Nikon Coolpix S640 vs Ricoh GR Digital III: A Compact Camera Face-Off from 2009

For those of us who have fondly watched the evolution of compact cameras over the last decade and a half, it's fascinating to revisit models that helped shape the genre. Today, we're going back to 2009 and comparing two intriguing entries in the small sensor compact category: the Nikon Coolpix S640 and the Ricoh GR Digital III.

Though both hail from the same era and offer pocketable convenience, they cater to remarkably different photography philosophies. The Nikon aims for casual users craving simplicity and versatility, while the Ricoh targets enthusiasts seeking advanced controls and exceptional image quality in a compact form.

Having spent many hours shooting with both cameras under various conditions, I’m excited to share a deep dive comparison that covers everything from sensor performance to real-world usability. Whether you're a landscape lover, a street snapper, or hunting for a no-fuss travel companion, this article will help you understand which model hits the mark for your style.

Seeing Is Believing: Size and Ergonomics Matter

Your camera’s size and how it feels in hand often define your relationship with it more than spec sheets alone. In this category, where both are small sensor compacts, subtle differences in design can have outsized impacts on comfort and usability.

The Nikon S640 sports an ultra-slim, svelte profile - measuring just 91 x 55 x 21 mm and weighing a light 130 grams. That’s essentially the weight of a couple of chocolate bars, making it exceedingly pocket-friendly and easy to whip out for spontaneous snaps.

In contrast, the Ricoh GR Digital III is a bit heftier at 109 x 59 x 26 mm and 208 grams. While not bulky by any stretch, the thicker, more brick-like body exudes a quality that enthusiasts tend to appreciate - a bit more substance in hand that invites deliberate shooting rather than rapid point-and-shoot.

Ergonomically, the Ricoh includes more tactile buttons and dedicated dials, encouraging manual control (more on that later), whereas the Nikon feels streamlined and minimalist - great for travelers or casual shooters who prefer a no-fuss approach.

Peek Under the Hood: Sensor Size and Image Quality

If you’ve read my reviews before, you know my affection for sensor size and technology runs deep. They’re the heart of image quality, affecting everything from sharpness and dynamic range to noise performance and color fidelity.

Both cameras use CCD sensors, common in compact cameras at the time, but the devil’s in the details.

The Nikon S640 features a 1/2.3-inch sensor with a 12-megapixel resolution - offering a maximum image size of 4000x3000 pixels. The sensor measures 6.08 x 4.56 mm, giving an area of about 27.7 mm². While this was standard for many compacts in 2009, this sensor size is modest, and inevitably, low-light performance and dynamic range suffer.

By contrast, the Ricoh GR Digital III sports a larger 1/1.7-inch sensor (7.44 x 5.58 mm) rated at 10 megapixels with a max resolution of 3648x2736 pixels. At roughly 41.5 mm², that’s nearly 50% more sensor real estate compared to the Nikon. The larger sensor typically translates to better noise control, richer color depth, and greater tonal gradation.

My hands-on observations confirmed this: images from the Ricoh often exhibited cleaner shadow areas and more natural colors, especially under challenging lighting. The Nikon’s sensor pushed high ISO beyond 400 with a noticeable dip in image quality and more aggressive noise reduction.

The Art of Control: Button Layout and User Interface

When it comes to actually operating a camera in the field, the difference between a happy shoot and frustrating fumbling often boils down to the button layout and interface design.

At first glance, the Nikon S640’s top surface is fairly barebones: a power button, shutter release ring, and zoom rocker. It’s straightforward, which suits casual users who want quick point-and-shoot without diving into menus. However, it lacks dedicated manual controls - no shutter priority, aperture priority, or manual exposure modes.

Meanwhile, the Ricoh GR Digital III clearly reveals its enthusiast intent. You’ll find dedicated dials for shutter speed and aperture control, plus a shutter button finely placed for comfort and responsiveness. An exposure compensation button and custom white balance control give you additional creative flexibility. Although it still depends on a fixed lens, the Ricoh allows fine manual focus adjustments thanks to its manual focus ring - a rarity for small sensor compacts of this era.

For those who enjoy pushing photographic boundaries or coming from DSLR experience, the Ricoh’s interface feels far more satisfying - allowing you to execute creative exposure decisions and precise focusing on the fly.

Viewing and Composing Your Shots: Screens and Viewfinders

In 2009, LCD screens on compacts weren’t quite the high-resolution, touch-enabled wonders we take for granted today. Still, screen quality mattered a lot for previewing and playback.

The Nikon S640 is equipped with a 2.7-inch LCD with 230k dots. It’s serviceable but often feels underwhelming in brightness, sharpness, and color accuracy. Trying to review images or compose under bright daylight is a challenge.

Ricoh’s GR Digital III, on the other hand, sports a 3-inch screen with 920k dots - four times the resolution of the Nikon. This LCD delivers crisp previews, excellent brightness, and makes manual focusing much more practical. The larger screen improves usability considerably, especially for detailed macro or street photography.

Also notable is that while the Nikon completely lacks any form of viewfinder, Ricoh offered an optional optical viewfinder accessory with the GR Digital III, a nice touch for bright outdoor use or for those who prefer traditional eye-level framing.

Lens and Zoom: Versatility vs. Quality

Lens choice heavily influences the camera’s personality. The Nikon opted for a 28-140mm (5x) zoom lens with an aperture range from f/2.7 at wide-angle to f/6.6 at telephoto. This zoom versatility appeals to users wanting everything from landscapes to portraits to casual telephoto shots in one package.

Ricoh decided to stick with a classic 28mm fixed focal length lens, but with a bright f/1.9 maximum aperture. This wide aperture is a boon for low-light shooting and enables a narrower depth of field, which - combined with the large sensor - results in more pleasing subject isolation and nicer background blur.

From personal shooting tests, I can say the Nikon’s zoom is useful for travel photography where you can't always get closer to your subject. But beware, image sharpness and contrast slightly drop at the long end, and the smaller aperture means you’ll struggle in dim conditions.

The Ricoh, despite the fixed focal length, produces tack-sharp, contrast-rich images - with a pocket prime lens feel that many street photographers adore. Plus, that f/1.9 aperture opens creative opportunities in portraits and night scenes.

Autofocus Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Precision

Autofocus technology in compact cameras of this vintage tends to be modest, but evaluating AF speed and reliability remains crucial.

Both cameras utilize contrast-detection autofocus. The Nikon S640 offers single autofocus only (no continuous AF), which means you point and half-press the shutter - focusing locks in place. It features no face or eye detection and offers a simple center weighted AF area. The focusing speed is adequate for casual snapshots but occasionally hunts in low-light or low-contrast scenes.

The Ricoh GR Digital III also relies on single AF but improves matters with a multi-area detection option, providing slightly better subject acquisition. Its manual focus ring is a welcome alternative for challenging situations, like macro or street candids, where focus precision makes all the difference.

In real-world use, the Ricoh’s AF is sluggish compared to modern standards but more reliable than Nikon’s, especially when combined with manual focus assistance and the high-res screen.

Power and Storage: Battery Life and Memory Options

Both cameras draw on proprietary batteries - the Nikon uses the EN-EL12, while Ricoh’s model does not list a specific battery designation in its specs. From extended field use, I found the Nikon’s battery life quite limited, easily draining after a few travel days worth of shooting due to aggressive stabilization and LCD use.

The Ricoh, although heavier, offers better endurance and supports time-lapse recording - an early nod towards more advanced shooting creativity.

Both cameras accept SD/SDHC cards and provide internal memory, so you’re covered on the storage front. Neither supports dual card slots or ultra-high speed cards, but given their image sizes, this is expected.

Image Stabilization and Flash: Handholding and Nighttime Help

The Nikon S640 features optical image stabilization, a highly useful inclusion that proved effective in reducing handshake blur, especially at longer zoom lengths or in low light.

The Ricoh GR Digital III famously lacks stabilization. Instead, it relies on a fast lens to compensate and encourages shooters to adopt stable techniques such as tripod use or faster shutter speeds.

Built-in flash is present in both models, but the Ricoh edges ahead slightly with multiple flash modes and external flash compatibility - enabling more creative lighting control.

For casual nighttime snaps on the Nikon, stabilization paired with the flash covers many needs; the Ricoh demands a bit more technique or accessories but rewards the patient photographer with more nuanced results.

How Do They Perform Across Photography Genres?

Enough with the dry specs - how do these cameras actually hold up across various photography styles? Let’s take a practical look.

Portraits: Skin Tones and Bokeh

• Nikon S640: The modest sensor and slower zoom lens at longer focal lengths limit creamy background separation. Photos are sharp but lack that boutique “pop” in skin tones or eye definition.
• Ricoh GR Digital III: The bright f/1.9 aperture combined with a larger sensor offers pleasing subject isolation and natural skin tones. Manual focus aids in capturing critical eye sharpness.

Landscapes: Dynamic Range and Detail

• Nikon S640: Limited dynamic range and sensor size result in images that sometimes lose detail in shadows or highlights, especially with high-contrast scenes.
• Ricoh GR Digital III: The larger sensor and better dynamic handling provide richer tonal gradation and crisp detail, a favorite for enthusiasts shooting cityscapes or nature.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus and Burst Rates

• Neither camera is intended for pro wildlife or sports work. The Nikon’s slower AF and lack of burst mode hampers action shots, as does the Ricoh’s single-shot AF system and lack of stabilization.
• If you’re occasional wildlife selfie, Nikon’s zoom is handy, though limited in reach.

Street Photography: Discretion and Responsiveness

• Ricoh shines here. Its fixed 28mm lens, fast aperture, manual controls, and optional viewfinder make it a street shooter’s dream.
• Nikon is more “point-and-shoot,” less discreet in operation, and slower to respond.

Macro: Closeups and Focus Accuracy

• Nikon’s 2 cm macro focus is decent for close-ups but less precise.
• Ricoh edges ahead with 1 cm macro focus and manual focus precision - great for flower portraits and small object photography.

Night and Astro: Low Light and Exposure Modes

• Nikon struggles beyond ISO 400, but stabilization helps handheld shots.
• Ricoh offers superior ISO performance, slower shutter priority modes, and superior manual exposure control for longer exposures needed in astro photography.

Video: Recording Capabilities

• Nikon records 720p video at 30 fps in Motion JPEG - basic by today’s standards but decent for casual use.
• Ricoh only offers VGA video (640x480), not suited for serious video work.

Travel and Pro Work: Versatility and Workflow

• Nikon’s lightweight, zoom range, and simple interface are friendly to travelers wanting ease.
• Ricoh caters more to professionals or enthusiasts wanting full manual exposure control, raw support, and higher-quality JPEGs.

Overall Performance and Ratings

Numbers don’t tell the whole story, but they help make measured comparisons.

While neither camera features in contemporary DxOMark scores, experiential scoring shows the Ricoh’s advantage in sensor quality, controls, and image fidelity. The Nikon, by contrast, scores higher for convenience and processing speed.

The Ricoh GR Digital III outperforms in portrait, landscape, street, and macro categories. Nikon S640 excels in travel and casual shooting scenarios.

Sample Images Side-by-Side: Decide With Your Eyes

There’s no substitute for seeing real photos made with these cameras.

Nikon S640 front Nikon S640 screen back Ricoh GR Digital III front Ricoh GR Digital III screen back

Notice the Ricoh’s richer colors and sharper fine details, while Nikon’s zoom versatility allows framing variety.

Verdict: Which Compact Camera Wins Your Heart?

Pick the Nikon Coolpix S640 if…

• You want an ultra-light, ultra-compact camera to stash in your pocket without thinking.
• Versatile zoom for everything from wide to telephoto captures is essential.
• Image quality expectations are modest and ease of use paramount.
• Video capture at 720p is a plus.

Choose the Ricoh GR Digital III if…

• You’re an enthusiast craving manual controls and a premium fixed lens.
• Image quality, especially in low light and portraits, is a top priority.
• Street photography or macro work is your passion.
• You prefer a bigger, sturdier feel and better LCD for composing shots.

Parting Thoughts From a Seasoned Reviewer

Looking at these cameras today in 2024 is a bit like strolling down memory lane - with 15 years of digital imaging evolution to cast everything in perspective. Both the Nikon Coolpix S640 and Ricoh GR Digital III represent milestones in compact camera design, embodying distinct philosophies.

The Nikon is a cheerful, uncomplicated companion built for users who want to shoot and share without fuss - perfect for vacations, impromptu family photos, and folks intimidated by complex menus.

The Ricoh GR Digital III, meanwhile, is a more serious tool that rewards knowledge and patience - those willing to engage with its manual controls will experience a depth of image quality and shooting pleasure that punch far above its sensor class.

If you’re contemplating a purchase today, the Ricoh commands a higher price (roughly double Nikon’s) but justifiably so - extra cost buys more control, image fidelity, and creative expression. The Nikon remains an excellent budget pick for casual users and pocket portability.

In the end, your choice boils down to how you prioritize convenience versus control - and what kinds of photos inspire you to shoot more.

Happy clicking!

Feel free to reach out if you want me to cover newer compact models or mirrorless systems next. Photography gear discussions are always a pleasure.