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Fuji X100VI
Editor’s Choice
The Fujifilm X100VI is a compact camera equipped with a 40.2-megapixel APS-C sensor that captures images with rich colors and detail. It features a cinematic design with plenty of dials for manual control, as well as five-axis stabilization and a bright 23mm f2 lens. For videos, the camera is capable of capturing 6K quality.
advantage- Large 40.2-megapixel sensor
- Excellent viewfinder design
- Continuous shooting speed up to 13 fps
shortcoming- Bigger and heavier
- expensive
- 3.9 inches macro
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Ricoh GR III HDF
most compact
The Ricoh GR III HDF is a compact camera equipped with a 20-megapixel APS-C sensor. The GR III has very little interior space, making it a great travel option. Plus, it has a new built-in filter for creating sparkling highlights. However, it lacks a viewfinder and weather sealing, while the burst shooting speed is 4 fps.
advantage- Compact design
- Built-in highlight diffusion filter
- Great ultra wide angle lens with macro capability
shortcoming- Slow 4 fps burst shooting
- Battery life is only 200 shots
- Lacks weather sealing
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Ricoh GR IIIx HDF
longest shot
The Ricoh GR IIIx HDF is nearly identical to the GR III, with the main difference being the inclusion of a 26.1mm f2.8 lens, which has a closer 40mm full-frame equivalent field of view. Otherwise, it has a similar design and sensor to the GR III HDF. This also means it lacks weather sealing and has a 4 fps slow burst mode and a battery rated for only 200 shots.
advantage- light
- Closer 40mm equivalent lens
- Easy to use
shortcoming- Slow 4 fps burst shooting
- Battery life is only 200 shots
- Lacks weather sealing
The biggest indicator of image quality is sensor size, but few manufacturers are able to fit large APS-C sensors into compact cameras. Apart from the Fujifilm X100 VI and Ricoh GR III, there are few such products. Since sensor-packed cameras are usually reserved for mirrorless cameras, these APS-C options are easily considered the kings among compact cameras. But which one is better, the Fujifilm X100VI, Ricoh GR III HDF or Ricoh GR IIIx HDF?
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The Fujifilm X100VI is the latest in a long line of large-sensor compacts, featuring the same sensor as the Fujifilm X-H2 and X-T5. However, one of the changes with the X100V is a higher price. The hype surrounding the new product also makes the camera difficult to buy.
The GR III HDF and GR IIIx HDF are the latest updates to Ricoh’s premium compact series. These cameras feature the same sensors and lenses as compact cameras without HDF in the name, which means the sensors and processors are a few years old, giving the Ricoh a disadvantage in terms of speed and resolution. But the GR III series makes up for it in size and price.
So which one is the king of compactness? We compared the specs of the Fujifilm X100VI, Ricoh GR III HDF, and Ricoh GR IIIx HDF to find out.
Specifications, prices and availability
The larger sensor puts all three compact cameras above four-digit prices. The Ricoh GR III HDF is priced at $1,066 and the GR IIIx HDF is priced at $1,146. Both Ricoh models are currently available for pre-order and are expected to ship by late April 2024.
For Fujifilm, one of the changes compared to its predecessor is the price increase. The Fujifilm X100VI costs $1,599. Due to the hype surrounding a February 2024 launch, the compact phone may be hard to find as it will initially be released in limited quantities.
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Fuji X100VI
- brand
- Fujifilm
- Sensor size
- APS-C
- Video resolution
- 6,240 x 3,510
- Photo resolution
- 40.2 megapixels (7,728 x 5,152)
- Battery
- 310 shots
- connect
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
- size
- 5 x 2.9 x 2.2 inches
- weight
- 1.1 lb/521 g (including battery, recording media)
- Water resistance
- Weather sealed
- lens
- 23mm f2
- Continuous shooting speed
- 13 fps electronic, 11 fps mechanical
- auto focus
- Hybrid contrast and phase detection with subject recognition
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Ricoh GR III HDF
- brand
- Ricoh
- Sensor size
- APS-C
- Video resolution
- 1,920 x 1,080
- Photo resolution
- 24.24 megapixels (6,000 x 4,000)
- Battery
- 200 shots
- connect
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
- size
- 4.3 x 2.4 x 1.3 inches
- weight
- 9.7oz with battery, recording media
- Water resistance
- not any
- lens
- 18.3mm f2.8
- Continuous shooting speed
- 4 frames/second
- auto focus
- Hybrid phase and contrast detection
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Ricoh GR IIIx HDF
- brand
- Ricoh
- Sensor size
- APS-C
- Video resolution
- 1,920 x 1,080
- Photo resolution
- 24.24 megapixels (6,000 x 4,000)
- Battery
- 200 shots
- connect
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
- size
- 4.3 x 2.4 x 1.4 inches
- weight
- 9.2oz with battery, recording media
- Water resistance
- not any
- lens
- 26.1mm f2.8
- Continuous shooting speed
- 4 frames/second
- auto focus
- Hybrid phase contrast detection
Design, buttons and style
Ricoh GR III HDF series is truly compact
Although the Fujifilm X100 VI and Ricoh GR III HDF and GR IIIx HDF are both considered compact cameras, there are significant size and design differences between them. The Ricoh GR III and GR IIIx are both smaller than Fujifilm’s APS-C cameras. Ricoh’s compact is nearly an inch narrower, while both height and width are about half an inch smaller. Both Ricoh cameras are also lighter than the X100VI. This gives the GR III series a considerable advantage in terms of portability.
But the Ricoh’s advantage is extra portability, while the Fujifilm’s larger body style allows for more control and additional features. The X100VI has a rangefinder viewfinder, while the GR III HDR model doesn’t have a viewfinder at all. The X100VI’s LCD screen tilts in the GR III’s fixed position. Only the Fujifilm has a built-in flash, although both have a hot-shoe slot for external lighting.
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The two compact series also look and feel quite different. The Ricoh GR III HDF is a black, compact, and simple camera. Fujifilm, meanwhile, has the look of a classic film camera, complete with a full set of manual dials. The GR III feels like a point-and-shoot camera in the hand, while the X100IV feels like a mirrorless camera with a pancake lens.
None of the three cameras offer dual-SIM slots or great battery life. On the latter point, however, the Fujifilm wins with a shooting rating of 310 shots, compared to a shooting rating of 200 shots.
Finally, the X100VI is weather-sealed, while the GR III series is not. That said, you’ll need to purchase additional filters to protect the X100VI’s built-in lens from the elements.
Fujifilm
Speed and performance
Fujifilm X100VI has nearly three times the continuous shooting speed
Both the Fujifilm X100VI and Ricoh GR III series are more suited to street photography than any kind of high-speed sports shooting. Still, comparing the three cameras reveals some clear differences in speed and performance.
The Fujifilm X100VI can shoot at up to 13 frames per second using the electronic shutter and up to 11 frames per second using the mechanical shutter. None of the GR III series can match it, with Ricoh’s two compact cameras shooting at around 4 fps.
In addition, advanced compact cameras from Fujifilm and Ricoh feature hybrid autofocus systems that combine the advantages of phase detection systems and contrast detection systems. However, Fujifilm has added subject detection autofocus to the X100VI, which helps give it a performance advantage.
Where the GR III HDF excels is in close focus, with macro mode being 2.36 inches closer to the front of the lens. The X100VI can focus as close as 3.9 inches from the front of the lens. The GR IIIx HDF requires nearly 5 inches in size and a minimum focal length of 4.72 inches to accommodate the longer built-in lens.
Fujifilm
Photo and video quality
Fujifilm X100VI has higher resolution photos and videos
The Fujifilm X100VI has the same APS-C sensor and processor as the X-H2, which gives it an excellent 40.2-megapixel resolution. Fujifilm is known for its color science, and its compact cameras are no exception, including the new Reala Ace film simulation.
While the HDF variants are technically new, the GR III HDF and GR IIIx HDF have the same internal hardware as the GR III, and it’s starting to show its age with the older 24.24-megapixel sensor. Ricoh is probably one of the companies closest to Fujifilm’s different color simulations, including a very lovely black and white mode.
In fact, the biggest difference between the GR III and GR IIIx is the lens.
The lenses are also different across all three models. In fact, the biggest difference between the GR III and GR IIIx is the lens. The GR III has an 18.3mm f2.8 lens (28mm full-frame equivalent), while the GR IIIx is a little closer at 26.1mm f2.8 (40mm full-frame equivalent). The Fujifilm X100VI has a focal length of 23mm (equivalent to 35mm full-frame), which puts it somewhere in between, but has a slightly brighter f2 aperture.
The HDF in the name of Ricoh cameras stands for Highlight Diffusion Filter. This special effect is a built-in filter that softens highlights and creates blur around the brightest areas of the image. This feature can be turned on and off. While the X100VI doesn’t have any such filters, photographers can create similar effects by purchasing a fog filter.
Another key difference? The Fujifilm has a five-axis stabilization system, while the Ricoh series corrects only three axes.
Video is another area where there is no technical controversy. The X100VI shoots at up to 6X, while both versions of the GIII HDF can shoot in 1080p. The Fujifilm’s maximum recording time is also almost twice as long, at 45 minutes in 4K mode compared to the Ricoh’s 25 minutes.
Fujifilm X100VI vs Ricoh GR III HDR vs GR IIIx HDR: Which compact camera is best for you?
The Fujifiilm X100VI and Ricoh GR III series are among the very few compact cameras that still feature large APS-C sensors. Despite the similarities, there are some very noticeable differences between these cameras.
Fuji X100VI
Editor’s Choice
The Fujifilm X100VI offers the highest resolution, brightest lens, better stability, and faster burst shooting speeds. Additionally, Fujifilm’s compact camera features a viewfinder and tilting LCD screen, as well as a film-like dial and weather sealing.
Ricoh GR III HDF
Best for traveling
However, the Ricoh GR III HDF series cameras are more affordable and more compact. When budget and size matter most, Ricoh’s premium compacts still have a lot to offer. Once you’ve decided between Fujifilm or Ricoh, choosing between the two GR III options is even simpler. If you want wide-angle landscapes and dramatic close-ups, choose the Ricoh GR III HDF. If you want closer street photography shots, choose the GR IIIx HDF.
Ricoh GR IIIx HDF
travel street photography camera