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Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony TX9

Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
35
Overall
34
Ricoh GR Digital III front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX9 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony TX9 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
  • Renewed by Ricoh GR Digital IV
Sony TX9
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.5-4.6) lens
  • 149g - 98 x 60 x 18mm
  • Announced July 2010
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Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony TX9 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Ricoh GR Digital III and Sony TX9, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Ultracompact by rivals Ricoh and Sony. The image resolution of the GR Digital III (10MP) and the TX9 (12MP) is relatively well matched but the GR Digital III (1/1.7") and TX9 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The GR Digital III was introduced 11 months before the TX9 which means that they are of a similar age. Both the cameras have different body design with the Ricoh GR Digital III being a Compact camera and the Sony TX9 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting straight to a in depth comparison, here is a short summary of how the GR Digital III scores versus the TX9 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh GR Digital III over the Sony TX9

 GR Digital III TX9 

Reasons to pick Sony TX9 over the Ricoh GR Digital III

 TX9 GR Digital III 
AnnouncedJuly 2010July 2009Newer by 11 months
Screen dimensions3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution922k920kSharper screen (+2k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Ricoh GR Digital III and Sony TX9

 GR Digital III TX9 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony TX9 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Ricoh GR Digital III enjoys physical measurements of 109mm x 59mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") having a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) while the Sony TX9 has dimensions of 98mm x 60mm x 18mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 0.7") having a weight of 149 grams (0.33 lbs).

Take a look at the Ricoh GR Digital III and Sony TX9 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the GR Digital III vs the TX9.

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony TX9 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the GR Digital III and TX9 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony TX9 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony TX9 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to see the gap between sensor dimensions just by checking a spec sheet. The picture below might provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the GR Digital III and TX9.

As you can see, each of these cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The GR Digital III having a bigger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Sony TX9 will give you extra detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged GR Digital III is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony TX9 sensor size comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony TX9 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony TX9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III as a Portrait photography camera
Sony TX9 as a Portrait photography camera
40
you can focus manually
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
27
manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III Street photography advice
Sony TX9 Street photography advice
55
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus by touch
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
heavier than others in class (149 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Ricoh GR Digital III
Sports photography with Sony TX9
17
can't change focal length (28mm)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
has no phase detect autofocus
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III Travel photography info
Sony TX9 Travel photography info
63
flash built-in
good maximum aperture (f1.9)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
60
comes with focus by touch
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than others in class (149 grams)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III as a Landscape photography camera
Sony TX9 as a Landscape photography camera
45
you can focus manually
good maximum aperture (f1.9)
decent sized screen (3")
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (28mm)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
41
manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
big screen (3.5 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III Vlogging advice
Sony TX9 Vlogging advice
25
good maximum aperture (f1.9)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external mic jack
32
decently wide (25mm)
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic port
heavier than others in class (149 grams)
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Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony TX9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh GR Digital III and Sony TX9
 Ricoh GR Digital IIISony Cyber-shot DSC-TX9
General Information
Brand Name Ricoh Sony
Model Ricoh GR Digital III Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX9
Type Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Launched 2009-07-27 2010-07-08
Body design Compact Ultracompact
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 area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 64 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28mm (1x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/1.9 f/3.5-4.6
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3.5"
Resolution of display 920 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 1s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Manual Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (50 fps), 1440 x 1080 (50, 25fps), 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format - AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 gr (0.46 lb) 149 gr (0.33 lb)
Physical dimensions 109 x 59 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") 98 x 60 x 18mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 0.7")
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 model - NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 sec or 10 sec, portrait1/ portrait2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/ SDHC/ SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $399 $799