Pentax RZ18 vs Ricoh GR Digital III
92 Imaging
39 Features
37 Overall
38


92 Imaging
34 Features
35 Overall
34
Pentax RZ18 vs Ricoh GR Digital III Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Pentax RZ18 vs Ricoh GR Digital III Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Optio RZ18 & Ricoh GR Digital III. The whole galleries are viewable at Pentax RZ18 Gallery & Ricoh GR Digital III Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Ricoh GR Digital III
RZ18 | GR Digital III | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | September 2011 | ![]() | July 2009 | Newer by 26 months |
Reasons to pick Ricoh GR Digital III over the Pentax RZ18
GR Digital III | RZ18 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax RZ18 and Ricoh GR Digital III
RZ18 | GR Digital III | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Ricoh GR Digital III Specifications
Pentax Optio RZ18 | Ricoh 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 |