• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 111.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax A40 advantages over Ricoh GR

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $799 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • More telephoto lens reach
    111 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 34 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    150g vs 243g
    Lighter weight

Ricoh GR advantages over Pentax A40

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 290 vs 240 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Newer
    12 years vs 17 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1229k vs 232k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.2 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    28 mm vs 37 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    300 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Pentax A40

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Buy the Ricoh GR

Review Excerpt

  • 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.

  • Read our Ricoh GR Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax S12

Pentax A40
Pentax S12
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch

Compare Pentax A40 vs Pentax S12

Ricoh GR
Pentax S12
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Ricoh GR vs Pentax S12

Compared to Samsung SL310

Pentax A40
Samsung SL310
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Manual focus
  • $230
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Wider angle lens

Compare Pentax A40 vs Samsung SL310

Ricoh GR
Samsung SL310
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $230
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Ricoh GR vs Samsung SL310

Compared to Samsung TL34HD

Pentax A40
Samsung TL34HD
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Manual focus
  • $330
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen

Compare Pentax A40 vs Samsung TL34HD

Ricoh GR
Samsung TL34HD
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $330
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Ricoh GR vs Samsung TL34HD

Compared to Nikon Coolpix A

Pentax A40
Nikon Coolpix A
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax A40 vs Nikon Coolpix A

Ricoh GR
Nikon Coolpix A
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Bigger RAW buffer

Compare Ricoh GR vs Nikon Coolpix A

Compared to Ricoh GR II

Pentax A40
Ricoh GR II
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax A40 vs Ricoh GR II

Ricoh GR
Ricoh GR II
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Ricoh GR vs Ricoh GR II

Compare Other Cameras?