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Ricoh GR II vs Sony A9 II

Portability
89
Imaging
59
Features
55
Overall
57
Ricoh GR II front
 
Sony Alpha A9 Mark II front
Portability
62
Imaging
75
Features
93
Overall
82

Ricoh GR II vs Sony A9 II Key Specs

Ricoh GR II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28mm (F2.8-16.0) lens
  • 251g - 117 x 63 x 35mm
  • Released June 2015
  • Old Model is Ricoh GR
Sony A9 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 678g - 129 x 96 x 76mm
  • Announced October 2019
  • Replaced the Sony A9
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Ricoh GR II vs Sony A9 II Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Ricoh GR II vs Sony A9 II, one is a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Ricoh and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the GR II (16MP) and A9 II (24MP) and the GR II (APS-C) and A9 II (Full frame) offer different sensor sizing.

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The GR II was brought out 5 years prior to the A9 II which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Ricoh GR II being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A9 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the GR II grades versus the A9 II in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh GR II over the Sony A9 II

 GR II A9 II 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 II over the Ricoh GR II

 A9 II GR II 
AnnouncedOctober 2019June 2015More modern by 52 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k1230kSharper display (+210k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Ricoh GR II and Sony A9 II

 GR II A9 II 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Ricoh GR II vs Sony A9 II Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and volume. The Ricoh GR II offers outer measurements of 117mm x 63mm x 35mm (4.6" x 2.5" x 1.4") having a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Sony A9 II has sizing of 129mm x 96mm x 76mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.0") and a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

See the Ricoh GR II vs Sony A9 II in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the GR II and the A9 II.

Ricoh GR II vs Sony A9 II size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the GR II and A9 II is 89 and 62 respectively.

Ricoh GR II vs Sony A9 II top view buttons comparison

Ricoh GR II vs Sony A9 II Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to picture the difference between sensor sizes simply by reviewing specifications. The picture here may provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the GR II and A9 II.

Plainly, both cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The GR II due to its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Sony A9 II will offer you extra detail having its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more aged GR II is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Ricoh GR II vs Sony A9 II sensor size comparison

Ricoh GR II vs Sony A9 II Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh GR II vs Sony A9 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh GR II Portrait photography advice
Sony A9 II Portrait photography advice
75
focusing manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
supports RAW formats
85
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Ricoh GR II Street photography features
Sony A9 II Street photography features
74
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (251g)
good high ISO (25,600)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
78
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
provides touch focus
environment sealing
great high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh GR II Sports photography highlights
Sony A9 II Sports photography highlights
50
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
fixed focal length (28mm)
max frames per second very slow (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
87
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (20.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment sealing
great battery pack (690 per charge)
comes with phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh GR II Travel photography info
Sony A9 II Travel photography info
67
lighter than competition in class (251 grams)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
73
great battery pack (690 CIPA)
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
provides touch focus
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh GR II Landscape photography highlights
Sony A9 II Landscape photography highlights
59
focusing manually
screen size is good (3")
MP count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse recording
86
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
great battery pack (690 shots)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh GR II as a Vlogging camera
Sony A9 II as a Vlogging camera
32
comes with face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (251g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
does not have mic jack
36
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have external mic support
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Ricoh GR II vs Sony A9 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh GR II and Sony A9 II
 Ricoh GR IISony Alpha A9 Mark II
General Information
Company Ricoh Sony
Model Ricoh GR II Sony Alpha A9 Mark II
Type Large Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Released 2015-06-17 2019-10-03
Physical type Large Sensor Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip GR Engine V BIONZ X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 25600 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 693
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 28mm (1x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-16.0 -
Macro focus range 10cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,230 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 300 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Max silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames/s 20.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m (at Auto ISO) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Flash On, Flash Synchro., Manual Flash, Red-Eye Flash Auto, Red-Eye Flash On, Red-Eye Flash Synchro, Wireless Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p, 24p) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 251g (0.55 lbs) 678g (1.49 lbs)
Physical dimensions 117 x 63 x 35mm (4.6" x 2.5" x 1.4") 129 x 96 x 76mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 1078 not tested
Other
Battery life 320 pictures 690 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model DB-65 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous, 3 or 5 frames)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots One Dual
Price at release $599 $4,498