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Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony HX30V

Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
35
Overall
34
Ricoh GR Digital III front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony HX30V Key Specs

Ricoh GR Digital III
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28mm (F1.9) lens
  • 208g - 109 x 59 x 26mm
  • Revealed July 2009
  • Renewed by Ricoh GR Digital IV
Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Introduced February 2012
  • Previous Model is Sony HX20V
  • Replacement is Sony HX50V
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Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony HX30V Overview

The following is a in depth assessment of the Ricoh GR Digital III and Sony HX30V, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Ricoh and Sony. There exists a crucial gap among the sensor resolutions of the GR Digital III (10MP) and HX30V (18MP) and the GR Digital III (1/1.7") and HX30V (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The GR Digital III was released 3 years prior to the HX30V which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a simple summary of how the GR Digital III grades vs the HX30V when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh GR Digital III over the Sony HX30V

 GR Digital III HX30V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Ricoh GR Digital III

 HX30V GR Digital III 
IntroducedFebruary 2012July 2009Newer by 31 months
Screen resolution922k920kClearer screen (+2k dot)

Common features in the Ricoh GR Digital III and Sony HX30V

 GR Digital III HX30V 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Ricoh GR Digital III offers outside dimensions of 109mm x 59mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) while the Sony HX30V has proportions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Analyze the Ricoh GR Digital III and Sony HX30V in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the GR Digital III compared to the HX30V.

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GR Digital III and HX30V is 92 and 90 respectively.

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to see the gap in sensor dimensions only by looking through specifications. The image here should provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the GR Digital III and HX30V.

Plainly, each of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The GR Digital III featuring a bigger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Sony HX30V will provide you with more detail as a result of its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged GR Digital III will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III Portrait photography factors
Sony HX30V Portrait photography factors
40
you can focus manually
delivers RAW files
low resolution sensor (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
45
manual focus
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III as a Street photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Street photography camera
55
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (254 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Ricoh GR Digital III
Sports photography with Sony HX30V
17
fixed focal length (28mm)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect auto focus
49
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Ricoh GR Digital III
Travel photography with Sony HX30V
63
flash built-in
good max aperture (f1.9)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
69
lighter than competition (254 grams)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
no Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III Landscape photography factors
Sony HX30V Landscape photography factors
45
you can focus manually
good max aperture (f1.9)
screen size is decent (3")
delivers RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (28mm)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
50
manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III Vlogging info
Sony HX30V Vlogging info
25
good max aperture (f1.9)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
missing external mic jack
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (254g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no external mic socket
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Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh GR Digital III and Sony HX30V
 Ricoh GR Digital IIISony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Make Ricoh Sony
Model Ricoh GR Digital III Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-07-27 2012-02-28
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by GR engine III BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28mm (1x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/1.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 920k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 1 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m 7.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Manual Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 208 grams (0.46 lbs) 254 grams (0.56 lbs)
Physical dimensions 109 x 59 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 320 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $399 $420