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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh GR

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
 
Ricoh GR front
Portability
90
Imaging
57
Features
54
Overall
55

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh GR Key Specs

Pentax WG-3 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 238g - 125 x 64 x 33mm
  • Launched July 2013
Ricoh GR
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28mm (F2.8) lens
  • 245g - 117 x 61 x 35mm
  • Launched April 2013
  • New Model is Ricoh GR II
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh GR Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Ricoh GR, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by companies Pentax and Ricoh. The resolution of the WG-3 GPS (16MP) and the GR (16MP) is relatively similar but the WG-3 GPS (1/2.3") and GR (APS-C) have different sensor sizes.

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The WG-3 GPS was announced 4 months later than the GR and they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax WG-3 GPS being a Compact camera and the Ricoh GR being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving right into a full comparison, here is a concise summary of how the WG-3 GPS matches up versus the GR with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Ricoh GR

 WG-3 GPS GR 

Reasons to pick Ricoh GR over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 GR WG-3 GPS 
Screen resolution1230k460kCrisper screen (+770k dot)

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Ricoh GR

 WG-3 GPS GR 
LaunchedJuly 2013April 2013Similar generation
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh GR Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax WG-3 GPS enjoys physical measurements of 125mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs) and the Ricoh GR has dimensions of 117mm x 61mm x 35mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Ricoh GR in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use during that time. The following is a front view size comparison of the WG-3 GPS and the GR.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh GR size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the WG-3 GPS and GR is 90 and 90 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh GR top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh GR Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizing just by going over specs. The graphic underneath should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the WG-3 GPS and GR.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras come with the identical MP albeit different sensor sizing. The WG-3 GPS uses the tinier sensor which will make obtaining shallower DOF more difficult.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh GR sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh GR Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh GR Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
Portrait photography with Ricoh GR
41
has manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
provides face detect autofocus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
74
has manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/4,000s)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Street photography info
Ricoh GR Street photography info
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
more heavy than competition (238 grams)
74
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lighter than average in class (245 grams)
above average ISO range (25,600)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Sports photography information
Ricoh GR Sports photography information
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (240 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
45
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
fixed focal length (28mm)
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
Travel photography with Ricoh GR
69
environment proof
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
bad battery power (240 per charge)
more heavy than competition (238 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
71
lighter than average in class (245 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Landscape photography camera
Ricoh GR as a Landscape photography camera
54
has manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
environment proof
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
bad battery power (240 CIPA)
61
has manual focus
screen size is decent (3")
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Vlogging details
Ricoh GR Vlogging details
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone socket
more heavy than competition (238g)
30
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (245 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
lack of mic socket
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh GR Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 GPS and Ricoh GR
 Pentax WG-3 GPSRicoh GR
General Information
Brand Pentax Ricoh
Model Pentax WG-3 GPS Ricoh GR
Category Waterproof Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-07-19 2013-04-17
Physical type Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 28mm (1x)
Largest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/2.8
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 1,230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 300 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.40 m 5.40 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft -
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/4000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 ( 60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 238 gr (0.52 lbs) 245 gr (0.54 lbs)
Physical dimensions 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 117 x 61 x 35mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 78
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.5
DXO Low light score not tested 972
Other
Battery life 240 photos 290 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 DB65
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD, SDHC, SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $350 $971