Panasonic ZS30 vs Ricoh GR Digital III

Its time to look closer at the Panasonic ZS30 versus Ricoh GR Digital III, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Ricoh. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the ZS30 (18MP) and GR Digital III (10MP) and the ZS30 (1/2.3") and GR Digital III (1/1.7") boast totally different sensor dimensions.

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The ZS30 was brought out 3 years later than the GR Digital III and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise view of how the ZS30 scores vs the GR Digital III for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 and Ricoh GR Digital III. The entire galleries are provided at Panasonic ZS30 Gallery and Ricoh GR Digital III Gallery.

For those who are looking to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS30 provides outer dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 198 grams (0.44 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).

Examine the Panasonic ZS30 versus Ricoh GR Digital III in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the ZS30 versus the GR Digital III.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS30 and GR Digital III is 92 and 92 respectively.

More often than not, its difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements purely by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS30 and GR Digital III.

Clearly, each of the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The ZS30 featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field more challenging and the Panasonic ZS30 will provide greater detail having its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos way more aggressively. The newer ZS30 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.