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Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony G3

Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
35
Overall
34
Ricoh GR Digital III front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony G3 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
  • Introduced July 2009
  • Replacement is Ricoh GR Digital IV
Sony G3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2009
Photography Glossary

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony G3 Overview

Lets look a little more in depth at the Ricoh GR Digital III versus Sony G3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Ricoh and Sony. The image resolution of the GR Digital III (10MP) and the G3 (10MP) is very close but the GR Digital III (1/1.7") and G3 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The GR Digital III was released 7 months later than the G3 and they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick view of how the GR Digital III matches up vs the G3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh GR Digital III over the Sony G3

 GR Digital III G3 
AnnouncedJuly 2009January 2009More recent by 7 months

Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Ricoh GR Digital III

 G3 GR Digital III 
Display dimension3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k920kSharper display (+1k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Ricoh GR Digital III and Sony G3

 GR Digital III G3 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Ricoh GR Digital III enjoys outer dimensions of 109mm x 59mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") having a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) and the Sony G3 has dimensions of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Take a look at the Ricoh GR Digital III versus Sony G3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the GR Digital III vs the G3.

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony G3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the GR Digital III and G3 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony G3 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to visualise the gap in sensor measurements only by viewing specifications. The photograph below may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the GR Digital III and G3.

To sum up, both cameras have got the exact same MP but not the same sensor measurements. The GR Digital III provides the larger sensor which should make getting shallower depth of field less difficult. The more modern GR Digital III will have an advantage in sensor tech.

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony G3 sensor size comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III Portrait photography details
Sony G3 Portrait photography details
40
focusing manually
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
26
manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III Street photography features
Sony G3 Street photography features
55
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Ricoh GR Digital III
Sports photography with Sony G3
17
can't change focal length (28mm)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
no phase detect auto focus
23
image stabilization (Optical)
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,000 seconds)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III as a Travel photography camera
Sony G3 as a Travel photography camera
63
flash built-in
good maximum aperture (f1.9)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
50
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
MP count low (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III Landscape photography features
Sony G3 Landscape photography features
45
focusing manually
good maximum aperture (f1.9)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
delivers RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (28mm)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
36
manual focus
very good size screen (3.5 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Ricoh GR Digital III
Vlogging with Sony G3
25
good maximum aperture (f1.9)
does not have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
missing microphone jack
27
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external microphone support
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Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh GR Digital III and Sony G3
 Ricoh GR Digital IIISony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
General Information
Brand Name Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh GR Digital III Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-07-27 2009-01-08
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip GR engine III -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28mm (1x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/1.9 f/3.5-10.0
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3.5 inch
Resolution of display 920k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 1 secs 1 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 4.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
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) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 208 gr (0.46 lb) 185 gr (0.41 lb)
Dimensions 109 x 59 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9")
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
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $399 $200