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Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony A7S III

Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
35
Overall
34
Ricoh GR Digital III front
 
Sony Alpha A7S III front
Portability
61
Imaging
65
Features
92
Overall
75

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony A7S III Key Specs

Ricoh GR Digital III
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28mm (F1.9) lens
  • 208g - 109 x 59 x 26mm
  • Launched July 2009
  • Replacement is Ricoh GR Digital IV
Sony A7S III
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 102400 (Push to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 699g - 129 x 97 x 81mm
  • Announced July 2020
  • Old Model is Sony A7S II
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Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony A7S III Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Ricoh GR Digital III and Sony A7S III, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by companies Ricoh and Sony. The image resolution of the GR Digital III (10MP) and the A7S III (12MP) is fairly close but the GR Digital III (1/1.7") and A7S III (Full frame) come with different sensor dimensions.

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The GR Digital III was unveiled 12 years earlier than the A7S III which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Ricoh GR Digital III being a Compact camera and the Sony A7S III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise overview of how the GR Digital III scores versus the A7S III in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh GR Digital III over the Sony A7S III

 GR Digital III A7S III 

Reasons to pick Sony A7S III over the Ricoh GR Digital III

 A7S III GR Digital III 
AnnouncedJuly 2020July 2009More modern by 133 months
Display typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1440k920kSharper display (+520k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Ricoh GR Digital III and Sony A7S III

 GR Digital III A7S III 
Manual focus More precise focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony A7S III Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and measurements. The Ricoh GR Digital III provides external dimensions of 109mm x 59mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") along with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) and the Sony A7S III has proportions of 129mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2") having a weight of 699 grams (1.54 lbs).

Take a look at the Ricoh GR Digital III and Sony A7S III in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the GR Digital III compared to the A7S III.

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony A7S III size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the GR Digital III and A7S III is 92 and 61 respectively.

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony A7S III top view buttons comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony A7S III Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizes simply by looking through specs. The image underneath will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the GR Digital III and A7S III.

All in all, both of those cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The GR Digital III using its smaller sensor is going to make getting bokeh trickier and the Sony A7S III will provide you with extra detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged GR Digital III will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony A7S III sensor size comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony A7S III Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony A7S III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III Portrait photography highlights
Sony A7S III Portrait photography highlights
40
focusing manually
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/1.7")
71
focusing manually
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Ricoh GR Digital III
Street photography with Sony A7S III
55
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/1.7")
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
has focus by touch
environment proofing
above average high ISO (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III Sports photography highlights
Sony A7S III Sports photography highlights
17
fixed focal length (28mm)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect autofocus
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
better than average battery pack (600 per charge)
has phase detect AF
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III as a Travel photography camera
Sony A7S III as a Travel photography camera
63
built-in flash
great maximum aperture (f1.9)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
70
better than average battery pack (600 per charge)
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
has focus by touch
selfie friendly screen
low megapixels (12MP)
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III Landscape photography details
Sony A7S III Landscape photography details
45
focusing manually
great maximum aperture (f1.9)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
exports RAW formats
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (28mm)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
77
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
above average high ISO (102,400)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
better than average battery pack (600 shots)
two card slots
low megapixels (12MP)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Ricoh GR Digital III
Vlogging with Sony A7S III
25
great maximum aperture (f1.9)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
missing mic support
77
selfie friendly screen
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has external microphone socket
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Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony A7S III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh GR Digital III and Sony A7S III
 Ricoh GR Digital IIISony Alpha A7S III
General Information
Brand Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh GR Digital III Sony Alpha A7S III
Type Small Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2009-07-27 2020-07-21
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip GR engine III Bionz XR
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" Full frame
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4240 x 2832
Max native ISO 1600 102400
Max enhanced ISO - 409600
Min native ISO 64 80
RAW pictures
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 759
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 28mm (1x) -
Maximum aperture f/1.9 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 4.8 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully articulated
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 920 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,440 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.91x
Features
Min shutter speed 1s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate - 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Manual no built-in flash
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 640x480 3840x2160
Video data format - MPEG-4, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-1, H.264, H.265
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 208g (0.46 pounds) 699g (1.54 pounds)
Dimensions 109 x 59 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") 129 x 97 x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 85
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 2993
Other
Battery life - 600 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots
Card slots 1 Dual
Retail pricing $399 $3,499