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Leica X Vario vs Ricoh GR III

Portability
62
Imaging
58
Features
51
Overall
55
Leica X Vario front
 
Ricoh GR III front
Portability
90
Imaging
69
Features
62
Overall
66

Leica X Vario vs Ricoh GR III Key Specs

Leica X Vario
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12500
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-70mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 680g - 133 x 73 x 95mm
  • Launched June 2013
  • Earlier Model is Leica X2
Ricoh GR III
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 102400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28mm (F2.8-16) lens
  • 257g - 109 x 62 x 33mm
  • Introduced September 2018
  • Replaced the Ricoh GR III
  • Replacement is Ricoh GR III
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Leica X Vario vs Ricoh GR III Overview

Below is a thorough analysis of the Leica X Vario and Ricoh GR III, both Large Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Leica and Ricoh. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the X Vario (16MP) and GR III (24MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The X Vario was released 6 years before the GR III and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Large Sensor Compact).

Before getting right into a detailed comparison, here is a short summary of how the X Vario grades versus the GR III when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica X Vario over the Ricoh GR III

 X Vario GR III 

Reasons to pick Ricoh GR III over the Leica X Vario

 GR III X Vario 
IntroducedSeptember 2018June 2013More recent by 64 months
Screen resolution1037k920kSharper screen (+117k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Leica X Vario and Ricoh GR III

 X Vario GR III 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Leica X Vario vs Ricoh GR III Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Leica X Vario has outside measurements of 133mm x 73mm x 95mm (5.2" x 2.9" x 3.7") and a weight of 680 grams (1.50 lbs) whilst the Ricoh GR III has measurements of 109mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 257 grams (0.57 lbs).

See the Leica X Vario and Ricoh GR III in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select at the time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the X Vario against the GR III.

Leica X Vario vs Ricoh GR III size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the X Vario and GR III is 62 and 90 respectively.

Leica X Vario vs Ricoh GR III top view buttons comparison

Leica X Vario vs Ricoh GR III Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very hard to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reading specifications. The visual below may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the X Vario and GR III.

To sum up, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Ricoh GR III to offer you extra detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older X Vario is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Leica X Vario vs Ricoh GR III sensor size comparison

Leica X Vario vs Ricoh GR III Screen and ViewFinder

Leica X Vario vs Ricoh GR III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica X Vario Portrait photography advice
Ricoh GR III Portrait photography advice
74
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
81
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica X Vario as a Street photography camera
Ricoh GR III as a Street photography camera
53
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competition (680g)
84
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
lighter than competition (257 grams)
good high ISO (102,400)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Leica X Vario Sports photography highlights
Ricoh GR III Sports photography highlights
54
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery life (450 per charge)
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect AF
76
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
can't change focal length (28mm)
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Travel Comparison

Leica X Vario Travel photography info
Ricoh GR III Travel photography info
56
better than average battery life (450 CIPA)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (680 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
69
lighter than competition (257 grams)
boasts focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica X Vario as a Landscape photography camera
Ricoh GR III as a Landscape photography camera
61
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (450 shots)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse function
69
you can focus manually
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
good high ISO (102,400)
delivers RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica X Vario as a Vlogging camera
Ricoh GR III as a Vlogging camera
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone jack
more heavy than competition (680 grams)
37
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (257 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Leica X Vario vs Ricoh GR III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X Vario and Ricoh GR III
 Leica X VarioRicoh GR III
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Ricoh
Model type Leica X Vario Ricoh GR III
Type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-06-11 2018-09-25
Body design Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1 and 3:2
Max resolution 4928 x 3272 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 12500 102400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-70mm (2.5x) 28mm (1x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-6.4 f/2.8-16
Macro focusing range - 6cm
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 920 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio Auto, Flash On, Flash On+Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Slow Sync+Red-eye
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 680 grams (1.50 lb) 257 grams (0.57 lb)
Physical dimensions 133 x 73 x 95mm (5.2" x 2.9" x 3.7") 109 x 62 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 78 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1320 not tested
Other
Battery life 450 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BP-DC8 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Internal, SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported)
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $2,950 $900