Nikon Coolpix P7700 vs Ricoh GR Digital III: A Compact Camera Duel That’s More Than Skin Deep

When it comes to compact cameras with serious chops, the Nikon Coolpix P7700 and Ricoh GR Digital III stand out as notable contenders from the previous decade. Though both hail from the era just before mirrorless cameras stormed the scene, these two fixed-lens compacts still spark interest among enthusiasts looking for pocketable powerhouses without the bulk or expense of interchangeable lenses.

Having spent many hours testing each in diverse real-world scenarios - from city streets at twilight to close-up flora to landscapes in changing light - I’m eager to share a detailed, no-nonsense comparison of their technical traits, image performance, handling, and suitability across photography styles.

Let’s start by putting their physical presence side by side.

Ergonomics and Physical Presence: How Do They Feel in Hand?

Right off the bat, the Nikon P7700 feels like it’s got a bit more meat on its bones. It measures approximately 119 x 73 x 50 mm and weighs in at 392 grams. The Ricoh GR Digital III is notably slimmer and lighter - 109 x 59 x 26 mm and 208 grams. That’s a difference you’ll notice after just a few minutes of handling and carrying all day.

While the P7700's chunkier design enables a more substantial grip, with more room for your fingers to nestle comfortably, the GR Digital III excels in stealth and portability - ideal for street shooters or anyone clinging to pockets rather than bags.

Nikon equips the P7700 with a fully articulated 3-inch LCD screen, while Ricoh opts for a fixed 3-inch screen. More on those screens shortly, but for handling, consider this: The P7700’s thicker body allows for better balance when extending its zoom lens, especially steady in one-handed bursts. The GR’s svelte profile puts a premium on quick deployment but demands care to avoid slips or accidental bumps.

Looking from above, Nikon clearly favours direct physical controls, sporting a dedicated exposure compensation dial, mode dial, zoom lever, and a more conventional shutter button placement. Ricoh’s GR Digital III adheres to minimalism, with fewer dedicated dials but an efficient ring around the lens for manual focusing and aperture adjustments - a beloved feature for photographers who prefer tactile control over menus.

Sensor and Image Quality: Where the Pixels Count

Both cameras share a sensor size of 1/1.7 inches, which lands them firmly in the small sensor compact category. Nikon's model sports a 12-megapixel CMOS sensor, while Ricoh utilizes a 10-megapixel CCD sensor - the type famously known for delivering classic, film-like image characteristics.

On paper, the Nikon claims a slight edge with a CMOS sensor that generally excels in noise handling and dynamic range. The P7700 boasts an impressive DXO Mark overall score of 53, color depth of 21.1 bits, and a dynamic range of 11.7 EV stops. This results in richer gradation, better highlight retention, and more versatility in post-processing.

The GR Digital III is a bit of an unknown in that department - no DXO score officially published - but from pound-for-pound experience, CCD sensors tend to produce slightly punchier colors with a smoother tonal gradation in midtones. However, they usually struggle in low light and lack the dynamic range CMOS delivers.

The Nikon's higher maximum ISO of 6400 (boosted) extends the low-light usability beyond the GR’s capped ISO 1600, although in practical terms, shooting above ISO 1600 on either camera is pushing their limits. Plus, the P7700 supports raw file output, making it a more flexible option for serious editing.

Display and Interface: What’s On the Back?

Here’s where the Nikon P7700 starts flexing its muscles. Its articulated LCD provides flexibility for shooting from tricky angles - overhead, waist-level, or even low-angle shots without crawling onto the pavement. The 921-kp resolution is crisp for framing and reviewing images.

The Ricoh’s fixed 920-kp screen is no slouch but lacks articulation - adding a bit of challenge when shooting at unconventional angles. However, the GR provides a clean, minimal interface that's quick to navigate, perfect when you want to keep your focus on composition rather than fiddling with menus.

Neither camera features touchscreen controls - no surprise given their respective eras - and both rely on physical buttons and dials. Nikon’s button layout feels a bit more modern and logically grouped, while Ricoh’s lean approach doubles down on speed and simplicity.

Lens and Zoom: Balancing Versatility vs. Specialization

The Nikon P7700 comes equipped with a versatile 28-200mm equivalent zoom lens boasting a bright maximum aperture range of f/2.0–4.0. This 7.1x zoom range covers wide-angle scenes all the way to moderate reach telephoto - making it a jack-of-all-trades. Its close focusing distance is 2cm in macro mode.

By contrast, Ricoh's GR Digital III sports a fixed 28mm equivalent prime lens with a fast aperture of f/1.9 and exceptional sharpness - making it a street photographer's dream for wide, crisp images with excellent background separation. Its macro focus allowance extends even closer, down to 1cm.

If you prefer zoom flexibility (say for travel or wildlife where you might need to reach out) Nikon is your friend. But if ultra-sharp, wide, and constant aperture prime shooting is the goal, the Ricoh delivers legendary image quality.

Autofocus and Speed: Who’s Quicker on the Draw?

Both cameras use contrast-detection autofocus. The Nikon P7700 has 99 focus points and supports face detection, while Ricoh’s GR Digital III keeps it simple with fewer AF points and lacks face detection entirely.

In practical testing, Nikon’s autofocus is faster and more reliable in most lighting conditions - and the inclusion of AF tracking aids in sports and wildlife shooting. However, the P7700 doesn’t offer continuous AF or video AF tracking capabilities, so expect some hunting during video recording.

Ricoh’s AF is more deliberate and can be sluggish in low light. For street photographers who prefer manual focus or zone focusing, though, this is less of an issue.

Continuous shooting speed also favors Nikon with 8 fps burst capability. Ricoh lacks continuous shooting in the same way, making Nikon better suited for action.

Build Quality and Durability: Weather Sealing and More

Neither camera boasts weather-sealing - an unfortunate but common situation for compact cameras of their era. Both are built to solid quality standards but require care in inclement conditions.

With the Nikon’s bulkier construction, I found it feels more robust in hand, while the Ricoh’s slim shell is a little more vulnerable to knocks and bumps. Neither is tropicalized or shockproof, so serious adventure photographers should look elsewhere.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Powered and Saving Shots

Battery life favors the Nikon P7700 by a good margin: rated for approximately 330 shots per charge using the EN-EL14 battery. The Ricoh GR Digital III’s battery life isn’t officially published, but in real-world use, expect closer to 200-250 shots depending on use.

Both use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with a single slot. Nikon supports optional GPS modules, which the Ricoh lacks.

With travel or event shooting in mind, Nikon provides better longevity and storage flexibility.

Video Capabilities: How Do They Handle Moving Pictures?

Here, the Nikon P7700 leaves the Ricoh GR Digital III behind - though keep expectations modest.

The P7700 shoots Full HD 1080p video at 30fps (and 15fps if you’re into slow-mo), plus options for 720p at 60fps. It records videos in MPEG-4 and H.264 formats and features a microphone input jack - a rarity on compacts of this generation - which lets you capture better sound, a pet peeve when reviewing video on consumer-level cameras.

Ricoh’s GR Digital III offers only VGA 640x480 video recording at 30fps, with no external mic input and overall limited video utility. For casual clips, it suffices, but don’t expect cinema-quality footage.

A Gallery of Real-World Samples

Of course, specs only tell half the story. Reviewing side-by-side photos taken under varied conditions offers deep insight.

Nikon P7700 front Nikon P7700 screen back Ricoh GR Digital III front Ricoh GR Digital III screen back

The Nikon P7700’s images pop with vibrant colors and solid detail up to ISO 800, holding noise well thanks to the CMOS sensor. Skin tones render naturally in portrait shots, and the longer zoom lets you frame tighter shots with background blur, though bokeh quality is a bit “mechanical” compared to larger sensors.

The Ricoh’s images are remarkably sharp - its prime lens offering superb clarity and microcontrast. Portraits reveal pleasing skin tones with a subtle, film-like character, though wide-angle distortion can be noticeable up close. Its shallower field of view mandates getting physically closer for tighter framing.

Night time images from the Nikon are cleaner with less noise, while the Ricoh struggles beyond ISO 800. Landscapes reveal wider dynamic range in Nikon’s raw files with recoverable shadows.

Scoring Their Overall Performance

Based on my extensive hands-on testing, combining sensor, optics, speed, handling, and feature set, here are my compiled performance ratings.

The Nikon P7700 scores higher on versatility, autofocus, and video capabilities, while the Ricoh GR Digital III shines in optical quality and portability.

How They Stack up Across Photography Genres

Finally, looking at specialized applications reveals where each camera truly excels.

• Portrait Photography: Nikon edges out with better autofocus and zoom reach, but Ricoh’s prime lens produces sharper, more pleasing skin tone rendition for static subjects.
• Landscape Photography: Nikon’s dynamic range and articulation help capture dramatic scenes in varying light; Ricoh shines with razor-sharp wide shots albeit with limited framing flexibility.
• Wildlife Photography: Nikon’s zoom and burst shooting win here; Ricoh’s fixed wide lens limits subject reach.
• Sports Photography: Nikon’s faster autofocus and 8fps burst outrun Ricoh’s capabilities.
• Street Photography: Ricoh’s compact size, sharp prime, and discreet operation make it ideal; Nikon is more conspicuous but still manageable.
• Macro Photography: Both can focus closely (Ricoh down to 1cm), but Nikon’s image stabilization gives it a slight advantage.
• Night/Astro Photography: Nikon’s higher ISO ceiling and raw flexibility deliver better results.
• Video Capabilities: P7700 dominates with Full HD and mic input.
• Travel Photography: Nikon's zoom versatility and battery life make it more adaptable; Ricoh’s compactness favors minimalist travel.
• Professional Work: Neither replaces a DSLR/mirrorless, but Nikon’s raw files and flexibility position it closer to professional use.

Final Thoughts: Which Compact Compact?

So, which camera comes out ahead? The honest answer depends on your priorities.

If you crave versatility, faster performance, and decent video in a compact package - and don’t mind a slightly heavier unit - the Nikon Coolpix P7700 offers excellent bang for your buck. It’s a solid all-rounder, great for travel, casual sports, and general photography.

If your heart beats for classic prime lens craftsmanship, street photography stealth, and razor-sharp wide-angle images - and you prize portability above all else - the Ricoh GR Digital III is a distinctive choice. Its lens and handling will reward photographers who love manual controls and can work within its narrower scope.

At the end of the day, owning either camera means owning a capable companion that punches well above their size - a testament to compact camera ingenuity from a fascinating period. Whether zoom-ready versatility or prime perfection is your jam, these cameras are compelling reminders that good glass and thoughtful design endure beyond megapixels.

If you're curious about how these cameras perform relative to others in the compact category, or how they measure up for specific types of shooting, drop a line - after all, testing 1000+ cameras over the years has left me with plenty to say. Happy shooting!