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Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony a1

Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
35
Overall
34
Ricoh GR Digital III front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
82
Features
93
Overall
86

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Ricoh GR Digital III
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28mm (F1.9) lens
  • 208g - 109 x 59 x 26mm
  • Revealed July 2009
  • Successor is Ricoh GR Digital IV
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Increase to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Introduced January 2021
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Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony a1 Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Ricoh GR Digital III versus Sony a1, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Ricoh and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the GR Digital III (10MP) and a1 (50MP) and the GR Digital III (1/1.7") and a1 (Full frame) come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The GR Digital III was brought out 12 years earlier than the a1 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Ricoh GR Digital III being a Compact camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving through a in depth comparison, below is a short introduction of how the GR Digital III grades vs the a1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh GR Digital III over the Sony a1

 GR Digital III a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Ricoh GR Digital III

 a1 GR Digital III 
IntroducedJanuary 2021July 2009More recent by 140 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k920kCrisper display (+520k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Ricoh GR Digital III and Sony a1

 GR Digital III a1 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and size. The Ricoh GR Digital III offers outside 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 a1 has specifications of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Contrast the Ricoh GR Digital III versus Sony a1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the GR Digital III compared to the a1.

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony a1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GR Digital III and a1 is 92 and 61 respectively.

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to envision the contrast between sensor measurements merely by reading specifications. The photograph below may provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the GR Digital III and a1.

To sum up, each of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The GR Digital III due to its tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Sony a1 will deliver greater detail having its extra 40MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images a little more aggressively. The older GR Digital III is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III Portrait photography info
Sony a1 Portrait photography info
40
manual focus
exports RAW formats
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
89
manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/400s)
MP count fantastic (50 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Ricoh GR Digital III
Street photography with Sony a1
55
exports RAW formats
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
79
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
includes focus by touch
weather proof
great ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Ricoh GR Digital III
Sports photography with Sony a1
17
can't change focal length (28mm)
no image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
lacks phase detect AF
91
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (30.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count fantastic (50 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
better than average battery life (530 per charge)
has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III Travel photography highlights
Sony a1 Travel photography highlights
63
built-in flash
very good maximum aperture (f1.9)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
74
better than average battery life (530 per charge)
weather proof
supports bluetooth
includes focus by touch
MP count fantastic (50 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III as a Landscape photography camera
Sony a1 as a Landscape photography camera
45
manual focus
very good maximum aperture (f1.9)
nice screen size (3 inch)
exports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (28mm)
no image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
88
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count fantastic (50 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
great ISO range (32,000)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
better than average battery life (530 CIPA)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital III as a Vlogging camera
Sony a1 as a Vlogging camera
25
very good maximum aperture (f1.9)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
missing mic port
37
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect autofocus
video resolution high (7680 x 4320 resolution)
has mic support
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Ricoh GR Digital III vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh GR Digital III and Sony a1
 Ricoh GR Digital IIISony Alpha a1
General Information
Brand Name Ricoh Sony
Model Ricoh GR Digital III Sony Alpha a1
Class Small Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2009-07-27 2021-01-26
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor GR engine III -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 50MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 8640 x 5760
Max native ISO 1600 32000
Max enhanced ISO - 102400
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW support
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 759
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 28mm (1x) -
Max aperture f/1.9 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 133
Crop factor 4.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 920k dots 1,440k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,437k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.9x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 1 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 30.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Manual Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/400 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) 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Max video resolution 640x480 7680x4320
Video format - XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 208 gr (0.46 lbs) 737 gr (1.62 lbs)
Dimensions 109 x 59 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 530 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Card slots Single Two
Pricing at release $399 $6,498