Olympus PEN-F vs Ricoh GR III

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Olympus PEN-F vs Ricoh GR III

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

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

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Differences

Olympus PEN-F advantages over Ricoh GR III

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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

330 vs 200 shots
Capture more photos
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Faster JPEG shooting
10.4 fps vs 4.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.5 fps vs 4.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
39 vs 9 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Ricoh GR III advantages over Olympus PEN-F

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)
Fast startup
~0.70 vs 1.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Newer
6 years vs 9 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
257g vs 434g
Lighter weight
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.3 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 43 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
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

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
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Adorama
Read PEN-F User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GR III User Reviews

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Ricoh GR III

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Review Excerpt

Highest resolution Olympus 4/3" camera yet; Excellent image quality for its class; Very good dynamic range; Fast autofocus; Fast burst speeds; Lots of fun creative filter options; Built-in EVF, Wi-Fi.
Expensive; No weather sealing; Mediocre battery life; No 4K video; No mic or headphone jacks.
Read our Olympus PEN-F 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 Olympus E-PL7

Olympus PEN-F

Olympus E-PL7

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$399
4/3

Fast startup
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-PL7

Ricoh GR III

Olympus E-PL7

$984
APS-C

Larger sensor
Built-in Bluetooth

$399
4/3

Focus peaking
Tiltable Screen

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Olympus E-PL7

Compared to Olympus E-M5 II

Olympus PEN-F

Olympus E-M5 II

$999
4/3

In-camera panoramas
More pixels

$899
4/3

Fast startup
External Mic Jack

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-M5 II

Ricoh GR III

Olympus E-M5 II

$984
APS-C

Larger sensor
Built-in Bluetooth

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Olympus E-M5 II

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Olympus PEN-F

Panasonic GX85

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
High resolution composite

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GX85

Ricoh GR III

Panasonic GX85

$984
APS-C

Larger sensor
Built-in Bluetooth

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Olympus PEN-F

Olympus E-PL8

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$599
4/3

Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-PL8

Ricoh GR III

Olympus E-PL8

$984
APS-C

Larger sensor
Built-in Bluetooth

$599
4/3

Focus peaking
Tiltable Screen

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Olympus E-PL8

Compared to Olympus E-PL9

Olympus PEN-F

Olympus E-PL9

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$700
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-PL9

Ricoh GR III

Olympus E-PL9

$984
APS-C

Larger sensor
On-sensor phase detect

$700
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Olympus E-PL9

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