Two Worlds Apart: Deep Dive Comparison of the Ricoh G900 vs Sony A9 II

When it comes to choosing a camera, the right fit can look wildly different depending on your photography needs. Today, I’m putting the Ricoh G900 and the Sony Alpha A9 II head-to-head. At first glance, they occupy almost opposite ends of the camera universe - the rugged, compact, waterproof Ricoh G900 versus the professional-grade, mirrorless, full-frame Sony A9 II. Yet comparing them side-by-side reveals valuable insights into how specialized cameras meet distinct demands, and why understanding your priorities is critical.

Having spent decades evaluating thousands of cameras across genres, lenses, and real-world conditions, I’ll guide you through a detailed exploration of their strengths, weaknesses, and practical usability. Along the way, I’ll share technical analysis, direct experience anecdotes, and clear recommendations to help you pinpoint which model suits your photography style, workflow, and budget.

Let’s begin by sizing up these two very different beasts.

Body and Ergonomics: A Tale of Compact Ruggedness vs. Pro Mirrorless Bulk

Look at the physical dimensions and weight and you get an immediate sense of their contrasting design philosophies. The Ricoh G900 is a compact powerhouse weighing just 247 grams, with a tough 118 x 66 x 33 mm frame engineered to withstand water, dust, shock, freezing temperatures, and crushing pressure. It’s the kind of camera designed to be tossed into a backpack, a pocket, or used in harsh environments without a second thought.

By contrast, the Sony A9 II’s dimensions are more traditional mirrorless DSLR-style at 129 x 96 x 76 mm and a much heftier 678 grams. It’s built for professional handling, with a deep grip and robust weather sealing - but it’s certainly not pocketable. You’ll find it in the hands of pros shooting sports, wildlife, weddings, or any action-oriented imagery demanding top-tier performance and reliability.

The top view comparison highlights this difference further. The A9 II sports extensive manual controls, customizable buttons, and a built-in electronic viewfinder with a high-res display. The Ricoh G900, meanwhile, features a simplified control layout with fewer dials and no viewfinder, reflecting its focus on ease of use in challenging environments rather than full manual control.

If you shoot outdoors, often in wet or tough conditions, and want something rugged yet lightweight, the G900’s compactness and durability are compelling. For serious photographers needing precise control and an extensive lens ecosystem, the A9 II’s heft and ergonomics deliver a professional experience worth the size tradeoff.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Small Sensor Rugged vs. Full-Frame Excellence

The heart of any camera lies in its sensor, and here we see the largest divide.

The Ricoh G900 features a 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with 20 megapixels, covering a minuscule 28.07 mm² sensor area, and a crop factor near 5.8x. This sensor size is common in compact and rugged cameras and offers decent resolution for the size but with inherent limitations in noise performance and dynamic range.

In sharp contrast, the Sony A9 II houses a full-frame (35.6 x 23.8 mm) BSI-CMOS sensor delivering 24 megapixels across a 847.28 mm² area - almost 30 times the surface area of the G900’s sensor. This size advantage provides exceptional light-gathering capability, dynamic range, and image quality superior in nearly every measurable aspect.

Practically speaking, while the G900 is capable of snappy 20MP shots suitable for documentation, casual travel, or environmental applications, it’s not geared for pushing image quality boundaries, especially in low light or for large prints. Its maximum ISO tops at 6400, adequate but far from spectacular.

The A9 II’s native ISO range stretches from 100 to 51200, expandable to a staggering 204800 ISO, enabling clean, detailed shots in near darkness. Dynamic range and color depth are state-of-the-art, ideal for professionals demanding versatility across lighting scenarios.

If image quality - and especially low-light performance or post-processing latitude - is critical, the full-frame A9 II dominates. For users prioritizing ruggedness and convenience over pixel-peeping, the G900 offers solid, if modest, image quality.

Autofocus Systems: Advanced Tracking Meets Basic Contrast Detection

Nothing distinguishes cameras more than autofocus technology, especially for fast-moving subjects.

The Ricoh G900 employs a contrast-detection autofocus system with 9 focus points and face detection, capable of single, continuous, and tracking AF modes. While adequate for still subjects or slow movement, it lacks the speed, precision, or sophistication found in higher-end systems.

The Sony A9 II features a hybrid autofocus system integrating 693 phase-detection AF points covering 93% of the frame and 425 contrast-detection points. It boasts eye autofocus - both human and animal - that works superbly in continuous tracking modes, making it a world-class performer in sports, wildlife, and portraits. Burst rates reach an astounding 20 frames per second with full AF/AE tracking.

Through extensive field testing, I found the A9 II’s AF to be consistently quick, accurate, and reliable even under challenging lighting and erratic subject movement. The G900’s AF often hunts in complex scenes and struggles tracking wildlife or sports action.

So if autofocus performance is a priority - especially for dynamic genres like wildlife or sports - the Sony A9 II is in a league of its own. The Ricoh G900 AF remains serviceable for casual use or documentation but won’t satisfy demanding shooters.

Handling, Interface, and Screen: Simplified Durability vs. Professional Control

The Ricoh G900 features a fixed 3-inch, 1040k-dot LCD without touchscreen capability. It’s practical and straightforward but lacks the articulated flexibility or sensitivity found on prosumer and professional cameras. The lack of an electronic viewfinder is another notable omission, relying solely on the rear screen for composition.

Conversely, the Sony A9 II sports a 3-inch tilting, high-res 1.44M-dot touchscreen LCD, complemented by an excellent 3.68M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.78x magnification. This two-display setup offers both flexibility and precision in composition, ideal for professional workflows.

Sony’s menu system, physical controls, and customizable buttons provide advanced shooters with quick access to settings. Ricoh’s interface is simpler - less intimidating for beginners, but limiting to professionals wanting fast controls or exposure modes.

If you frequently photograph in bright conditions where an EVF is indispensable or prefer touchscreens, the A9 II delivers a clearly superior user interface. The G900’s fixed screen and modest controls serve well for rugged travel or industrial use but feel constrained for artistic and fast-paced work.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Fixed Lens vs. Expansive Options

Lens options clearly define what you can shoot and how creatively flexible you are.

The Ricoh G900 is a fixed-lens camera, with an integrated 5x optical zoom covering 28-140mm (35mm-equivalent), opening at f/3.5-5.5. It also offers a macro focus range down to 1cm, making it versatile for close-ups. However, you are locked to this lens and cannot swap or upgrade optics.

On the flip side, the Sony A9 II uses the Sony E-mount, compatible with over 120 professional lenses, ranging from ultra-wide to super-telephoto options, fast primes to specialized macro lenses. Whether you want a razor-sharp 85mm portrait lens, a 400mm for wildlife, or an ultra-fast zoom, the lens selection covers virtually every genre and budget.

This lens flexibility alone gives the A9 II a massive advantage for serious photographers. The G900, while convenient and weatherproof, is functionally a point-and-shoot in terms of optical versatility.

Performance Across Photography Genres: Practical Use-Case Comparison

Let’s break down how each camera performs in key photography disciplines.

Portrait Photography

• G900: 20MP sensor with face detection AF handles skin tones reasonably but cannot shoot RAW or control aperture beyond the fixed lens. Bokeh control is limited by camera lens speed and sensor.
• A9 II: Superb skin tone rendition, animal and human eye AF, plus ability to use fast primes with shallow depth-of-field make it top-tier for portraits.

Landscape Photography

• G900: Compact and rugged for harsh conditions but limited dynamic range and resolution cap print size. Weather sealing is robust.
• A9 II: Huge full-frame sensor captures extensive detail, excellent dynamic range. Weather sealed but less rugged - needs care in wilderness.

Wildlife Photography

• G900: Fixed moderate zoom and slower AF limits scope. Useful only for casual observation.
• A9 II: High burst rate, expansive E-mount telephotos, great AF tracking with animal eye detection makes it a professional wildlife tool.

Sports Photography

• G900: AF too slow and continuous shooting limited. Not recommended.
• A9 II: Industry-leading AF, 20fps shooting, and excellent low light make it perfect for fast action.

Street Photography

• G900: Its compactness and weather resistance are assets. Fixed lens can be a limitation.
• A9 II: Bulkier, less discreet; wider lens options may compensate.

Macro Photography

• G900: 1cm close focusing is impressive for a compact; acceptable for casual macro.
• A9 II: Requires specialized macro lenses but offers better resolution and focusing precision.

Night/Astro Photography

• G900: Small sensor high noise levels limit quality.
• A9 II: High ISO capability and sensor performance enable usable astro shots.

Video Capabilities

• G900: Records 4K UHD at 30p, limited codec options, no external mic.
• A9 II: 4K UHD 30p with advanced color profiles, external mic/headphone jacks, better codec support, and 5-axis in-body stabilization.

Travel Photography

• G900: Lightweight, durable, simple - perfect for rugged travel.
• A9 II: Versatile and high quality but heavier and requires more care.

Professional Workflows

• G900: No RAW support and limited manual modes reduce integration potential.
• A9 II: Full RAW support, dual card slots (UHS-II), excellent connectivity, and extensive customization for professional workflows.

Ricoh G900 front Ricoh G900 screen back Sony A9 II front Sony A9 II screen back

Here are sample images captured with each to showcase their output differences across landscapes, portraits, and wildlife.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity: Staying Powered and Connected

The Ricoh G900 offers around 340 shots per battery charge with a single SD card slot and internal storage options. It supports FlashAir wireless SD cards for limited connectivity but lacks Bluetooth or NFC.

Sony’s A9 II nearly doubles this figure at approximately 690 shots per charge (tests vary), with dual UHS-II SD card slots enabling simultaneous backups or extended storage. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and USB 3.1 for fast tethered transfers.

If you’re shooting extended events or need reliable wireless transfer, the A9 II is clearly superior. The G900’s connectivity is basic but functional for casual use.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Ruggedness vs. Professional Weather Resistance

The Ricoh G900 stands out for its extreme ruggedness: waterproof to 20m, crushproof to 100kgf, freezeproof to -10°C, dustproof, and shockproof against 2.1m drops. This is a camera made for adventure and hazardous environments.

The Sony A9 II features professional weather sealing designed to resist dust and mist, but it cannot be submerged or withstand shocks to the same extent. Treat it like a professional tool with care - an umbrella is advisable in downpours.

Price and Value Assessment: What Does Your Investment Bring?

At around $750, the Ricoh G900 delivers rugged, all-weather imaging with 4K video in a compact package great for travel, outdoor enthusiasts, and industrial applications.

The Sony A9 II commands a premium price near $4,500 - reflecting its flagship full-frame sensor, outstanding autofocus, professional controls, and vast lens ecosystem. It’s an investment for pros and serious enthusiasts demanding the highest performance.

This overall performance rating chart summarizes their strengths and weaknesses candidly.

How They Stack Up by Photography Type

You can see the Sony A9 II scores highly across professional genres - sports, wildlife, portraits - while the Ricoh G900 shines in rugged, travel, and casual shooting segments.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Buy Which?

• Choose the Ricoh G900 if you:

  • Need a compact, ultra-rugged camera capable of surviving water, dust, and shock
  • Want easy-to-use zoom and macro for travel, documentation, or harsh environments
  • Prioritize portability and durability over advanced image quality and AF speed
  • Have a budget under $1000 seeking a versatile waterproof compact camera

• Choose the Sony A9 II if you:

  • Are a professional or enthusiast requiring world-class autofocus, speed, and image quality
  • Want access to a vast lens lineup for portraits, sports, wildlife, and more
  • Demand superb video capabilities with advanced audio, stabilization, and codecs
  • Can invest in a larger, heavier system with premium price tag for top-tier performance

Wrapping Up: Two Cameras, Distinct Worlds

The Ricoh G900 and Sony A9 II each cater to very different photographic souls. The G900 is a tough, no-nonsense tool ideal for adventure and documentation in the roughest conditions. The A9 II is a precision instrument designed to empower professionals capturing split-second moments with stunning quality.

Neither is inherently "better" - just better suited to particular needs. Understanding these differences and reflecting on your own photographic ambitions will help you pick the perfect camera companion.

In my personal experience, owning a rugged compact like the G900 alongside a professional mirrorless like the A9 II covers virtually all shooting scenarios. It’s the best of both worlds: durability and dynamism.

If you want me to elaborate on specific genres, lenses, or workflow integration for either camera, just ask - I’m always eager to share more insights from behind the lens.

Thanks for reading this deep dive - happy shooting!