Ricoh G700SE vs. Sony A900: A Definitive Comparison for Discerning Photographers

Choosing a camera that perfectly fits your photography style and technical expectations requires a comprehensive understanding of what each model offers - not just on paper, but in real-world use. Today, I’ll be walking you through an in-depth comparison of two very different cameras: the rugged, ultra-durable Ricoh G700SE and the full-frame powerhouse Sony Alpha DSLR-A900. Both were announced around the same time, yet they cater to strikingly different photographic needs.

With over 15 years of hands-on camera testing experience and thousands of hours behind the lens, I will break down each camera’s architecture, usability, and performance across a broad spectrum of photographic disciplines. This analysis is rooted in practical evaluation and focuses on insights to help you make an informed purchase decision.

Getting to Know The Contenders: Brief Intro and Design

The Ricoh G700SE is a highly specialized compact rugged camera, built primarily for harsh environments where waterproofing and shock resistance are critical. Announced in late 2010, it features a fixed zoom lens, modest sensor, and highly functional, simple controls.

The Sony A900, released two years earlier, is Sony’s flagship full-frame DSLR from the pre-mirrorless era. It targets serious enthusiasts and professional photographers who demand high resolution, advanced exposure controls, and a rich lens ecosystem.

Before diving deeper, let's see how they stack up physically and ergonomically.

Ricoh G700SE: Compact and light at just 307g with a 117×68×32 mm body, it fits easily in a jacket or utility pocket. The design prioritizes weather sealing and ruggedness over grip comfort. Its plastic resin body, while sturdy, does not offer DSLR-style handling.

Sony A900: A robust mid-sized SLR weighing 895g with dimensions 156×117×82 mm, the A900 has a traditional DSLR shape with a pronounced grip and more substantial controls designed for extended handling. Its magnesium alloy chassis is weather-sealed - but not waterproof.

Verdict: The G700SE excels in portability and durability, whereas the A900 is ergonomically designed for professional use and manual control.

Sensor and Image Quality: Tiny Sensor vs. Full-Frame Giant

Sensor size and technology underlie the fundamental image quality capabilities of any camera.

• Ricoh G700SE: It houses a 1/2.3” CCD sensor of just 28.07 mm² surface area, with a 12MP resolution (4000×3000 pixels). The sensor’s modest size restricts dynamic range and low-light performance, typical for rugged compacts of its era.

• Sony A900: Features a full-frame 35.9×24 mm CMOS sensor with a substantial 861.6 mm² area, offering 25MP resolution (6048×4032 pixels). This sensor profoundly outperforms smaller types in dynamic range (~12.3 EV according to DxOMark), color depth (23.7 bit), and low light ISO capabilities (native up to 6400 ISO).

From my experience testing dozens of compact rugged cameras, the G700SE’s images are serviceable for documentation and casual snapshots, especially in well-lit conditions. However, noise, limited dynamic range, and detail resolution become apparent under less favorable light or when cropping.

Conversely, the A900’s sensor produces outstanding image quality, with nuanced shadows and highlights and excellent color fidelity. This camera thrives in demanding professional use cases - portraits, landscapes, studio work, you name it.

Who should prioritize sensor size? Professionals and enthusiasts seeking maximum detail and tonal gradation will find the A900 indispensable. Casual shooters or those requiring ruggedness and waterproofing will benefit from the G700SE despite compromises in image quality.

Controls, Interface & Usability: Simplicity vs. Sophistication

View the layout differences and control schemes:

• Ricoh G700SE: Controls are minimalistic and deliberately simple. It lacks dedicated shutter-priority or aperture-priority modes, manual exposure, or complex autofocus areas. Instead, it offers single-point contrast-detection AF, no face or eye detection, and basic exposure settings optimized for rugged conditions.

• Sony A900: Boasts a rich array of manual controls – aperture priority, shutter priority, full manual exposure, comprehensive metering modes (multi-segment, center-weighted, spot), and exposure compensation. It features a 9-point phase detection autofocus system with selectable AF points and continuous AF modes.

Looking at the rear:

Both cameras have 3-inch fixed screens with comparable resolutions (~920 lines), though the A900’s TFT "Xtra Fine" screen delivers better color rendering and contrast, essential when critical focus-checking and exposure inspection in the field.

My hands-on testing confirms that while the Ricoh’s simplicity is an advantage in extreme environments - where fiddly controls can be a hindrance - it’s inadequate for anyone looking for creative control or precise focus management. The A900, despite lacking live view or touch screens, is a joy to operate for those experienced in DSLR photography.

Autofocus Systems and Performance: Precise vs. Basic

AF performance is crucial, especially for action, wildlife, sports, and event photographers.

• Ricoh G700SE: Contrast detection autofocus with no phase-detection or eye/face recognition. Focus speed is slow, particularly in low light or challenging contrast situations. No continuous AF or tracking.

• Sony A900: Advanced 9-point phase detection system with center weighted and selectable points, delivering accurate autofocus with decent speed. Supports continuous AF for moving subjects.

From practical shooting tests, the G700SE’s autofocus is suited for static scenes in bright conditions but struggles with moving subjects and macro work despite a close focusing distance (1 cm). The A900 excels in tracking moderate movement thanks to phase detection but is not ideal for ultra-fast sports photography - frame rate maxes at 5 fps, respectable but not cutting edge by today’s standards.

Photography Disciplines: Real-World Strengths and Limitations

Everyone’s photography needs differ. How do these two cameras perform across major genres?

Portrait Photography

• Ricoh G700SE: Limited lens range and small sensor mean shallow depth-of-field and creamy bokeh are hard to achieve. Skin tones look decent under natural light but noise becomes visible at higher ISO.

• Sony A900: Full-frame sensor, richer dynamic range, and excellent color reproduction yield inherently better skin tones and creamy background separations at wide apertures. With compatible lenses, eye detection (third-party software support may be needed) can enhance sharpness in eyes.

Landscape Photography

• Ricoh G700SE: Small sensor limits resolution and dynamic range, reducing versatility in shadow/highlight recovery. Weather sealing with waterproofing is a strength for rugged outdoor exploration.

• Sony A900: Outstanding detail and tonal gradation make it ideal for landscape work. Weather sealing exists but not waterproofing; care needed in wet environments. Offers a broad range of landscape-adapted lens options in Sony’s (formerly Minolta) A-mount.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Ricoh G700SE: Not recommended - slow autofocus and limited zoom range alongside low burst rates limit applicability.

• Sony A900: Better for wildlife and sports with phase detection AF and fast max shutter speed (1/8000th sec). The moderate 5 fps burst rate is sufficient for amateurs but less so for pros shooting high-speed action.

Street Photography

• Ricoh G700SE: Compact size and weatherproof design are great for street photographers needing discretion and durability, but autofocus speed and image quality fall short for demanding users.

• Sony A900: Bulky size and louder shutter make it less discreet. However, the full-frame quality lets you capture images with excellent low-light performance and shallow depth of field.

Macro Photography

• Ricoh G700SE: Macro capable with a close focusing range of 1 cm. Lack of stabilization and slow AF limit sharpness and ease.

• Sony A900: No dedicated macro mode, but the availability of specialized macro lenses and sensor-based image stabilization gives superior results.

Night and Astro Photography

• Ricoh G700SE: Limited by small sensor and CCD noise at ISO above 3200; no long exposure modes beyond 8s shutter.

• Sony A900: Full manual exposure with long shutter speed (up to 30 s), higher ISO performance, and larger sensor make it a strong contender for night and astro shooting.

Video Capabilities

• Ricoh G700SE: Limited to 640×480 resolution video with no microphone input or stabilization.

• Sony A900: No video recording function.

Travel Photography

• Ricoh G700SE: Ideal for rugged travel where durability, waterproofing, and pocketability matter.

• Sony A900: Heavy and less versatile for travel due to bulk and fragility, but the quality makes it a solid choice for dedicated photographic journeys.

Professional Workflows

• Ricoh G700SE: No RAW support limits post-processing flexibility.

• Sony A900: RAW support with 14-bit files, broad lens ecosystem, dual card slots, long battery life (880 shots tested), and extensive exposure/bracketing options satisfy professional needs.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance: Rugged vs. Robust

• Ricoh G700SE is explicitly designed for tough use: waterproof, shockproof, and freezeproof specifications ensure operation in the most adverse conditions.

• Sony A900 is weather sealed but not waterproof or shock rated. It prioritizes durability in controlled professional environments but requires care.

Connectivity and Storage Support

• Ricoh uses SD/SDHC cards and has internal memory. USB 2.0 is its only connectivity option; no Wi-Fi, NFC, or Bluetooth.

• Sony A900 offers dual card slots supporting CompactFlash (Type I and II), Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo with UDMA Mode 5 for high-speed transfer. HDMi output available, but lacks wireless features.

Battery Life and Operational Durability

Ricoh G700SE battery specs are unavailable, but compact rugged cameras typically deliver moderate life due to smaller batteries.

Sony A900’s battery life is impressive - around 880 shots per charge, tested under JPEG use, which is excellent for professional shooting demands.

Price and Value: Budget Considerations

• The Ricoh G700SE is geared toward industrial users and field professionals with a niche focus. Price details unavailable, but likely positioned as a specialized tool rather than a consumer product.

• The Sony A900 was a premium product, priced around $2700 at launch, reflecting its flagship status.

Summary of Strengths and Limitations

Ricoh G700SE front Ricoh G700SE screen back Sony A900 front Sony A900 screen back

Real-world sample images underscore the differences: the Sony A900's rich detail, color fidelity, and tonal range contrast sharply with G700SE’s utilitarian output.

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Choose the Ricoh G700SE if:

• Your photography takes place in extreme, wet, or hazardous environments where waterproofing and durability are non-negotiable.
• You need a simple, compact solution primarily for documentation or casual shooting.
• You rarely require manual exposure controls or RAW image flexibility.
• Portability and ruggedness outweigh image quality.

Choose the Sony A900 if:

• You require superior image quality and dynamic range for professional portraits, landscapes, or studio work.
• Visibility and control over exposure and focus are central to your shooting style.
• You plan on using a varied lens lineup and RAW files for post-production.
• You value battery life and dual memory card redundancy for reliability.

Final Thoughts: Expertise and Experience Make the Difference

Having tested both cameras extensively under multiple real-world scenarios and laboratory benchmarks, I can confidently say these cameras serve fundamentally different photographic missions.

The Ricoh G700SE is a niche product, possibly overlooked outside of industrial, scientific, or extreme outdoor use. Its ruggedness combined with basic imaging capabilities is its hallmark.

The Sony A900 remains a remarkable DSLR stalwart for those wanting a full-frame experience without the mirrorless learning curve. While dated in terms of video and live view, its image quality and ergonomic sophistication still hold value for enthusiasts and professionals focused on stills photography.

Before buying, consider your shooting conditions, required image quality, and workflow needs. Your choice should align with your photographic ambitions, not just specs on a sheet.

I hope this detailed comparison helps you navigate the critical decision between the Ricoh G700SE and the Sony A900. Feel free to ask any follow-up questions or share your specific use case - informed choices lead to more satisfying photography. Happy shooting!