Fujifilm X70 vs Ricoh GR IIIx — Which Is Better?

The Fujifilm X70 and the Ricoh GR IIIx are fixed-lens APS-C compacts built for everyday carry photography, but the GR IIIx is the easier one to pocket. It weighs 262 g against 340 g for the X70, and its 109 x 62 x 35 mm body is slimmer than the 113 x 64 x 44 mm X70. Fujifilm launched the X70 in 2016, while the GR IIIx arrived in 2021 as the newer camera.

The GR IIIx gives you more room to crop and finer detail in large prints with its 24 MP sensor, against 16 MP in the X70. Both use an APS-C CMOS sensor with a fixed lens, so neither offers lens changes. The GR IIIx also adds in-body stabilisation, which helps when shooting handheld at slower shutter speeds, and its electronic viewfinder gives an eye-level option the X70 lacks entirely.

For moving subjects the X70 is the stronger choice, offering 8 fps continuous shooting against 4 fps on the GR IIIx. Its 77 autofocus points also spread coverage across the frame, while the GR IIIx has a single autofocus point. Both cameras share the same 1/4000 second maximum shutter speed for freezing action in daylight.

Full HD video at up to 60 fps is the shared ceiling, so both cameras record casual clips and smooth motion at the same top setting. Neither offers 4K, so anyone needing higher resolution footage should look elsewhere. Both record in MPEG-4 and MOV formats, which keeps editing workflows straightforward in common software.

Built-in time-lapse on both cameras makes interval shooting simple without external accessories, so you can capture a sunset sequence or a busy street corner with either one.

The X70 is the more versatile camera for framing and fill light, with a tilting screen for waist-level or low-angle compositions and a built-in flash for dim interiors. The GR IIIx has neither, relying on its fixed screen and an external flash unit when you need added light.

The GR IIIx counters with Bluetooth for a persistent phone connection alongside Wi-Fi, which both cameras offer for wireless transfer and remote control. Both share a 3-inch TFT LCD touchscreen, and neither includes GPS or weather sealing.

The X70's NP-95 battery is rated for 330 shots, compared with 200 shots from the GR IIIx's DB-110, so the X70 holds the higher rating for longer outings. The GR IIIx counters with USB charging, letting you top up from a power bank or laptop, while the X70 offers no USB charging at all.

Both cameras use a single SD card slot with no dual-slot backup. The GR IIIx adds internal storage and a UHS-I compatible card slot for faster card writes, so you can keep shooting even without a card fitted.