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Pentax K-1 vs Ricoh GR III

Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78
Pentax K-1 front
 
Ricoh GR III front
Portability
90
Imaging
69
Features
62
Overall
66

Pentax K-1 vs Ricoh GR III Key Specs

Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Revealed February 2016
  • Successor is Pentax K-1 II
Ricoh GR III
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 102400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28mm (F2.8-16) lens
  • 257g - 109 x 62 x 33mm
  • Released September 2018
  • Superseded the Ricoh GR III
  • New Model is Ricoh GR III
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Pentax K-1 vs Ricoh GR III Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Pentax K-1 and Ricoh GR III, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Pentax and Ricoh. There exists a crucial gap among the resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and GR III (24MP) and the K-1 (Full frame) and GR III (APS-C) feature totally different sensor measurements.

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The K-1 was brought out 3 years earlier than the GR III which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Ricoh GR III being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting through a thorough comparison, below is a short highlight of how the K-1 matches up versus the GR III in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Ricoh GR III

 K-1 GR III 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Ricoh GR III over the Pentax K-1

 GR III K-1 
ReleasedSeptember 2018February 2016Newer by 31 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Ricoh GR III

 K-1 GR III 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display resolution1037k1037kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Pentax K-1 vs Ricoh GR III Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-1 has exterior dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) whilst the Ricoh GR III has dimensions of 109mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 257 grams (0.57 lbs).

Check out the Pentax K-1 and Ricoh GR III in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the K-1 versus the GR III.

Pentax K-1 vs Ricoh GR III size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-1 and GR III is 55 and 90 respectively.

Pentax K-1 vs Ricoh GR III top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Ricoh GR III Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions only by seeing a spec sheet. The pic below will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-1 and GR III.

As you can see, the two cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The K-1 featuring a larger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF simpler and the Pentax K-1 will show more detail having its extra 12MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images far more aggressively. The more aged K-1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-1 vs Ricoh GR III sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Ricoh GR III Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 vs Ricoh GR III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 Portrait photography details
Ricoh GR III Portrait photography details
85
has manual focus
high megapixels (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with face detection focus
exports RAW files
81
manual focus
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-1
Street photography with Ricoh GR III
70
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
very good ISO range (204,800)
heavier than others in class (1,010g)
84
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
includes touch focus
lighter than average in class (257 grams)
above average high ISO (102,400)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 Sports photography advice
Ricoh GR III Sports photography advice
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high megapixels (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (4.4 fps)
low battery power (760 per charge)
76
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
has phase detect AF
fixed focal length (28mm)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 Travel photography features
Ricoh GR III Travel photography features
53
environment sealing
high megapixels (36MP)
low battery power (760 per charge)
heavier than others in class (1,010 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
69
lighter than average in class (257g)
includes touch focus
decent MP (24MP)
lack of Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 Landscape photography information
Ricoh GR III Landscape photography information
81
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high megapixels (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (204,800)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
has double storage slots
low battery power (760 CIPA)
69
manual focus
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (102,400)
delivers RAW files
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 Vlogging factors
Ricoh GR III Vlogging factors
31
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external mic port
display isn't selfie friendly
heavier than others in class (1,010 grams)
37
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (257g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone socket
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Pentax K-1 vs Ricoh GR III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 and Ricoh GR III
 Pentax K-1Ricoh GR III
General Information
Brand Pentax Ricoh
Model Pentax K-1 Ricoh GR III
Type Advanced DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2016-02-17 2018-09-25
Physical type Mid-size SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 36MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1 and 3:2
Max resolution 7360 x 4912 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 204800 102400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 33 -
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28mm (1x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.8-16
Macro focus distance - 6cm
Total lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,037k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 4.4 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync Auto, Flash On, Flash On+Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Slow Sync+Red-eye
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) 1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1010g (2.23 pounds) 257g (0.57 pounds)
Dimensions 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") 109 x 62 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 96 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 25.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 14.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 3280 not tested
Other
Battery life 760 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI90 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) Internal, SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported)
Card slots Dual 1
Price at release $1,499 $900