Olympus E-M1 II vs Ricoh GR III

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Olympus E-M1 II vs Ricoh GR III

Leave Feedback

4/3 226.2mm²
20.4 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M1 II Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M1 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M1 II.
Compare Olympus E-M1 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M1 II conclusion.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Ricoh GR III Review.
How does it shoot? Ricoh GR III in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GR III.

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M1 Mark III
Compare E-M1 II vs E-M1 Mark III
Compare Olympus E-M1 Mark III vs Ricoh GR III

Buy From

Differences

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Ricoh GR III

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

440 vs 200 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
60.6 fps vs 4.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
60.6 fps vs 4.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
51 vs 9 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Ricoh GR III advantages over Olympus E-M1 II

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.92 vs 3.36 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Thinner
33 mm vs 68 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
257g vs 574g
Lighter weight
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Longer exposure
1200 vs 60 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 51 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
On-sensor phase detect
Both provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-M1 II User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GR III User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M1 II

Body Only (Black)

All E-M1 II Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Ricoh GR III

Ricoh GR III

All GR III Deals

Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality; Very good dynamic range & high ISO performance; Fantastic C-AF performance; Incredible burst rates, even with RAW; 4K UHD & Cinema 4K (DCI) video; Clean HDMI; Dual SD card slots.
Expensive; Menus still confusing; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.
Read our Olympus E-M1 II Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Ricoh GR III, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Ricoh GR III Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X-T2

Olympus E-M1 II

Fujifilm X-T2

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Fujifilm X-T2

Ricoh GR III

Fujifilm X-T2

$932
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Fujifilm X-T2

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic GH4

$899
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

$998
4/3

NFC
Longer stills battery life

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH4

Ricoh GR III

Panasonic GH4

$932
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$998
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Panasonic GH4

Compared to Panasonic G7

Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic G7

$899
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

$498
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic G7

Ricoh GR III

Panasonic G7

$932
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$498
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Panasonic G7

Compared to Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic GX8

$899
4/3

High resolution composite
Fast startup

$998
4/3

In-camera panoramas
NFC

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GX8

Ricoh GR III

Panasonic GX8

$932
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Panasonic GX8

Compared to Panasonic G85

Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic G85

$899
4/3

High resolution composite
Higher effective ISO

$631
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic G85

Ricoh GR III

Panasonic G85

$932
APS-C

Larger sensor
Built-in Bluetooth

$631
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Panasonic G85

Compare Other Cameras?