Clicky

Pentax WS80 vs Ricoh GR Digital III

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
20
Overall
27
Pentax Optio WS80 front
 
Ricoh GR Digital III front
Portability
92
Imaging
33
Features
35
Overall
33

Pentax WS80 vs Ricoh GR Digital III Key Specs

Pentax WS80
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-175mm (F3.8-4.7) lens
  • 125g - 92 x 60 x 22mm
  • Launched August 2009
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
  • Launched July 2009
  • Refreshed by Ricoh GR Digital IV
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Pentax WS80 vs Ricoh GR Digital III Overview

Its time to look closer at the Pentax WS80 versus Ricoh GR Digital III, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Pentax and Ricoh. The image resolution of the WS80 (10MP) and the GR Digital III (10MP) is pretty well matched but the WS80 (1/2.3") and GR Digital III (1/1.7") provide totally different sensor dimensions.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The WS80 was introduced around the same time to the GR Digital III which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a detailed comparison, here is a brief view of how the WS80 grades vs the GR Digital III in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Pentax WS80 over the Ricoh GR Digital III

 WS80 GR Digital III 

Reasons to pick Ricoh GR Digital III over the Pentax WS80

 GR Digital III WS80 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Pentax WS80 and Ricoh GR Digital III

 WS80 GR Digital III 
LaunchedAugust 2009July 2009Similar generation
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Pentax WS80 vs Ricoh GR Digital III Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera, you should factor its weight and size. The Pentax WS80 offers exterior dimensions of 92mm x 60mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") having a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Ricoh GR Digital III has specifications of 109mm x 59mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") along with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Check the Pentax WS80 versus Ricoh GR Digital III in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the WS80 compared to the GR Digital III.

Pentax WS80 vs Ricoh GR Digital III size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the WS80 and GR Digital III is 95 and 92 respectively.

Pentax WS80 vs Ricoh GR Digital III top view buttons comparison

Pentax WS80 vs Ricoh GR Digital III Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to see the contrast between sensor sizing purely by reading through specs. The graphic below will help give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the WS80 and GR Digital III.

All in all, both cameras provide the same MP albeit not the same sensor sizing. The WS80 includes the tinier sensor which will make achieving shallower DOF trickier.

Pentax WS80 vs Ricoh GR Digital III sensor size comparison

Pentax WS80 vs Ricoh GR Digital III Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WS80 vs Ricoh GR Digital III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax WS80
Portrait photography with Ricoh GR Digital III
26
focusing manually
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
low resolution (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
39
manual focus
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax WS80
Street photography with Ricoh GR Digital III
59
weather proof
lighter than others in class (125g)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
55
exports RAW formats
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Pentax WS80 Sports photography factors
Ricoh GR Digital III Sports photography factors
23
weather proof
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
16
fixed focal length (28mm)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
has no phase detect auto focus
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Pentax WS80 Travel photography factors
Ricoh GR Digital III Travel photography factors
61
lighter than others in class (125g)
weather proof
flash built-in
low resolution (10 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.8)
63
flash built-in
good maximum aperture (f1.9)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Pentax WS80 Landscape photography info
Ricoh GR Digital III Landscape photography info
31
focusing manually
weather proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
44
manual focus
good maximum aperture (f1.9)
screen size is good (3")
exports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (28mm)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WS80 as a Vlogging camera
Ricoh GR Digital III as a Vlogging camera
25
lighter than others in class (125g)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
25
good maximum aperture (f1.9)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
missing external microphone jack
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Pentax WS80 vs Ricoh GR Digital III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WS80 and Ricoh GR Digital III
 Pentax Optio WS80Ricoh GR Digital III
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Ricoh
Model type Pentax Optio WS80 Ricoh GR Digital III
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-08-05 2009-07-27
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Prime GR engine III
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Min native ISO 64 64
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-175mm (5.0x) 28mm (1x)
Max aperture f/3.8-4.7 f/1.9
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 1 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.40 m 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 125 grams (0.28 lbs) 208 grams (0.46 lbs)
Physical dimensions 92 x 60 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") 109 x 59 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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-LI68 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $220 $399