• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic GH3 advantages over Ricoh GR

  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 1.6 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 540 vs 290 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.1 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    24 vs 4 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Ricoh GR advantages over Panasonic GH3

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Less expensive
    $799 vs $1300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher effective ISO
    972 vs 812 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 82 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    243g vs 555g
    Lighter weight
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 205k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    300 vs 60 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster RAW shooting
    6.1 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Professional quality video in a compact body; Still image quality ranks with the best mirrorless models and even some prosumer DSLRs; Fast autofocus; Rugged, weatherized camera build; Reasonably priced for its advanced feature set; Large selection of high quality lenses.

  • Not as compact as most mirrorless cameras; Live View not available during high speed bursts; High ISO image quality and dynamic range not quite as good as top APS-C cameras.

  • The most compact APS-C camera on the market; Bright, sharp 28mm f/2.8 prime lens with almost no distortion; Excellent image quality; Extremely customizable; Fast autofocus; Strong built-in flash plus hot shoe.

  • Fixed prime lens is not for everybody; Crowded and small controls; Burst performance is limited; Muted colors and cool white balance; Has issues with moire and false color.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic G5

Panasonic GH3
Panasonic G5
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Fast startup
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Higher-res screen
Ricoh GR
Panasonic G5
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Nikon Coolpix A

Panasonic GH3
Nikon Coolpix A
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Ricoh GR
Nikon Coolpix A
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Bigger RAW buffer

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH3
Olympus E-M1
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Ricoh GR
Olympus E-M1
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GH3
Panasonic GH4
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Ricoh GR
Panasonic GH4
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Ricoh GR II

Panasonic GH3
Ricoh GR II
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Ricoh GR
Ricoh GR II
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
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