Leica Q vs Ricoh GR III
- Full frame
- 24 megapixels
- Fixed lens
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Overall -
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Imaging -
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Features -
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Price
Leica Q vs Ricoh GR III: a Complete Review and Comparison
Are you looking for the best camera to suit your needs? Due to a wide range of options, making a wise and weighted decision can be rather challenging. Which specs to keep in mind? What are the key pros and cons of each model? This comparison should give some helpful hints!
In this review, we are going to provide a detailed evaluation and comparison of two different camera models that fall into the same category - Large Sensor Compact. Although these cameras are from the same category, they were introduced by different brands - Leica and Ricoh. Although Leica Q and Ricoh GR III cameras that we are going to review here have significant distinctive features, they also have something in common. Thus, the first common trait of both models is sensor. These cameras feature identical 24.0 MP CMOS sensors.
To get started, let’s take a look at some of the key features of Leica Q and Ricoh GR III and, after this, we can go on to our detailed comparison of these models.
Leica Q Key Features:
- 24.0 MP Full frame CMOS sensor
- ISO 100 - 50000
- Image Stabilization: Yes
- 3″ Fixed Type Screen
- ViewFinder: Yes
- 10.0 fps Continuous Shooting
- Video: 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
- Built-in Wireless: Yes
- Dimensions: 130 x 80 x 93 mm
- Weight: 640 g
- Environmental Sealing: No
- Built-in GPS: No
- Also known as Leica Typ 116
Ricoh GR III Key Features:
- 24.0 MP APS-C CMOS sensor
- Image Stabilization: Yes
- 3″ Fixed Type Screen
- ViewFinder: Yes
- fps Continuous Shooting
- Video: 1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
- Built-in Wireless: Yes
- Dimensions: 109 x 62 x 33 mm
- Weight: 257 g
- Environmental Sealing: No
- Built-in GPS: No
Why is Leica Q a better choice than Ricoh GR III
| Timelapse Recording | Yes vs No | Creative shooting |
| Sensor Area | 864 mm2 vs 366.6 mm2 | 57.6% larger pixel area |
| Continuous Shooting | 10 fps vs No fps | 10 fps faster |
| Max Shutter Speed | 1/16000 vs 1/4000 | Faster shutter speed |
| Screen Resolution | 1,040k dots vs 1,037k dots | 0.3% higher resolution screen |
What are the key reasons to pick Ricoh GR III over Leica Q
| Weight | 257 g vs 640 g | 383 g lighter |
Key PROs of Leica Q and Ricoh GR III
| Touch Screen | Yes | Yes | Easy control of camera functions |
| Screen Size | 3″ | 3″ | Large display |
| Screen Resolution | 1,040k dots | 1,037k dots | High resolution screen |
| Viewfinder | Electronic | Optical (optional) | Better framing and control |
| Raw Support | Yes | Yes | Better image quality |
| Sensor Resolution | 24.0 MP | 24.0 MP | Bigger prints and more details |
| AutoFocus Face Detection | Yes | Yes | Very handy for portraits |
| Bracketing | Yes | Yes | Useful for tough lighting conditions and HDR |
| Image Stabilization | Yes | Yes | Built-in stabilization |
Key CONs of Leica Q and Ricoh GR III
| Screen Type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type | No flexible viewing angles |
| Microphone Port | No | No | No microphone port |
| Headphone Port | No | No | No headphone port |
| Built-In Flash | No | No | No built-in flash |
| Environmental Sealing | No | No | No environmental sealing |
Leica Q vs Ricoh GR III: Comparing Two Models By Physical Characteristics
Before heading straight to the technical characteristics of each model, let’s start with comparing their physical specs. Let’s start with looking at the physical difference of the two products. Below are images that clearly show the sizes of Leica Q and Ricoh GR III from the front view.
Now, let’s go on and see how the reviewed models are different or similar by the top view.
After looking at these images, you should get a clear idea of each model’s dimensions and how they are different from each other. However, we are not going to stop there. The next characteristic worth looking at is the weight. Of course, not every photographer is concerned about the weight, for example, it wouldn't be a decisive point for those who shoot in a studio. However, it is still an important factor because if you happen to go on a long photo session or just love having the camera with you wherever you go, you want to be sure that the chosen model isn't too heavy.
Speaking of weight, Ricoh GR III is a lighter option of these two, as it weights 383g less than the Leica Q. This difference, in fact, can become a significant disadvantage for the photographers, who prefer to have their cameras with them wherever they go.
Comparing Leica Q and Ricoh GR III by the type of Sensor and Resolution
Sensor is, without a doubt, the most significant element of every digital camera. Its type, size, and resolution are the factors that define the quality of future shots. Thus, it is barely possible to pick a suitable camera without looking at these specs.
Are Leica Q and Ricoh GR III any different in terms of sensor type?
In terms of sensor type and resolution, these models are identical. Both Leica Q and Ricoh GR III come equipped with the same CMOS that has a resolution of 24.0 MP. Thus, if you are wondering, which option to choose, this is not a factor you should be looking at.
Take a look below to find the comparison of Leica Q and Ricoh GR III by the size of their sensors.
One more distinctive feature of compared models is the sensor size. Leica Q has a sensor area 0.4x bigger compared to Ricoh GR III. What does it mean? This basically means that if you these cameras them with the same aperture and focal length, the first model will give you more control in terms of the blurry background and depth of field.
For Which Fields Of Photography Are Leica Q and Ricoh GR III Suitable?
If you are interested in photography or has made a career in this field, you should know that different types of shooting actually require different camera characteristics. While one model can produce outstanding portraits, at the same time, it can be terrible for shooting landscapes, and so on. Thus, before you purchase a specific camera, it is vital to decide, which type of shooting you do most often and consider an option that suits it the most.
This section of our comparison is devoted to the performance of Leica Q and Ricoh GR III in different fields of photography. Here we are going to look at the five main areas and evaluate how well each of the reviewed models performs in them. This will help you choose an option that suits your needs the most depending on your interest in one or several of these fields.
| Photography Type | Leica Q | Ricoh GR III |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait Photography |
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| Street Photography |
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| Sports Photography |
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| Daily Photography |
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| Landscape Photography |
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|
Leica Q for Portrait Photography
Advantages:
- Large Full frame (36 x 24 mm) sensor
- High resolution sensor (24 MP)
- Fast Max Shutter Speed (1/16000s)
- Image Stabilization
- Face Detection Focusing
Disadvantages:
No Significant DisadvantagesRicoh GR III for Portrait Photography
Advantages:
- Large APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) sensor
- High resolution sensor (24 MP)
- Image Stabilization
- Face Detection Focusing
Disadvantages:
No Significant DisadvantagesLeica Q for Street Photography
Advantages:
- Built-in View Finder
- Live View
- Image Stabilization
- Large Full frame(36 x 24 mm) sensor
Disadvantages:
- Big size (130 x 80 x 93 mm)
Ricoh GR III for Street Photography
Advantages:
- Small size (109 x 62 x 33 mm)
- Built-in View Finder
- Live View
- Image Stabilization
- Large APS-C(23.5 x 15.6 mm) sensor
Disadvantages:
No Significant DisadvantagesLeica Q for Sports Photography
Advantages:
- Fast Max Shutter Speed (1/16000s)
- Nice Low Light ISO (2221)
- Big size (130 x 80 x 93 mm)
Disadvantages:
- Slow Continuous Shooting (10.0 fps)
- No Environmental Sealing
Ricoh GR III for Sports Photography
Advantages:
No Significant Advantages
Disadvantages:
- Slow Continuous Shooting ( fps)
- No Environmental Sealing
- Slow Max Shutter Speed (1/4000s)
- Bad Max Native ISO (0)
- Small size (109 x 62 x 33 mm)
Leica Q for Daily Photography
Advantages:
- Large Full frame (36 x 24 mm) sensor
- Built-in View Finder
- Live View
- Wireless Connectivity
- Video is available
Disadvantages:
- Big weight (640 g)
- Big size (130 x 80 x 93 mm)
- No Built-in Flash
Ricoh GR III for Daily Photography
Advantages:
- Large APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) sensor
- Small weight (257 g)
- Built-in View Finder
- Live View
- Wireless Connectivity
- Video is available
Disadvantages:
- No Built-in Flash
Leica Q for Landscape Photography
Advantages:
- Large Full frame (36 x 24 mm) sensor
- High resolution sensor (24 MP)
- Good Dynamic Range (12.7)
- Live View
- RAW Support
- Nice Low Light ISO (2221)
Disadvantages:
- No Environmental Sealing
Ricoh GR III for Landscape Photography
Advantages:
- Large APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) sensor
- High resolution sensor (24 MP)
- Live View
- RAW Support
Disadvantages:
- No Environmental Sealing
- Bad Max Native ISO (0)
Comparison of Leica Q vs Ricoh GR III: Final Verdict
Hopefully, our detailed overview of these models has helped you consider all the main specs, pros and cons of each cameras. Maybe, after reading this comparison, some of you have already decided which option to opt for depending on your needs and preferences. However, if you are still wondering which option is a better choice, Leica Q or Ricoh GR III, below you can see what scores each of them received in five different aspects. To wrap up, we have used our unique Decision Algorithm that assesses different camera models upon 63 different factors including their price, and, if possible, DxO Mark scores. This algorithm allows us to make our verdict more consistent and objective.
What is our final verdict? Based on our comparison and the final scores of Leica Q and Ricoh GR III here is what we can say in conclusion:
According all the factors that we considered in the process of comparing these two cameras, Leica Q deserves a higher Total Score than the Ricoh GR III. Thus, if you are choosing between these options, we would recommend you to choose the first model over the other one.
Leica Q vs Ricoh GR III Table Of Technical Specs
For better understanding of each model’s technical characteristics, find the detailed comparison below:
| Leica Q | Ricoh GR III | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand | Leica | Ricoh |
| Model | Q | GR III |
| Announced | Jun 10, 2015 | Sep 25, 2018 |
| Body Type | Large sensor compact | Large sensor compact |
| Sensor | ||
| Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Size | Full frame | APS-C |
| Sensor Dimensions | 36 x 24 mm | 23.5 x 15.6 mm |
| Sensor Area | 864.00 mm2 | 366.60 mm2 |
| Sensor Resolution | 24.0 MP | 24.0 MP |
| Max Image Resolution | 6000 x 4000 | 6000 x 4000 |
| Max Native ISO | 50,000 | 0 |
| Max Boosted ISO | n/a | n/a |
| Min Native ISO | 100 | 0 |
| RAW Support |  |
|
| Lens | ||
| Manual Focus | |
|
| Lens Mount | Fixed lens | Fixed lens |
| Number of Lenses | n/a | n/a |
| Focal Length Multiplier | n/a | n/a |
| Macro Focus Range | 17 | 6 |
| AutoFocus | ||
| AF Touch | |
|
| AF Continuous | |
|
| AF Single | |
|
| AF Tracking |  |
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| AF Selective | |
|
| AF Center | |
|
| AF Multi Area | |
|
| AF Live View | |
|
| AF Face Detection | |
|
| AF Contrast Detection | |
|
| AF Phase Detection | |
|
| Number of Focus Points | n/a | n/a |
| Number of Cross Focus Points | n/a | n/a |
| Screen | ||
| Screen Type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen Size | 3″ | 3″ |
| Screen Resolution | 1,040k dots | 1,037k dots |
| Live View | |
|
| Touch Screen | |
|
| ViewFinder | ||
| ViewFinder | Electronic | Optical (optional) |
| ViewFinder Resolution | 3,680k dots | 0k dots |
| ViewFinder Coverage | 100% | % |
| ViewFinder Magnification | ||
| Photography Features | ||
| Min Shutter Speed | 30 s | 30 s |
| Max Shutter Speed | 1/16000 s | 1/4000 s |
| Continuous Shooting | 10.0 fps | fps |
| Shutter Priority | |
|
| Aperture Priority | |
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| Manual Exposure Mode | |
|
| Exposure Compensation | |
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| Custom White Balance | |
|
| Image Stabilization | |
|
| Built-in Flash | |
|
| Flash Range | 0 | 0 |
| Flash Modes | no built-in flash | Auto, Flash On, Flash On+Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Slow Sync+Red-eye |
| External Flash | |
|
| AE Bracketing | |
|
| WB Bracketing | |
|
| Exposure Modes | ||
| Multi-Segment | |
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| Average | |
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| Spot | |
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| Partial | |
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| AF-Area | |
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| Center Weighted | |
|
| Video Features | ||
| Video Resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p) | 1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM |
| Max Video Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Video Formats | MPEG-4 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Microphone Port | |
|
| Headphone Port | |
|
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless Connectivity | |
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| HDMI | |
|
| USB | USB 2.0 | USB 1 |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental Sealing | |
|
| Water Proof | |
|
| Dust Proof | |
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| Shock Proof | |
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| Crush Proof | |
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| Freeze Proof | |
|
| Weight | 640 g | 257 g |
| Physical Dimensions | 130 x 80 x 93 mm | 109 x 62 x 33 mm |
| Battery Life | n/a | n/a |
| Battery Type | n/a | n/a |
| Battery Model | BP-DC12 | n/a |
| Other Features | ||
| Self Timer | |
|
| Timelapse Recording | |
|
| GPS | ||
| Storage Type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Internal, SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported) |
| Storage Slots | 1 | 1 |
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