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Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
35
Overall
34
Ricoh GR Digital III front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony NEX-5R 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
  • Newer Model is Ricoh GR Digital IV
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Announced August 2012
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-5N
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-5T
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Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony NEX-5R, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Ricoh and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the GR Digital III (10MP) and NEX-5R (16MP) and the GR Digital III (1/1.7") and NEX-5R (APS-C) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The GR Digital III was introduced 4 years prior to the NEX-5R which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Ricoh GR Digital III being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight into a complete comparison, below is a short view of how the GR Digital III scores vs the NEX-5R with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh GR Digital III over the Sony NEX-5R

 GR Digital III NEX-5R 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Ricoh GR Digital III

 NEX-5R GR Digital III 
AnnouncedAugust 2012July 2009More modern by 37 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Ricoh GR Digital III and Sony NEX-5R

 GR Digital III NEX-5R 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Display resolution920k920kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera often, you need to think about its weight and proportions. The Ricoh GR Digital III enjoys outer 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) whilst the Sony NEX-5R has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Analyze the Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony NEX-5R in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the GR Digital III vs the NEX-5R.

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GR Digital III and NEX-5R is 92 and 89 respectively.

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony NEX-5R top view buttons comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizes purely by going through a spec sheet. The pic here might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the GR Digital III and NEX-5R.

Clearly, both of those cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The GR Digital III with its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF harder and the Sony NEX-5R will provide extra detail using its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged GR Digital III will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III Portrait photography advice
Sony NEX-5R Portrait photography advice
40
has manual focus
exports RAW files
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
74
you can focus manually
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III Street photography information
Sony NEX-5R Street photography information
55
exports RAW files
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
80
has a tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
includes touch focus
very good ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Sports photography camera
17
can't change focal length (28mm)
no image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect auto focus
68
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
has phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III Travel photography information
Sony NEX-5R Travel photography information
63
has built in flash
good max aperture (f1.9)
low MP (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
73
includes touch focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Ricoh GR Digital III
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5R
45
has manual focus
good max aperture (f1.9)
screen size is good (3")
exports RAW files
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (28mm)
no image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
75
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III Vlogging details
Sony NEX-5R Vlogging details
25
good max aperture (f1.9)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external mic jack
31
screen is touchscreen
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
lack of mic port
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Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh GR Digital III and Sony NEX-5R
 Ricoh GR Digital IIISony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Make Ricoh Sony
Model Ricoh GR Digital III Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2009-07-27 2012-08-29
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip GR engine III Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 25600
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 99
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 28mm (1x) -
Maximal aperture f/1.9 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 121
Crop factor 4.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 920 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 1 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format - AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 208g (0.46 lb) 276g (0.61 lb)
Dimensions 109 x 59 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 78
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.1
DXO Low light score not tested 910
Other
Battery life - 330 pictures
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $399 $750