We often see Ricoh’s 28mm equiv GR cameras discussed alongside Fujifilm’s X100 series models. The temptation is obvious: they’re two of the only large-sensor fixed lens cameras sold at anything approaching a mainstream price. But this ignores the fact that most photographers will have a strong preference for either the 28 or 35mm equivalent angle of view, and may be poorly served by one or other camera.
This changes entirely with the launch of the Ricoh GR IIIx, a 40mm equiv version of the company’s storied photographers’ compact. With slightly wide-of-normal lenses, the GR IIIx and Fujifilm X100V suddenly become much more meaningfully comparable, which lets us take a closer look at the real differences between two of the cameras most beloved of their users.