• 1/1.63 inch 46.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 60.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic DMC-LX3 advantages over Ricoh GR

  • Less expensive
    $500 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
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/2.8
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • More telephoto lens reach
    60 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 380 vs 290 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene

Ricoh GR advantages over Panasonic DMC-LX3

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/1.63 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 1.98 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~1.60 vs 2.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    23.6 vs 19.6 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    972 vs 94 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.5 vs 10.8 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Newer
    11 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    1229k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.28 vs 0.77 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.2 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    300 vs 60 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.0 fps vs 1.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 4 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • 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

  • 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.
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

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.

The Competition

Compared to Canon S90

Panasonic DMC-LX3
Canon S90
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $430
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
Ricoh GR
Canon S90
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $430
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Panasonic LX5

Panasonic DMC-LX3
Panasonic LX5
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $550
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Higher effective ISO
Ricoh GR
Panasonic LX5
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $550
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon S95

Panasonic DMC-LX3
Canon S95
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $428
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
Ricoh GR
Canon S95
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $428
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Nikon Coolpix A

Panasonic DMC-LX3
Nikon Coolpix A
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Ricoh GR
Nikon Coolpix A
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Bigger RAW buffer

Compared to Ricoh GR II

Panasonic DMC-LX3
Ricoh GR II
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Ricoh GR
Ricoh GR II
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Compare Other Cameras?