Olympus SZ-15 vs Ricoh GR Digital III

Here is a in depth comparison of the Olympus SZ-15 and Ricoh GR Digital III, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Ricoh. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the SZ-15 (16MP) and GR Digital III (10MP) and the SZ-15 (1/2.3") and GR Digital III (1/1.7") possess totally different sensor sizes.

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The SZ-15 was introduced 3 years later than the GR Digital III and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise summation of how the SZ-15 grades vs the GR Digital III for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

The following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SZ-15 & Ricoh GR Digital III. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-15 Gallery & Ricoh GR Digital III Gallery.

In case you're going to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-15 has outer dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") along with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Ricoh GR Digital III has measurements of 109mm x 59mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SZ-15 and Ricoh GR Digital III in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the SZ-15 vs the GR Digital III.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-15 and GR Digital III is 88 and 92 respectively.

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to see the gap between sensor sizing simply by looking at technical specs. The visual underneath will provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-15 and GR Digital III.

As you have seen, both of these cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SZ-15 using its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field tougher and the Olympus SZ-15 will give more detail using its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures much more aggressively. The newer SZ-15 will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.