Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Ricoh GR Digital III

Lets look much closer at the Olympus SP-800 UZ and Ricoh GR Digital III, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Ricoh. There is a considerable difference between the image resolutions of the SP-800 UZ (14MP) and GR Digital III (10MP) and the SP-800 UZ (1/2.3") and GR Digital III (1/1.7") posses different sensor sizing.

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The SP-800 UZ was brought out 7 months later than the GR Digital III which means that they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a complete comparison, here is a concise summation of how the SP-800 UZ matches up versus the GR Digital III in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

This is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus SP-800 UZ & Ricoh GR Digital III. The entire galleries are available at Olympus SP-800 UZ Gallery & Ricoh GR Digital III Gallery.

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SP-800 UZ features outside measurements of 110mm x 90mm x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") having a weight of 455 grams (1.00 lbs) and the Ricoh GR Digital III has dimensions of 109mm x 59mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SP-800 UZ and Ricoh GR Digital III in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the SP-800 UZ versus the GR Digital III.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-800 UZ and GR Digital III is 69 and 92 respectively.

Often, it is tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizing merely by looking at specs. The graphic below should provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-800 UZ and GR Digital III.

All in all, both of those cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SP-800 UZ due to its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF tougher and the Olympus SP-800 UZ will give you more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop images more aggressively. The more modern SP-800 UZ should have an advantage in sensor tech.