Ricoh

Ricoh Company, Ltd., founded in Tokyo in 1936 as Riken Kankoshi Co., Ltd., is a Japanese multinational corporation that has made a name for itself through innovations in imaging. Originally specializing in light-sensitive paper, Ricoh began camera production in 1938 and established itself as a major manufacturer of digital cameras, lenses, and office communication systems. Since its acquisition of Pentax in 2011, Ricoh has been one of the few brands offering a wide range of compact, SLR, and industrial cameras, as well as interchangeable lenses. With sales of approximately €17 billion (2014/15) and approximately 110,000 employees, Ricoh is a global player headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo.

Product Portfolio
Cameras
Ricoh's cameras cover various segments, from compact premium models to rugged outdoor and 360° cameras:
GR Series: The Ricoh GR III and GR IIIx are high-end compact cameras with 24 MP APS-C sensors, ideal for street and reportage photography. With fast wide-angle lenses (28 mm f/2.8 and 40 mm f/2.8, respectively), they offer razor-sharp images, 4-axis shake reduction, and a power-on time of just 0.8 seconds. The GR series is known for its compactness, high image quality, and intuitive operation.

WG Series: Rugged outdoor cameras like the WG-90 are waterproof (up to 14 m), shockproof (1.6 m), and freezeproof (-10 °C). With 16-20 MP, 5x zoom, and macro functions, they are suitable for adventures like diving or hiking.

Theta series: Innovative 360° cameras like the Theta X offer spherical images in 60 MP (photo) or 5.7K video. With Wi-Fi, a touchscreen, and easy image transfer, they are ideal for real estate photography, virtual tours, or creative projects.

Pentax models: Through the Pentax acquisition, Ricoh offers DSLRs like the K-3 Mark III (25.7 MP, APS-C) with 5.5-stop image stabilization and weatherproof construction, as well as medium format cameras like the 645Z (51.4 MP).

Lenses
Ricoh produces both fixed lenses for compact cameras and interchangeable lenses, particularly for the Pentax K mount, as well as machine vision lenses:
Fixed lenses: The GR III features an 18.3 mm f/2.8 (35mm equivalent to 28 mm) with 6 elements in 4 groups, optimized for sharpness and low distortion. The Theta models use special spherical lenses for 360° photography.

Pentax interchangeable lenses: The K mount supports a wide range of lenses, such as the HD Pentax-D FA 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6 for versatility or the HD Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4 for portraits. Many lenses are weatherproof and feature HD coatings.

Machine Vision Lenses: Ricoh's C-mount lenses, such as the 5 MP series (e.g., FL-CC3524-5MX, 35 mm f/2.4), are optimized for industrial applications, such as Basler cameras. They offer high precision and durability for inspections and quality control.

Innovation and Technology
Ricoh combines traditional craftsmanship with modern technologies:
Image Quality: APS-C sensors in the GR series deliver SLR-like results without a low-pass filter for maximum sharpness.

Shake Reduction: The GR III and Pentax models utilize 3- to 5-axis stabilization, reducing camera shake by up to 4 f-stops.

Speed: The GR III is ready to shoot in 0.8 seconds, ideal for spontaneous snapshots. Face-detection autofocus and 8 focus modes increase flexibility.

Connectivity: Theta and GR models offer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for image transfer and remote control via smartphone apps.

Industrial Optics: Ricoh's machine vision lenses utilize advanced optical technologies for precise imaging in manufacturing processes.

Design and Ease of Use
Ricoh cameras are known for their compactness and intuitive operation. The GR series fits in your pocket, features a magnesium alloy body, and a touchscreen for easy control. Pentax DSLRs offer rugged, weatherproof designs with physical dials for tactile operation. The retro design of the GR IIIx and the minimalist aesthetic of the Theta X appeal to both professionals and creatives. Lenses, especially for Pentax, are compact, fast, and built to last.

Areas of Application
Ricoh products cover a wide range of needs:
Street and reportage photography: The GR III/IIIx is compact, fast, and discreet, ideal for urban scenes.

Outdoor and adventure photography: The WG series withstands extreme conditions, perfect for underwater or action shots.

360° photography: Theta cameras are suitable for real estate, tourism, and creative projects.

Professional photography: Pentax DSLRs and medium format cameras like the 645Z are used for landscape, studio, and astrophotography.

Industrial: Machine vision lenses support precision tasks in manufacturing and quality control.

Quality and market position
Ricoh is known for its build quality and durability, especially with the GR series and Pentax products. The acquisition of Pentax has strengthened Ricoh's position in the DSLR and lens market, while the GR and Theta series serve niches such as street and 360° photography. The brand enjoys an excellent reputation among professionals and enthusiasts, but remains more niche than Canon or Sony, which underlines its uniqueness. Regular firmware updates and projects like the "PENTAX Co-Creation Project" demonstrate Ricoh's commitment to the community.

Ricoh combines innovation, compact designs, and optical excellence to provide photographers and industrial users with reliable, versatile solutions that deliver impressive performance from the road to the production floor.