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Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
35
Overall
34
Ricoh GR Digital III front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
57
Features
57
Overall
57

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony NEX-C3 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
  • Announced July 2009
  • Newer Model is Ricoh GR Digital IV
Sony NEX-C3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released August 2011
  • Older Model is Sony NEX-3
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-F3
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Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Ricoh GR Digital III versus Sony NEX-C3, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Ricoh and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the GR Digital III (10MP) and NEX-C3 (16MP) and the GR Digital III (1/1.7") and NEX-C3 (APS-C) use different sensor size.

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The GR Digital III was revealed 3 years before the NEX-C3 and that is a fairly big 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 NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight into a detailed comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the GR Digital III grades vs the NEX-C3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh GR Digital III over the Sony NEX-C3

 GR Digital III NEX-C3 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Ricoh GR Digital III

 NEX-C3 GR Digital III 
ReleasedAugust 2011July 2009Fresher by 25 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Ricoh GR Digital III and Sony NEX-C3

 GR Digital III NEX-C3 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Screen resolution920k920kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and proportions. The Ricoh GR Digital III has got exterior dimensions of 109mm x 59mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") and a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-C3 has measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

Check the Ricoh GR Digital III versus Sony NEX-C3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the GR Digital III against the NEX-C3.

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the GR Digital III and NEX-C3 is 92 and 91 respectively.

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to visualize the gap in sensor sizing purely by going through specifications. The graphic underneath may offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the GR Digital III and NEX-C3.

To sum up, the two cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The GR Digital III using its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field harder and the Sony NEX-C3 will show greater detail because of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The older GR Digital III will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Portrait photography camera
40
has manual focus
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
74
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III Street photography factors
Sony NEX-C3 Street photography factors
55
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/1.7")
80
screen tilts
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (225 grams)
lack of image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Sports photography camera
17
can't change focal length (28mm)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
no phase detect autofocus
53
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
better than average battery power (400 per charge)
slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III Travel photography details
Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography details
63
built-in flash
great maximum aperture (f1.9)
megapixel count low (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
71
better than average battery power (400 per charge)
lighter than competition in class (225 grams)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Ricoh GR Digital III
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-C3
45
has manual focus
great maximum aperture (f1.9)
screen size is good (3 inches)
saves RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (28mm)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
70
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (400 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III Vlogging details
Sony NEX-C3 Vlogging details
25
great maximum aperture (f1.9)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external mic support
27
lighter than competition in class (225g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic jack
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Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh GR Digital III and Sony NEX-C3
 Ricoh GR Digital IIISony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Make Ricoh Sony
Model Ricoh GR Digital III Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2009-07-27 2011-08-22
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip GR engine III Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 28mm (1x) -
Largest aperture f/1.9 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Total lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 4.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 920 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 1 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format - MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 208 grams (0.46 pounds) 225 grams (0.50 pounds)
Dimensions 109 x 59 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 73
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 1083
Other
Battery life - 400 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $399 $343