Pentax K-500 vs Ricoh GR III

Cameras
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Pentax K-500 vs Ricoh GR III

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APS-C 372.1mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-500 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-500.

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

Pentax K-500 advantages over Ricoh GR III

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
Bigger pixels
~ 4.81 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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

710 vs 200 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Faster JPEG shooting
6.0 fps vs 4.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Ricoh GR III advantages over Pentax K-500

Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
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 71 mm
Thinner
Newer
6 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More pixels
24.2 vs 16.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Longer exposure
1200 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 30 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 51200 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
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
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
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
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
HDMI out
Neither provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-500 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GR III User Reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-500

Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm Lenses

Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm Lenses
Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All K-500 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Ricoh GR III

Ricoh GR III

All GR III Deals

Review Excerpt

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax K-500, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Pentax K-500 First Shots

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 Sony A57

Pentax K-500

Sony A57

$597
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$800
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Sony A57

Ricoh GR III

Sony A57

$1221
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Sony A57

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Pentax K-500

Pentax K-5 IIs

$597
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$497
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Top deck display

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Ricoh GR III

Pentax K-5 IIs

$1221
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$497
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Bigger pixels

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Sony A58

Pentax K-500

Sony A58

$597
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$598
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Sony A58

Ricoh GR III

Sony A58

$1221
APS-C

Touchscreen
Fast startup

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Sony A58

Compared to Canon T5i

Pentax K-500

Canon T5i

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$539
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Canon T5i

Ricoh GR III

Canon T5i

$1221
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$539
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Canon T5i

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Pentax K-500

Pentax K-S1

$597
APS-C

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

$502
APS-C

HDMI out
More pixels

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-S1

Ricoh GR III

Pentax K-S1

$1221
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$502
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Pentax K-S1

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