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Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony A390

Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
35
Overall
34
Ricoh GR Digital III front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony A390 Key Specs

Ricoh GR Digital III
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28mm (F1.9) lens
  • 208g - 109 x 59 x 26mm
  • Released July 2009
  • Renewed by Ricoh GR Digital IV
Sony A390
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Older Model is Sony A380
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Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony A390 Overview

Here is a extensive assessment of the Ricoh GR Digital III and Sony A390, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Ricoh and Sony. There exists a sizable gap between the resolutions of the GR Digital III (10MP) and A390 (14MP) and the GR Digital III (1/1.7") and A390 (APS-C) possess different sensor dimensions.

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The GR Digital III was announced 12 months earlier than the A390 so they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Ricoh GR Digital III being a Compact camera and the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving through a thorough comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the GR Digital III grades vs the A390 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh GR Digital III over the Sony A390

 GR Digital III A390 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Ricoh GR Digital III

 A390 GR Digital III 
IntroducedJuly 2010July 2009Fresher by 12 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Ricoh GR Digital III and Sony A390

 GR Digital III A390 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Ricoh GR Digital III features exterior dimensions of 109mm x 59mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") along with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) while the Sony A390 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Take a look at the Ricoh GR Digital III and Sony A390 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at that moment. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the GR Digital III versus the A390.

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony A390 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GR Digital III and A390 is 92 and 66 respectively.

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizing just by reading technical specs. The visual here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the GR Digital III and A390.

As you have seen, both the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The GR Digital III using its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Sony A390 will offer greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older GR Digital III is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III Portrait photography advice
Sony A390 Portrait photography advice
40
you can focus manually
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
72
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Ricoh GR Digital III
Street photography with Sony A390
55
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
76
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III as a Sports photography camera
Sony A390 as a Sports photography camera
17
can't change focal length (28mm)
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect AF
60
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
terrible battery life (230 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III as a Travel photography camera
Sony A390 as a Travel photography camera
63
built-in flash
fast max aperture (f1.9)
megapixel count low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
53
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (230 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Ricoh GR Digital III
Landscape photography with Sony A390
45
you can focus manually
fast max aperture (f1.9)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (28mm)
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
61
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
terrible battery life (230 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III as a Vlogging camera
Sony A390 as a Vlogging camera
25
fast max aperture (f1.9)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
missing external microphone socket
9
can't record video
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Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh GR Digital III and Sony A390
 Ricoh GR Digital IIISony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Brand Name Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh GR Digital III Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2009-07-27 2010-07-28
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by GR engine III Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28mm (1x) -
Highest aperture f/1.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 4.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (optional) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 1 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) -
Highest video resolution 640x480 None
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 208 grams (0.46 lb) 549 grams (1.21 lb)
Dimensions 109 x 59 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 607
Other
Battery life - 230 photographs
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $399 $500