and shoot digicam.
- Picture High quality: Leica. However Ricoh will get an honorable point out as a result of the picture high quality is on par with the Fuji for much less cash.
- Construct High quality: Leica
- Autofocus: Leica
- Dealing with: Leica for premium really feel, Ricoh for being the one one that may reliably be handheld and not using a strap or grip
- Taking pictures Expertise: Leica
- Display screen/Viewfinder: Fuji – it will get bonus factors for its distinctive hybrid viewfinder
- Measurement/Weight: Ricoh (clearly) – I’d describe the Ricoh as really pocketable, the Fuji as “jacket” pocketable, and the Leica as not pocketable except you might have very massive hoodie pockets
- Reminiscence: Ricoh – all three cameras have a single SD card slot, which isn’t superb, however the Ricoh has the additional benefit of a small quantity of inner storage
- Greatest Worth: Ricoh
The Backside Line
I see why all three of those cameras are made. The Ricoh is an nearly shockingly succesful digicam in a very pocketable kind issue. The Fuji is an efficient center floor, giving some good enhancements over the Ricoh (like a viewfinder), whereas nonetheless being pretty small and modestly costlier. The Leica has a few of the finest picture high quality I’ve seen on any digicam, though it comes at a major value, each in {dollars} and in measurement/weight.
Whereas I loved my time experimenting with all three of those cameras, the one which impressed me essentially the most by far was the Ricoh. It’s so small and light-weight that I can take it with me even once I don’t have area for a digicam, and it takes surprisingly good photographs. It additionally has the good thing about being essentially the most totally different from my each day Nikon Z setup.
In the end, although, I feel I’ll maintain my Z6 II and 40mm combo as my walk-around equipment, at the least for now. I didn’t significantly benefit from the Fuji and wouldn’t spend the cash for the Leica. And whereas the Ricoh did impress me, I’m unsure if the dimensions profit outweighs the additional expense and needing a separate workflow for an additional digicam. That being mentioned, if I’m in a scenario the place bringing a brilliant small digicam can be essential, I’d completely choose up the Ricoh. It’s much more gratifying to make use of than a telephone, and the same measurement.
I hope that you simply discovered this comparability attention-grabbing. Let me know when you have any ideas on these cameras or questions beneath!