Canon SX20 IS vs Ricoh GR Digital III

Let's look much closer at the Canon SX20 IS versus Ricoh GR Digital III, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Ricoh. The sensor resolution of the SX20 IS (12MP) and the GR Digital III (10MP) is pretty similar but the SX20 IS (1/2.3") and GR Digital III (1/1.7") provide different sensor dimensions.

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The SX20 IS was manufactured 12 months later than the GR Digital III so they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Ricoh GR Digital III being a Compact camera.

Before getting right into a full comparison, here is a short view of how the SX20 IS matches up vs the GR Digital III in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX20 IS & Ricoh GR Digital III. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon SX20 IS Gallery & Ricoh GR Digital III Gallery.

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX20 IS features exterior dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") along with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Ricoh GR Digital III has measurements of 109mm x 59mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX20 IS versus Ricoh GR Digital III in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the SX20 IS compared to the GR Digital III.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX20 IS and GR Digital III is 65 and 92 respectively.

Typically, it's hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing only by going over a spec sheet. The visual here will give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX20 IS and GR Digital III.

Clearly, both the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SX20 IS because of its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Canon SX20 IS will deliver greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The younger SX20 IS should have an advantage in sensor innovation.