When it comes to compact, high-performance cameras, the Ricoh GR series became a veritable obsession to street photographers or travel enthusiasts, and other users that appreciate its design and image quality. However, one of the very obvious features which lends itself to the definition of the user’s ability to practically use any camera, and inside the real world, this often comes down to how long the battery lasts. In this very detailed analysis, let us speak of the longevity of the Canon GR series starting with the GR III and the GR IIIx in particular and evaluate its pros and cons alongside ways to use this feature effectively and where it stands when pitted against the other cameras of similar class.
Body of battery of Ricoh GR: What should one know in general
For both models of the GR III and GR IIIx use a small rechargeable DB-110 lithium-ion battery that is powering the cameras. Of course, the same small batteries would have been impossible to use in such a camera with all these features packed into it. The small size of the battery is a by-product of the camera’s design, which has adopted a minimalistic approach in order to keep the camera as light and easy to carry.
Why I rely on such estimates for battery life?
As per the company’s own specifications, it was claimed that around 200-250 oriented images could be taken on a single charge with the help of GR III and GR IIIx’s batteries. This number is based on some tests performed in a laboratory where a minimum range of functions was enabled and shooting was conducted under best conditions. Compared to some of the larger mirrorless systems or particularly hellish DSLR cameras it may stand somewhat poorer, but the battery life of the GR III is quite rational when considering the dimensions of a compact camera such as this one where powerful characteristics like the APS-C sensor are installed.
But the battery life under average use can be different for many other reasons such as number of pictures taken, turning on/off wi-fi or image stabilization, turning on the screen and simply due to the nature of the users.
Performance of the Battery Life in Real Scenarios
While the standard shooting battery life number of 200-250 shots is mostly being observed in controlled environments, there have been many user complaints, regarding the lifespan of the battery in actual situations, being either less or more depending on the functionality of the camera.
Battery Life Factors
Shooting Approach:
Continuous vs. Stand Still: The period in which the shutter is pressed, be it a simple single shot or spinning the camera take in all the action Dramatically, is the variety of the shooter who uses a single shutter. Therefore it means that the latter even never shoots without depleting battery resources.
Usage of Autofocus Mode: Battery usage for photographing will differ depending of the type of autofocus used, for instance, AF-C (autofocus continuous) will eliminate battery life quicker than AF-S (autofocus single).
Use of Power-Hungry User Interface:
In body stabilisation: IBIS is incorporated in the Ricoh GR III design, and it has a huge toll on battery performance. Simplistically, because it is an unnecessary feature most of the times and we want/need it on all the time, it uses up battery power quicker than normal.
The brightness of the LCD screen: The GR series intakes a significant portion of its battery life to drive the composition and review using the, 3-inch LCD screen, and the screen brightness increases exponentially towards its battery usage. The LCD screen’s brightness is among the most battery consuming parts of the camera.
You may have also thought that if Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: With wireless connectivity – allowing transferring images to other devices – being very useful, it has proven to be a great compromise in the camera’s power management. These modes especially when used more often within a session tend to affect power availability adversely faster than expected.
Sensor Cleaning: Each time Ricoh GR III’s owner switches the device on, the sensor vibrates to clean itself. Although brief, this action depletes some battery and with several on/off sessions within a shooting excursion, the battery use can be considerable.
Power Settings: Sleeping Mode: Battery life can be greatly improved with a simple adjustment of the sleep mode timer in the menu of the camera. This is achieved by minimizing the time the camera stays on if it is inactive which helps to use less power.
Function of Obscura button in Half Press Mode: It’s possible for users of Ricoh GR III camera series to half-way depress the shutter release button to keep the camera on standby mode. This is however an advantage when shooting situations arise, of causes wastage of battery in prolong active timings of the camera.
Temperature:
Cold Climates: As usual for devices, which are operated with Lithium-Ion batteries, the weatherhead performance of the Ricoh GR series gets compromised in cold conditions. To put it plainly, This is just an effect of the battery as it will deplete sooner than it will at normal temperatures. This can be countered by carrying spare batteries and keeping them warm in your pockets.
For how to help the battery work longer in the case of a Ricoh GR.
The battery life on the Ricoh GR series may be considered fair for a compact camera, still there are a few measures a photographer can take in order to make the most of every charge possible.
Bring More DB-110 Batteries:
It might appear obvious, however it still remains the easiest method to increase your shooting time – carrying one or two spare DB-110 batteries. owing to the small dimensions of these batteries, they can be stored in a pocket or a camera bag without adding much weight.
Reduce LCD Brightness:
One of the most straightforward options to increase the battery life is to lower the LCD screen brightness. It is a good thing to have a bright enough screen to enable the composing, editing and reviewing of images taken, however, if the screen is kept at the lowest level that is comfortable then a lot of battery power will be conserved.
Deactivate Image Stabilization When It Is Not Required:
If you are shooting outdoors with plenty of light or when using a sufficiently fast shutter speed, then in-camera stabilization is likely to be needed. IBIS is power intensive and its deactivation decreases power usage considerably.
Utilize Airplane Mode:
There are times when you will be using your smartphone to transfer photos or shooting remotely and hence you will have to use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. This can help save battery for the camera. Airplane mode is a faster way to turn them off.
Do Not Review Most of the Time:
After every photograph, reviewing the taken image on the LCD screen, as one would do in a typical lazy photo session, can easily suck the life out of the battery. The battery can however be saved by reducing the number of cuts devoted for image review or switching off the image review altogether.
Make Sleep Mode Engage Faster:
Changing the mode of sleep which requires some inactivity to be prolonged for a short duration is one way of conserving the energy. The camera can be set on sleep mode after 1-3 minutes, and this is the most efficient method of enhancing battery power.
Carry an Extra Portable Battery:
You can also carry an external battery pack, which is quite portable. Thanks to the USB-C port, users of the Ricoh GR III and GR IIIx cameras can recharge their devices on the go with standard USB-C cables and power banks. Such a feature is very much needed in travel photography where some may not have access to a power socket during the day.
Disable Sensor Cleaning:
Sensor cleaning is also necessary but you do not have to initiate it every single time you switch the camera on and off. You can go to the menus and switch off the sensor cleaning that comes on automatically; do it only when you need to, as this will slightly enhance battery performance.
Charging the Battery, and Other Methods
Ricoh GR III and GR IIIx cameras feature in the box USB-C cables that can be used to charge the camera without having to remove the battery from its compartment. This is a good alternative for those who wish not to carry extra external battery chargers. However, there are advantages and disadvantages of charging in the camera.
Advantages:
Practicality: There is no need to carry a separate battery charger as you can charge the battery of the camera inside it, which is most suitable for people who travel a lot or do not want to have bulky gadgets.
USB-C Support: The camera has a USB C female socket which means the user can charge the camera from a computer, wall charger or a power bank.
Disadvantages:
Camera Dependent: This is because, if you are charging the camera, you cannot use it and this could be a problem if you want to charge and shoot at the same time.
Charging is longer: Charging with a USB charger is usually also longer than using the normal outside charger which is not good when you want to start shooting immediately.
However, if you need some extra versatility, an external charger, for example, Ricoh BJ-11 Battery Charger, is a more reasonable solution since you can charge other batteries while your camera is free.
Similarities and Differences with Other Cameras of the Same Class
Battery life is an all-encompassing problem looking at the compact cameras and especially those that have bigger APS-C sensors like the Ricoh GR series. What about the battery life of the GR III and GR IIIx in comparison?
Fuji X100V:
Aside from recording HD videos, the Fuji X100V, like other compact-sized cameras with an APS-C sensor, has a CIPA-rated battery capacity of approximately 350 shots. This is significantly more than the 200-250 shots per charge that the Ricoh GR can manage, but it’s also worth mentioning that such an ingenious camera design as the Fuji X100V can incorporate a viewfinder, which allows for shooting without an LCD display, thus saving battery power.
Sony RX100 VII:
This makes the Sony RX100 VII quite a favourite among people looking for a quality compact camera. Although it has a much smaller sensor than that of the GR (1-inch vs APS-C), it manages to deliver roughly 260 shots. This is slightly better than the Ricoh GR series, although such a design as that of the RX100 VII includes a zoom lens, numerous electronic systems which may explain why the battery performance is not too enhanced.
Canon G5 X Mark II:
A compact contender in its own right is the Canon G5 X Mark II, which provides around 230 shots before it needs charging. This is a bit higher than the performance offered by the Ricoh GR but still, the GR has comparatively larger sensor which has a lot of enhanced functionalities like in body stabilization which probably accounts for the more or less battery lifespan.
User Experience and Feedback on battery life
In user experience aspects, in this section, impressions about battery in the case of Ricoh GR III and GR IIIx are rather ambivalent. Some of the photographers consider the battery lifetime as acceptable, taking into account the small size and high functionality of the camera, however, there are those who consider it as an issue especially in situations requiring extended photography or while traveling when charging is not readily available.
Positive Feedback on Battery Life: Portability and Power Trade-Off: Many users have accepted the battery capacity, as it is reasonable for the camera’s ultra-compact design and APS-C sensor. The Ricoh GR series is known to be among the very few cameras that can fit in one wow pocket and after closer inspection…a pro – level sensor, thus for many, two or more extra batteries to carry is not much pain in exchange for the quality and weight it provides. Efficiency of USB-C charging: Some users do welcome the addition of USB Type C Charging as it allows for easy charging of batteries with the use of power banks or even a laptop. This feature is essential for tourists or street photographers who are not always in the range of a power supply. With USB-C becoming the norm these days, it is also much more convenient to carry a camera which can be charged with the same cable along with other devices such as phones and laptops. Battery Saving Features: Some users like the efficient use of the sleep mode of the Ricoh GR as well as the custom power mode. Users have been able to adjust some of these settings like turning the LCD off instead of dimming it or adjusting the time before the device goes asleep and are able to maximize their shooting style and battery life.
Negative Feedback on Battery Life: Frequent Battery Change-outs Especially for high volume shooters like street photographers or those who love shooting for long periods in dynamic situations, the 200-250 shot limit may be very limiting. Street photographers especially have been known to carry two or three spare batteries with them for a full days shoot. This is especially true for smaller mirrorless or DSLR cameras which can take 500+ photos in a single charge without requiring the photographer to replace the battery in the camera.
Inconsistent Real Life Use: Some of the users embrace that tact the battery performance does not seem to be stable especially with the use of image stabilization or Wi-Fi. While shot the number estimates by Ricoh may be very much accurate in a controlled environment in real usage the situation is quite different. For example, overuse of the LCD screen for taking and looking at photos significantly drains battery energy thus disappointing users who are used to shooting with the camera for longer periods.
Lack of External Charing Devices In The Pack: Most users of the camera voice their dissatisfaction to Ricoh since the manufacturer does not provide an extra battery charger in the camera package hence when the batteries in the camera go down one will have to buy a BJ-11 Battery Charger to charge the batteries externally. The fact that one can charge via a USB-C port is great but that mode of charging is not good as one cannot charge other batteries at the same time without other extra purchases.
Street Photography and Travel as Affecting Batteries Usage
The Ricoh GR III and GR IIIx are very much popularized among street photographers and travelers due to their low weight, stealthy nature as well as the image quality they produce while shooting. However, not only these two groups appreciate the cameras for ease of use, but there is a problem associated with them—battery life especially considering long shooting and or power unavailability. Imagine this scenario for instance;
Street Photography:
Street photographers are often characterized by spontaneity, preparedness and a sophisticated use of a camera, which is usually kept at the ready. Such photographers need a camera that is quick in focusing and as well discreet. Cameras from the GR series fit that description perfectly, however at times their operational time in between charges is a limitation. Street photographers often talk about how a camera regardless of its battery life can withstand a full day of shoot activities without numerous interruptions unless the photographer is shooting and or composing shots actively during most part of the day ruining the images’ strain.
It has been observed by some street photographers that they have started shooting in a more disciplined manner and done away with the electronic viewfinder, or LCD screen for assessing pictures in order to save battery power. Also, the camera settings have to be used judiciously. As a result, the battery can be made to last longer, yet most people also encourage the carrying of at least two spare batteries.
Travel Photography
The power sockets may not always be conveniently available for travel photographers; hence, the relatively short battery life of the Ricoh GR III and GR IIIx may be a drawback. On the accompanying note, the camera’s dimensions and mass make it suitable for traveling, the requirement to have a number of extra batteries may spoil the benefit of the camera’s portability.
Most travelers also suggest bringing a portable battery charger besides extra batteries since the camera has a USB-C charging port which is a big plus for every traveler. Although the latter is less of an issue with the option of powering up by charging from a power bank during idle periods, or in a hotel without external connections, it still caters for the on the go lifestyle.
Relative Strength of GR Series in Comparison with Mirrorless Cameras
Undoubtedly, when we talk about the battery duration of Ricoh GR III and GR IIIx and when it comes to other mirrorless cameras, the first thing that comes to mind is that, the GR is a compact and fixed lens camera. Cabin baggage this is positioned anywhere between a point and shoot camera and a bigger mirror less system.
Mirrorless Cameras:
In the present day, many of the modern mirrorless cameras bearing A6000 series by Sony or X-T30 by Fuji, offer better battery backup in this aspect. These often have big batteries and do not hesitate to go for a detachable battery grip for longer shooting intervals. On the other hand, the Ricoh GR is so small and light that its design is perfect with no relation to the need for additional power sources, which makes it a go-to camera for people who are bought by the design instead of the battery life.
Third Party Battery Solutions: Do They Really Work?
With considering the shooting time of Ricoh GR series, it is not a surprise that more owners tend to explore third party battery solutions to cut costs and shoot longer. Although these are produced due to the competitive market, there are relatively cheap copies of original Ricoh DB-110 battery, which have some risks and disadvantages.
Benefits of Using Third-party Batteries:
Reduce expenses: It is apparent that non-branded system batteries tend to cost far less than brand Ricoh batteries thus making it possible for the photographer who uses a lot of cameras or shoots a lot of films to buy extra batteries within a short time without a lot of expenses.
Easy to Find: Third party battery options are mostly in multi-pack format and are easy to find for most if not all users thus they are inviting for those who shoot frequently.
Disadvantages of Third Party Batteries:
Might Be of Inferior Quality: Some third party batteries could last ‘shorter’ that Ricoh own batteries or may even be long lasting but do wear down quickly.
Conformance Problems: Most of those third party batteries work quite well but sporadic problems such as non-communicating batteries or batteries that charge when the camera doesn’t are reported.
Terrorism: Depending on battery types, there might be issues associated with heat production and even battery leakage in the course of operations, such batteries might even work under extreme conditions such as high temperatures.
Future Prospects: What Else Can Ricoh Do To Enhance The Battery Life?
In the long run, it is possible that Ricoh GR series will incorporate better batteries in the future versions. One way could be the use of batteries with higher capacity without increasing their size. Or, Ricoh could optimize even more the camera’s architecture power management in terms of its components, for instance, the heat of autofocus, stabilization, or even wi-fi would require lower power.
Nevertheless, due to the compact dimensions of Ricoh GR series, it might be difficult to attain drastic improvements in battery performance without limiting the appealing size of these cameras. For the time being, the most effective strategy is to manage battery usage sensibly, purchase extra batteries, and utilize a USB-C wire.
Conclusion
One aspect of the Ricoh GR III and GR IIIx that draws a deep ambivalence from photographers is the battery life. Typically for a camera of such dimensions the shot battery life of 200-250 shots is what one would expect. However, it can be straining sometimes, particularly for street shooters or tourists who wish to shoot extensively for a period of time without the camera being put away. The DB-110 battery, while diminutive and smart, does not come without its challenges of power management – one almost always has to carry more than one spare or an external battery.
In spite of these restrictions, the Ricoh GR image quality, optimized bulk and all the features are the reasons why this camera is extremely popular among the photographers who do not want to attract attention or weight. A few power saving techniques, such as turning down the screen brightness, switching airplane mode on, and setting the camera to sleep, would enable one to preserve the already limited battery and make full use of this amazing little camera.
All this to say that the Ricoh GR series is still a lot of compact and powerful digital cameras available now, and yes, their battery life requires some planning ahead but for a large number of users this is a compromise worth taking. The Ricoh GR III and GR IIIx combine exceptional image quality with compactness and efficiency, but only bring a few extra batteries or a mobile charger.