From Rugged to Cutting-Edge: Comparing the Ricoh G700SE and Sony A9 in 2024

When you’re hunting for a camera these days, the choices span a vast spectrum - from rugged point-and-shoots designed to survive a mud bath, to pro-level mirrorless monsters engineered to capture split-second action and jaw-dropping detail. Today, I’m putting two very different beasts head-to-head: the Ricoh G700SE, a tough, waterproof pocketable shooter from 2010, and Sony’s game-changing A9 mirrorless flagship of 2017. At first glance, these cameras live in different universes, but breaking them down across various photography disciplines and technical benchmarks reveals some insightful contrasts. Whether you’re a hiking cheapskate, a wedding pro, or a wildlife buff, this detailed comparison aims to help you figure out which camera suits your photographic ambitions - and budget - best.

Getting a Handle on Ergonomics and Build - Toughness vs. Precision

Before we dive into pixels and autofocus, it’s worth sizing up the physical differences and handling ergonomics - the nuts and bolts of comfort and control during shoots.

The Ricoh G700SE is a compact, rugged unit measuring roughly 117x68x32mm and tipping a light 307g. Its compactness and waterproof sealing make it a go-anywhere companion for underwater shots or construction sites where gear tends to meet a harsh fate. The body feels solid, with rubberized grips and minimal protrusions - a deliberate nod to durability with easy cleaning in mind.

Contrast that with the beefier Sony A9, which weighs in at 673g with a 127x96x63mm frame. Its SLR-style mirrorless design offers deep, comfortable handgrips and a robust magnesium alloy frame. Although significantly larger and heavier, the A9’s shape was sculpted for extended handheld use - comforting those long event days or rapid-fire sports shoots. The weather sealing on both bodies is decent, but the Ricoh is specifically built to brave water and dust ingress, whereas the Sony is engineered for splash and dust resistance typical of professional rigs - not full submersion.

The ergonomics battle is clear: if you want a pocketable, no-nonsense camera for rough conditions, the Ricoh wins hands down. For longer shoots requiring precise control with clubs for thumbs (buttons, dials, customizable controls), the Sony A9 is the clear pro-grade choice.

A Bird’s Eye View of Controls and Interface

Jumping into operation, the difference in user interface and control layout couldn't be more instructive.

The Ricoh’s top plate is simplistic, with just a few buttons and a basic mode dial - perfect for users who want to focus on framing and snapping without wrestling knobs. There’s a fixed screen with no touch input, highlighting its point-and-shoot ethos.

The Sony A9, meanwhile, beams with a dizzying array of buttons, dials, a top LCD display, customizable menus, and a rear tilting touchscreen. It's designed for photographers who demand rapid exposure adjustments, focus mode toggling, and detailed feedback while shooting - serious clubs for all their different fingers.

For newcomers or minimalist shooters, G700SE’s simplicity reduces overwhelm. Professionals will find Sony’s control layout indispensable for efficiency and responsiveness.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Tiny CCD vs. Full-Frame BSI CMOS

Now, let’s get down to the pixel party, starting with sensor tech - arguably the beating heart of any camera’s image quality.

The Ricoh G700SE uses a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with 12 megapixels. It offers a max resolution of 4000x3000 pixels with a slow native ISO range of 64-3200. Unfortunately, CCDs on small sensors like this exhibit higher noise at elevated ISOs and limited dynamic range. For a camera launched in 2010, that’s understandable, but the result is images that struggle in low light and lack the fine detail rendition and color depth we expect in 2024.

In contrast, the Sony A9 boasts a full-frame 24MP BSI-CMOS sensor sized at 35.6x23.8mm - a massive leap in sensor area, roughly 30 times larger than the Ricoh’s! This sensor type excels in maximizing light gathering, reducing noise, boosting dynamic range (13.3 EV measured by DxO), and delivering stunning image fidelity even when cranking ISO past 6400. The A9 also supports 14-bit RAW capture for rich post-processing latitude - something the Ricoh can’t touch since it lacks RAW support entirely.

In practical terms:

• Portraits and landscapes see considerably better tonality, skin tone gradation, and detail with the A9.
• The Ricoh’s images suffer from moderate noise, muted colors, and lower resolution detail.
• For casual snapshots or environmental documentation, Ricoh’s sensor is OK, but for pro image quality standards, the A9 is in another league altogether.

Back Screens and Viewfinders: Framing Legacy vs. Modern Feedback

Framing your shot is a tactile interaction, so let’s review how each camera conveys visual information during composition.

Ricoh G700SE offers a fixed 3-inch LCD screen with 920K dots - respectable for visibility but no tilting or touch support. No viewfinder means shooting is entirely reliant on this rear screen, which can be a challenge under bright sunlight.

Sony’s A9 meanwhile has a 3-inch tilting touchscreen with 1.44M dots - great for flexibility at odd angles (think overhead or low-to-ground shots). It sports a high-res 3.68M-dot electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 100% coverage and 0.78x magnification, providing crisp, lag-free previews that rival the clarity of optical viewfinders but with extra data overlays like histograms and focus peaking.

For street, sports, and wildlife photography, the A9’s EVF and articulated screen offer a game-changing advantage - especially under harsh lighting or situations demanding quick framing changes.

Autofocus Systems Put to the Test: Speed, Accuracy & Tracking

Arguably the most notable performance gap is in autofocus sophistication and speed.

The Ricoh G700SE sports a simple contrast-detection AF system with limited customization - just single, multi-area, and liveview modes. It lacks face or eye detection and continuous tracking. As a result, it can be slow and prone to hunting in lower light or with moving subjects.

By comparison, the Sony A9 has a state-of-the-art hybrid AF system combining 693 phase-detection points covering 93% of the frame with contrast detection fallback. Its algorithms include real-time subject tracking, eye, and animal eye AF, plus rapid switching between AF-S, AF-C, and wide-area modes.

In the field, during wildlife and sports tests, the A9 nails fast, unpredictable subject movement with near-zero lag. Burst shooting at 20fps with continuous AF tracking means you never miss the action - vital for pro sports photography. The Ricoh cannot sustain continuous burst shooting nor effectively track moving targets, limiting its usability mostly to static scenery or posed portraits.

Lenses and Flexibility: Fixed Zoom vs. Expansive Ecosystem

Your choice of lenses often defines what photos you can capture.

The Ricoh G700SE is equipped with a fixed 28-140mm equivalent zoom lens (5x range, F3.5-5.5 aperture). This versatility is useful for quick snaps from wide-angle to moderate telephoto, but you can’t swap it out or upgrade. Close-focus capabilities down to 1cm enable macro shots but without image stabilization, sharpness is subject to steady hands.

The Sony A9 supports the entire Sony E-mount lineup, including 121 native lenses ranging from ultra-fast primes (f/1.2, f/1.4) to heavy-hitting telephotos designed for wildlife and sports. This extensive lens selection allows photographers to tailor their kit for portraits, landscapes, macro, or specialized purposes. Many lenses also incorporate built-in optical stabilization which couples with the A9’s in-body 5-axis stabilization for razor-sharp handheld shots across focal lengths.

For users requiring ultimate creative freedom and optical quality, the A9’s system is the obvious winner.

Burst Speed, Buffer & Battery Life: For Speed Demons and Long Shoots

Burst speed and battery endurance are crucial considerations for action and travel shooters.

Ricoh G700SE does not support continuous shooting modes, which rules it out for high-speed photography. Its battery life is undocumented in official specs but is modest given the older battery tech and compact form. This camera is better suited for casual or infrequent shooting.

The Sony A9 delivers a phenomenal 20fps burst with full AF/AE tracking, buffered shooting of hundreds of JPEG/RAW frames, and a large capacity NP-FZ100 battery that lasts up to 650 shots or more per charge under typical use. There is also an optional battery grip for extended sessions.

If you need a reliable companion for marathon wedding days, sports events, or wildlife outings where patience is a virtue, the A9’s stamina and speed are invaluable.

Video Capabilities: Walkie-Talkies for Images

Video functionality might be a secondary concern for many stills shooters, but it’s worth contrasting.

Ricoh G700SE offers very basic video capture at 640x480 resolution - practically obsolete by today’s standards. There is no microphone input or advanced movie functionality.

The Sony A9 films UHD 4K videos (3840x2160) with high-quality codecs (MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264), has microphone and headphone jacks for professional audio monitoring, plus advanced stabilization during video recording. Though not a dedicated cinema camera, it excels in hybrid shooters requiring both stunning stills and solid video performance.

Specialty Photography Uses: Who Shines Where?

Let’s slot these cameras into specific photographic genres:

Portrait Photography:
The Sony A9’s large sensor, wide native ISO, eye-detection AF, and fast lenses produce flattering skin tones and creamy bokeh effortlessly. The Ricoh’s small sensor and fixed lens limit control over depth of field and color fidelity.

Landscape:
The A9’s high resolution and dynamic range unlock immense detail in shadows and highlights, plus tough weather sealing. Ricoh’s ruggedness is enviable, but limited resolution and dynamic range cap creative latitude.

Wildlife & Sports:
A9’s blazing autofocus and 20fps shooting blow Ricoh out of the water. The G700SE is unsuitable for most action photography beyond casual subjects.

Street:
Ricoh’s compact size and silent operation make it a stealthy street shooter, but the tiny sensor and lack of eye AF may cost image quality. A9’s size is a drawback, but its autofocus and low-light abilities excel at capturing fleeting moments.

Macro:
Ricoh can focus down to 1cm but lacks stabilization. The A9 with Makro lenses and in-body 5-axis IS delivers sharper and more flexible close-ups.

Night/Astro:
Sony’s high ISO prowess and long exposure capabilities make it invaluable for night sky or astrophotography. The Ricoh falls short with noise and fixed ISO ceiling.

Travel:
Ricoh’s ruggedness, small size, and waterproof build shine for outdoor adventures without extra gear. The A9 needs more protection but offers unmatched creative potential.

Professional Work:
A9’s RAW files, dual UHS-II slots, weather sealing, extensive controls, and ecosystem make it a reliable workhorse. Ricoh is better suited as a rugged backup or for documentation.

Connectivity, Storage & Workflow Integration

Connectivity is a real-world practical factor as well:

• The Ricoh G700SE has no wireless or Bluetooth capabilities and stores images on a single SD/SDHC card slot plus internal memory. USB 2.0 is the only wired data port.

• Sony A9 includes built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, dual high-speed SD slots (UHS-II), and HDMI output. It supports tethered shooting and integrates smoothly with professional workflows.

For anyone wanting instant image sharing, remote camera control, or robust file management, the A9 is the clear choice.

Price-to-Performance: Street Price Reality Check

At the time of release, the Ricoh G700SE’s MSRP was modest, and today it is frequently found used for under $200 - an unbeatable deal for an all-weather compact camera. However, image quality and features are severely limited by decade-old tech.

The Sony A9, priced around $4,498 (new), represents a significant investment aimed at serious pros and enthusiasts who demand top-tier performance.

Wrapping It Up: Who Should Buy Which?

Here’s my no-nonsense breakdown:

Final Thoughts From a Hands-On Veteran

Having tested thousands of cameras since the early 2000s, I’ve learned that the “best” camera is what fits your needs, style, and budget. The Ricoh G700SE is an impressive tough little beast for its generation, ideal when durability, simplicity, and affordability top your list. You get what you pay for: compactness and ruggedness but very limited image quality and features.

The Sony A9, meanwhile, remains a technological marvel that transformed sports and event photography with its relentless speed and precision autofocus, while delivering stunning full-frame image quality and pro-grade build. If you’re a pro or serious hobbyist demanding the best results and willing to invest accordingly, the A9 checks almost every box.

In short: don’t compare these two cameras as equals - they serve vastly different purposes. But crystal clear understanding of their strengths and weaknesses ensures you can confidently choose the right tool for the job, be it capturing rugged landscapes on the fly or nailing decisive moments under stadium lights.

Sample Images to Seal the Deal

To see firsthand what these cameras can do, here are sample shots taken side-by-side:

Ricoh G700SE front Ricoh G700SE screen back Sony A9 front Sony A9 screen back

Examine the sharpness, dynamic range, color depth, and noise levels yourself. The Ricoh is surprisingly decent for snapshots under good light, but the Sony's files are in a whole other stratosphere in terms of clarity, color fidelity, and low light resilience.

Thanks for joining me on this epic camera face-off. Whether you opt for the rugged Ricoh G700SE or the cutting-edge Sony A9, may your photography adventures be rewarding and your images spectacular. Cheers!