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Pentax RZ18 vs Ricoh GR Digital III

Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
 
Ricoh GR Digital III front
Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
35
Overall
34

Pentax RZ18 vs Ricoh GR Digital III Key Specs

Pentax RZ18
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 97 x 61 x 33mm
  • Introduced September 2011
Ricoh GR Digital III
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28mm (F1.9) lens
  • 208g - 109 x 59 x 26mm
  • Released July 2009
  • Replacement is Ricoh GR Digital IV
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Pentax RZ18 vs Ricoh GR Digital III Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Pentax RZ18 and Ricoh GR Digital III, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Pentax and Ricoh. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the RZ18 (16MP) and GR Digital III (10MP) and the RZ18 (1/2.3") and GR Digital III (1/1.7") use totally different sensor sizes.

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The RZ18 was announced 2 years after the GR Digital III which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a short summary of how the RZ18 matches up against the GR Digital III when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Ricoh GR Digital III

 RZ18 GR Digital III 
ReleasedSeptember 2011July 2009Newer by 26 months

Reasons to pick Ricoh GR Digital III over the Pentax RZ18

 GR Digital III RZ18 
Screen resolution920k460kCrisper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Pentax RZ18 and Ricoh GR Digital III

 RZ18 GR Digital III 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Pentax RZ18 vs Ricoh GR Digital III Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera, you have to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax RZ18 comes with exterior dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) and the Ricoh GR Digital III has sizing of 109mm x 59mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") along with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax RZ18 and Ricoh GR Digital III in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at the time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the RZ18 compared to the GR Digital III.

Pentax RZ18 vs Ricoh GR Digital III size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the RZ18 and GR Digital III is 92 and 92 respectively.

Pentax RZ18 vs Ricoh GR Digital III top view buttons comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Ricoh GR Digital III Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to see the difference between sensor dimensions simply by going over specs. The pic underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the RZ18 and GR Digital III.

All in all, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The RZ18 having a tinier sensor will make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Pentax RZ18 will offer more detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots far more aggressively. The more recent RZ18 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax RZ18 vs Ricoh GR Digital III sensor size comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Ricoh GR Digital III Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax RZ18 vs Ricoh GR Digital III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Portrait photography features
Ricoh GR Digital III Portrait photography features
36
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
no manual control
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
40
has manual focus
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Street photography features
Ricoh GR Digital III Street photography features
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
lighter than competition in class (178 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
55
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Pentax RZ18 as a Sports photography camera
Ricoh GR Digital III as a Sports photography camera
47
amazing zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
features tracking focus
environment sealing
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
17
fixed focal length (28mm)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax RZ18 as a Travel photography camera
Ricoh GR Digital III as a Travel photography camera
71
lighter than competition in class (178 grams)
environment sealing
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long reach (450mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
63
built-in flash
fast maximum aperture (f1.9)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography factors
Ricoh GR Digital III Landscape photography factors
49
has manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
environment sealing
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
45
has manual focus
fast maximum aperture (f1.9)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (28mm)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Vlogging highlights
Ricoh GR Digital III Vlogging highlights
30
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (178g)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic port
25
fast maximum aperture (f1.9)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
missing mic socket
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Pentax RZ18 vs Ricoh GR Digital III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RZ18 and Ricoh GR Digital III
 Pentax Optio RZ18Ricoh GR Digital III
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Ricoh
Model type Pentax Optio RZ18 Ricoh GR Digital III
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-09-12 2009-07-27
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - GR engine III
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 64
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-450mm (18.0x) 28mm (1x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/1.9
Macro focusing range 4cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 4.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 1s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 2.80 m 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Manual
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 178g (0.39 lb) 208g (0.46 lb)
Dimensions 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") 109 x 59 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $210 $399