• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Ricoh GR advantages over Pentax K-3

  • Less expensive
    $799 vs $1150 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 3.91 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 77 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/180 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Longer exposure
    300 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 75 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax K-3 advantages over Ricoh GR

  • 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Fast startup
    ~0.90 vs 1.6 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,216 vs 972 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 560 vs 290 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.14 vs 0.28 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.4 vs 16.2 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
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs None
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.1 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    7.1 fps vs 6.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    24 vs 4 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
    51200 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
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-3

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.

  • Top-notch image quality; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Unique on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots; Optional Wi-Fi remote control

  • AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a DSLR; Rather dated-looking menu system; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors; Less third-party support than some rivals

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Ricoh GR
Nikon D7100
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup
Pentax K-3
Nikon D7100
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to 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
Pentax K-3
Nikon Coolpix A
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon D5300

Ricoh GR
Nikon D5300
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Pentax K-3
Nikon D5300
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Fast startup

Compared to Ricoh GR II

Ricoh GR
Ricoh GR II
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Pentax K-3
Ricoh GR II
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compared to Fujifilm X70

Ricoh GR
Fujifilm X70
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Integrated ND filter
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Pentax K-3
Fujifilm X70
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen
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