Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh GR Digital IV

Below, we will be looking at the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Ricoh GR Digital IV, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Pentax and Ricoh. There exists a significant gap among the sensor resolutions of the WG-3 GPS (16MP) and GR Digital IV (10MP) and the WG-3 GPS (1/2.3") and GR Digital IV (1/1.7") feature totally different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The WG-3 GPS was announced 23 months later than the GR Digital IV which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a short introduction of how the WG-3 GPS matches up versus the GR Digital IV with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax WG-3 GPS and Ricoh GR Digital IV. The whole galleries are provided at Pentax WG-3 GPS Gallery and Ricoh GR Digital IV Gallery.

If you're aiming to lug around your camera, you have to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax WG-3 GPS offers external measurements of 125mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs) while the Ricoh GR Digital IV has sizing of 109mm x 59mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs).

Check the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Ricoh GR Digital IV in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you use during that time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the WG-3 GPS and the GR Digital IV.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the WG-3 GPS and GR Digital IV is 90 and 92 respectively.

Typically, it can be hard to visualise the difference in sensor measurements only by going through specs. The graphic underneath will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-3 GPS and GR Digital IV.

All in all, the two cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The WG-3 GPS having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Pentax WG-3 GPS will produce greater detail with its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The younger WG-3 GPS is going to have an edge in sensor innovation.