Clicky

Nikon S30 vs Ricoh GR Digital III

Portability
90
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27
Nikon Coolpix S30 front
 
Ricoh GR Digital III front
Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
35
Overall
34

Nikon S30 vs Ricoh GR Digital III Key Specs

Nikon S30
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 102 x 65 x 40mm
  • Released February 2012
Ricoh GR Digital III
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28mm (F1.9) lens
  • 208g - 109 x 59 x 26mm
  • Revealed July 2009
  • Updated by Ricoh GR Digital IV
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Nikon S30 vs Ricoh GR Digital III Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Nikon S30 vs Ricoh GR Digital III, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Ricoh. The sensor resolution of the S30 (10MP) and the GR Digital III (10MP) is very comparable but the S30 (1/3") and GR Digital III (1/1.7") possess different sensor measurements.

Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

The S30 was launched 2 years after the GR Digital III which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the S30 grades against the GR Digital III in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Ricoh GR Digital III

 S30 GR Digital III 
RevealedFebruary 2012July 2009Newer by 31 months

Reasons to pick Ricoh GR Digital III over the Nikon S30

 GR Digital III S30 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S30 and Ricoh GR Digital III

 S30 GR Digital III 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Nikon S30 vs Ricoh GR Digital III Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera often, you should consider its weight and size. The Nikon S30 features outer dimensions of 102mm x 65mm x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Ricoh GR Digital III has specifications of 109mm x 59mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") having a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon S30 vs Ricoh GR Digital III in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the S30 vs the GR Digital III.

Nikon S30 vs Ricoh GR Digital III size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S30 and GR Digital III is 90 and 92 respectively.

Nikon S30 vs Ricoh GR Digital III top view buttons comparison

Nikon S30 vs Ricoh GR Digital III Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions just by seeing technical specs. The pic here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the S30 and GR Digital III.

As you can tell, both cameras offer the same exact megapixel count but different sensor dimensions. The S30 has got the smaller sensor which will make achieving shallow DOF more challenging. The more recent S30 should have an edge in sensor innovation.

Nikon S30 vs Ricoh GR Digital III sensor size comparison

Nikon S30 vs Ricoh GR Digital III Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S30 vs Ricoh GR Digital III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S30
Portrait photography with Ricoh GR Digital III
25
has face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/3")
lacks RAW format
40
you can focus manually
saves RAW files
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S30
Street photography with Ricoh GR Digital III
51
environment proofing
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/3")
lacks RAW format
more heavy than others in class (214g)
55
saves RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Sports Comparison

Nikon S30 Sports photography factors
Ricoh GR Digital III Sports photography factors
29
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
environment proofing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.5 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/3")
lacks phase detect AF
17
can't change focal length (28mm)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Travel Comparison

Nikon S30 as a Travel photography camera
Ricoh GR Digital III as a Travel photography camera
52
environment proofing
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than others in class (214 grams)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (29mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
63
has built in flash
fast max aperture (f1.9)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Landscape Comparison

Nikon S30 Landscape photography factors
Ricoh GR Digital III Landscape photography factors
26
environment proofing
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (29mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
45
you can focus manually
fast max aperture (f1.9)
screen size is good (3 inch)
saves RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (28mm)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S30 Vlogging advice
Ricoh GR Digital III Vlogging advice
23
has face detection focusing
wide angle not good (29mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone support
more heavy than others in class (214g)
25
fast max aperture (f1.9)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
no external mic socket
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Nikon S30 vs Ricoh GR Digital III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S30 and Ricoh GR Digital III
 Nikon Coolpix S30Ricoh GR Digital III
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Ricoh
Model Nikon Coolpix S30 Ricoh GR Digital III
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-02-01 2009-07-27
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - GR engine III
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/3" 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 4.8 x 3.6mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 17.3mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 80 64
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 29-87mm (3.0x) 28mm (1x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/1.9
Macro focus range 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 7.5 4.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT-LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 1 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.5fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Manual
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4 -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 214g (0.47 lbs) 208g (0.46 lbs)
Dimensions 102 x 65 x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") 109 x 59 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 240 photos -
Form of battery AA -
Battery model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $119 $399