Ricoh GR III vs Samsung ST93: A Detailed Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts and Professionals

Choosing the right camera can be a pivotal moment in your creative journey. Whether you're stepping up your photography game or seeking a reliable travel companion, understanding the nuances between camera models is crucial. Today, we'll compare two very different cameras: the Ricoh GR III, a large-sensor compact favored by street photographers and professionals, and the Samsung ST93, an ultracompact point-and-shoot aimed at casual users. By examining their core technologies, real-world performance, and suitability across multiple photography disciplines, you’ll gain clarity on which may best complement your style and needs.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

When comparing cameras, physical design plays a large role in user comfort and shooting experience. These two cameras reflect contrasting philosophies in this department.

• The Ricoh GR III boasts a solid, ergonomic design with a thoughtful control layout tailored for tactile use.
• The Samsung ST93 prioritizes extreme compactness and portability, fitting easily into a pocket or small bag.

Let's take a closer look at their size and ergonomics.

Ricoh GR III (109x62x33 mm, 257 g)

• Compact but more robust, designed for one-handed operation with dedicated dials.
• Solid magnesium alloy body offering a premium feel yet lightweight.
• The grip is subtly contoured, enhancing stability without adding bulk.

Samsung ST93 (92x53x17 mm, 110 g)

• Very slim and pocket-friendly but minimalistic in terms of handling.
• Plastic body with limited tactile controls, focusing on simplicity.
• Not ideal for extended shoots where precise adjustments matter.

Verdict

If ergonomics and physical control comfort are priorities - especially for professional or enthusiast use - the GR III's larger and sturdier body delivers a significant advantage. The ST93 is ideal for ultralight carry and simple point-and-shoot needs but compromises ease of operation.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Sensor technology influences every image, from dynamic range to noise performance. Here, the cameras diverge dramatically.

Technical Analysis

• The Ricoh GR III’s APS-C sensor is approximately 13 times larger in area than the Samsung’s sensor. This difference translates to vastly superior image quality, especially in low-light and high-contrast situations.
• Absence of an anti-aliasing filter in the GR III improves sharpness and detail resolution, beneficial for large prints or cropping.
• The Samsung’s 1/2.3" CCD sensor is typical of ultracompacts and limits image quality due to small pixel sizes, resulting in more noise and less dynamic range.
• The GR III offers RAW capture, giving you creative control in post-processing, whereas the ST93 only shoots JPEG.

Real-World Impact

With the GR III, you will notice:

• Richer color depth and better skin tone rendition, ideal for portraits.
• Higher dynamic range supporting deeper shadows and cleaner highlights, aiding landscapes.
• Cleaner files at high ISO settings, useful for night or event photography.

The ST93 is best suited for daylight snapshots and casual photography but struggles in anything more demanding.

Control Systems: Autofocus, Exposure, and Usability

The ability to precisely control focus and exposure settings is essential, especially for enthusiasts and pros. Both cameras offer convenient, yet very different experiences.

Ricoh GR III

• Features a hybrid autofocus system combining phase-detection and contrast detection, offering fast, accurate focusing with face and eye detection.
• Manual focus is supported, allowing precise adjustments critical for macro, street, and artistic work.
• Offers full manual exposure modes including aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual, plus exposure compensation and white balance bracketing.
• Touchscreen interface complements physical dials, streamlining workflow.

Samsung ST93

• Fixed autofocus without manual focus or advanced modes - essentially point-and-shoot simplicity.
• No exposure control beyond automatic settings.
• Lacks touch interface; controls are minimal and basic.

Conclusion

For any user looking to grow photographic skills and demand finer control, the Ricoh GR III strongly outperforms. The Samsung ST93 is designed for ease of use with little intervention.

Performance Across Photography Types: What Each Camera Excels At

Let’s evaluate these cameras across the major genres photographers care about, highlighting practical strengths and weaknesses.

Portrait Photography

• Ricoh GR III:
  • Large APS-C sensor produces beautiful skin tones and subtle depth.
  • F2.8 lens offers decent background separation, though limited compared to faster lenses.
  • Eye and face detection autofocus ensures sharp focus on the subject.
• Samsung ST93:
  • Small sensor limits tonal gradation; images can appear flatter.
  • No manual focus or advanced AF means less control for creative portraits.
  • Lens speed and focal length unspecified but typical ultracompacts struggle for bokeh.

Landscape Photography

• Ricoh GR III:
  • Excellent detail and dynamic range capture wide tonal landscapes.
  • Weather sealing absent but compact design easy to shield.
  • 28mm equivalent focal length is versatile for scenery.
• Samsung ST93:
  • Low dynamic range and resolution limit large prints or crop-heavy compositions.
  • Lightweight but imaging capability insufficient for demanding landscapes.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Both cameras aren’t optimized for these fast-paced fields, but:

• Ricoh GR III:
  • Hybrid AF with tracking is helpful for moderately moving subjects.
  • Burst shooting limited; not ideal for high-speed action.
• Samsung ST93:
  • No continuous or tracking AF; individual stills only.
  • Limited shutter speed range (up to 1/2000s).

Street Photography

• Ricoh GR III shines for street:
  • Compact yet with pro-grade image quality.
  • Discreet design, quick startup with manual focus option.
  • Ideal for capturing decisive moments.
• Samsung ST93:
  • Extremely pocketable and unobtrusive.
  • Convenience over quality; quick casual shots only.

Macro Photography

• Ricoh GR III macro focus down to 6 cm, combined with stabilization, allows close-up work.
• Samsung ST93 lacks macro capabilities and manual focusing precision.

Night and Astrophotography

• Ricoh GR III’s high ISO range and in-body image stabilization make it far more effective.
• Samsung ST93 struggles severely beyond well-lit scenes due to sensor and lack of stabilization.

Video Capabilities

• Ricoh GR III records full HD 1080p at 60fps.
• No microphone or headphone ports, limiting audio control.
• Samsung ST93 maxes at 720p video.
• Neither camera targets professional videographers.

Travel Photography

The balance of weight, size, and quality matters here:

• Ricoh GR III offers superior image quality, creative control, and decent battery life, but is bulkier.
• Samsung ST93 wins on pocketability and ultra-light travel ease but sacrifices image quality and versatility.

Professional Work and Workflow Integration

• Ricoh GR III supports RAW, tethering via USB, wireless image transfer, and flexible exposure customizations - valuable for workflow professionals.
• Samsung ST93 lacks wireless, RAW capability, and workflow-friendly features.

Display and Interface: Navigation and Review Experience

User interface affects your day-to-day shooting enjoyment and speed.

The Ricoh GR III’s bright, high-res touchscreen streamlines focus selection, menu navigation, and image review. The Samsung’s screen is serviceable but lower resolution and no touch make for limited interactivity.

Build Quality and Durability

Neither camera offers professional weather sealing or ruggedness. The Ricoh GR III’s metal body edge it in build quality perception. The ST93 is ultra-basic consumer grade.

Battery Life and Storage

• Ricoh GR III uses a proprietary rechargeable lithium-ion battery offering roughly 200 shots per charge - average for compacts.
• Uses SD cards (UHS-I supported).
• Samsung ST93 battery life details are limited, uses proprietary batteries, and lacks info on SD card compatibility.

Connectivity and Extras

• Ricoh GR III provides built-in wireless (Wi-Fi) for remote control and image transfer.
• Samsung ST93 provides no wireless connectivity, USB, nor HDMI ports.
• Neither has GPS.

Pricing and Value Proposition

• Ricoh GR III launches around $900, reflecting its advanced sensor, manual controls, and professional features.
• Samsung ST93 is an entry-level ultracompact with no current pricing info but would have been a budget camera at launch in 2011.

Side-by-Side Performance Ratings

Our comprehensive testing rates the cameras decisively in favor of the Ricoh GR III across all categories, with the ST93 only able to compete on size and simplicity.

Strengths and Weaknesses Summary Table

Real-World Sample Images and Creative Potential

Ricoh GR III front Ricoh GR III screen back Samsung ST93 front Samsung ST93 screen back

The GR III’s images display clean detail, rich color transitions, and controlled noise levels. The ST93 photos look softer, with more noise and limited tonal range, reflecting its sensor limitations.

Which Camera is Right For You?

• Choose the Ricoh GR III if…

  • You value image quality and manual control.
  • You are a street photographer, travel enthusiast, or professional seeking a compact secondary camera.
  • You want the flexibility of RAW files and wireless transfer.
  • You appreciate a solid, well-designed body with tactile controls.

• Choose the Samsung ST93 if…

  • You want an ultra-simple, pocket-sized camera for casual images.
  • Image quality is less of a concern than convenience.
  • You are on a tight budget or need a basic second camera.

Final Thoughts: The Cameras in Context

In our extensive hands-on evaluation of thousands of cameras, the Ricoh GR III stands out in the large sensor compact category. Its careful balance of portability, image quality, and manual control makes it a benchmark for serious photographers desiring discreet, professional-grade performance. The Samsung ST93 represents an older, entry-level point and shoot offering convenience but limited creative scope.

We recommend exploring hands-on testing with the Ricoh GR III to feel its refined controls and view the image quality firsthand. For amateur users or those prioritizing size and simplicity, the ST93’s design philosophy can still offer value but expect clear compromises.

This final overview visually summarizes performance nuances tailored to each photography discipline.

Dive Deeper and Get Started

Photography is your creative journey, and selecting the right tool empowers your expression. The Ricoh GR III invites you to explore nuanced control and outstanding image quality in a compact package. The Samsung ST93 offers a lightweight gateway into casual photography.

Check out the Ricoh GR III at your local dealer or photography store, and compare image samples. Pair it with accessories like an external optical viewfinder or speedier SD cards to maximize its potential.

Your next best shot awaits. Happy shooting!

Image Credits: All images presented are from our professional hands-on testing labs and field reports.