Verdict
Head-to-head · Best Compact Travel Cameras

Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III vs Ricoh GR IV

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III and Ricoh GR IV score essentially the same (4.2 vs 4.2). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
Ranked #1 in Best Compact Travel Cameras
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
$1,459as of Jun 7

The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III pairs a 20.1MP 1-inch stacked sensor with a bright 24-100mm equivalent f/1.8-2.8 zoom in a pocket-sized metal body, and it is widely regarded as one of the better enthusiast and vlogging compacts of its generation. Reviewers consistently praise its image quality, handling and creator features such as uncropped 4K, a mic input and YouTube live-streaming, while noting the lack of a viewfinder, no hot shoe and only digital video stabilization. It is a 2019 design, so its autofocus and video IS trail the newest competition, and street prices have climbed above MSRP due to sustained social-media popularity. For travelers who want noticeably better stills and video than a phone in something that still fits a jacket pocket, it remains a strong, if no longer cutting-edge, choice. Buy at or near the $849 authorized price; well above that, the value argument weakens.

Strengths
  • Large 1-inch 20.1MP stacked CMOS sensor delivers far better low-light image quality and shallower depth-of-field than phones or smaller-sensor compacts
  • Bright, versatile 24-100mm equivalent f/1.8-2.8 zoom covers wide travel scenes through short-telephoto portraits in a genuinely pocketable body
  • Strong vlogging toolkit: uncropped 4K30p, 120fps Full HD slow-motion, a 3.5mm external mic input, vertical-video support and a 180-degree flip-up touchscreen
Watch-outs
  • No electronic viewfinder and no hot shoe, so bright-sun composing and mounting accessories like a mic are awkward
  • No in-body or dedicated 5-axis optical stabilization for video; the digital IS introduces a crop and softens detail at its 'high' setting
  • Real-world pricing has drifted well above the $849 MSRP because of viral creator demand and limited stock, hurting its value case
Ricoh GR IV
Ranked #2 in Best Compact Travel Cameras
Ricoh GR IV
$2,196.95as of Jun 7

The Ricoh GR IV represents a refined evolution of the compact camera series, featuring a 25.74MP backside-illuminated APS-C sensor and upgraded 18.3mm F2.8 lens with improved sharpness. DPReview praised its 5-axis stabilization system and faster lens startup time. However, the $1499 MSRP is a significant jump from previous models. The camera's control layout returns to GR II design elements while incorporating GR III's firmware features like Snap Distance Priority mode. While it excels in image quality and portability, the increased price and limited internal storage may deter some users.

Strengths
  • 25.74MP backside-illuminated APS-C sensor delivers improved image quality
  • 5-axis image stabilization with 6EV rating provides better shake reduction
  • Redesigned 18.3mm F2.8 lens with aspherical element improves sharpness and corner detail
Watch-outs
  • MSRP of $1499 is a substantial increase from previous GR models
  • Internal storage of 53GB may not be sufficient for all users despite being larger than GR III's 2GB

How they stack up

Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III

Against the others in this guide, the G7 X Mark III is the dedicated vlogging specialist. Its zoom (24-100mm equivalent) is far more flexible for travel framing than the fixed 28mm prime of the Ricoh GR IV or the fixed 35mm of the Fujifilm X100VI, and unlike either it offers a flip-up selfie screen, a mic input and YouTube live-streaming. The Sony RX100 VII is its closest direct rival: it shares the 1-inch class and a similar pocket size but reaches a much longer 24-200mm and has faster, more reliable autofocus plus a pop-up viewfinder, whereas the Canon counters with a brighter lens and friendlier creator features. The Ricoh GR IV and Fujifilm X100VI both use larger APS-C sensors for superior still-image quality and shallower depth of field, but neither zooms and both are more photographer-focused than the video-first Canon. Choose the G7 X Mark III when pocketable vlogging plus a flexible zoom matters more than the outright image quality of the X100VI or the street-shooting purism of the GR IV.

Specs side-by-side

SpecCanon PowerShot G7 X Mark IIIRicoh GR IV
Sensor1.0-inch stacked CMOS25.74MP APS-C
Resolution20.1 MP25.74MP
Lens24-100mm equiv. f/1.8-2.8, 4.2x zoom18.3mm F2.8 (28mm equiv)
Video4K 30p (no crop), FHD 120pFullHD (1080) up to 60p
ISO Range125-12800
Display3.0-inch tilting touchscreen (180 deg flip-up)3.0" 1.04M dot LCD
Weight304 g262g
ConnectivityWi-Fi, Bluetooth
Stabilization5-axis 6EV
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