Pentax K-1 vs Ricoh GR III

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Pentax K-1 vs Ricoh GR III

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35mm 861.6mm²
36.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 204,800

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-1 Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-1 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-1.
Compare Pentax K-1 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-1 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 Pentax K-1 II
Compare K-1 vs K-1 II
Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Ricoh GR III

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Differences

Pentax K-1 advantages over Ricoh GR III

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 4.88 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
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

760 vs 200 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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
More pixels
36.4 vs 24.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster RAW shooting
4.6 fps vs 4.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
17 vs 9 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 102400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Ricoh GR III advantages over Pentax K-1

Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Fast startup
~0.70 vs 1.2 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
Thinner
33 mm vs 85 mm
Thinner
Newer
6 years vs 9 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
257g vs 1015g
Lighter weight
Longer exposure
1200 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 74 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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
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

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-1 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GR III User Reviews

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Ricoh GR III

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Review Excerpt

Unlocks the full potential of full-frame Pentax lenses; Excellent image quality; Great ergonomics and build; Very compact for full-frame; Decent performance; Fast autofocus with great low-light capabilities; Very wide sensitivity range; Bright, accurate viewfinder; Articulated LCD; Stabilization, Wi-Fi and GPS in-camera
No built-in flash strobe; Quite heavy compared to APS-C flagships; Somewhat soft images and blown highlights by default in JPEG mode; Warm Auto white balance indoors; Slow startup and buffer clearing; Small top-deck status display; Weak viewfinder illumination; Below-average battery life for DSLR
Read our Pentax K-1 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 Nikon D810

Pentax K-1

Nikon D810

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2251
35mm

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Nikon D810

Ricoh GR III

Nikon D810

$932
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2251
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Nikon D810

Compared to Canon 5DS

Pentax K-1

Canon 5DS

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1549
35mm

Fast startup
More cross-type AF points

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 5DS

Ricoh GR III

Canon 5DS

$932
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1549
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Canon 5DS

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Pentax K-1

Canon 5DS R

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1849
35mm

Fast startup
More cross-type AF points

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 5DS R

Ricoh GR III

Canon 5DS R

$932
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1849
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-1

Canon 5D Mark IV

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2249
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Ricoh GR III

Canon 5D Mark IV

$932
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2249
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Pentax K-1

Pentax K-1 II

$1800
35mm

$1747
35mm

Higher extended ISO

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-1 II

Ricoh GR III

Pentax K-1 II

$932
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$1747
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Pentax K-1 II

Compare Other Cameras?