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Ricoh GR II vs Sony A290

Portability
89
Imaging
59
Features
55
Overall
57
Ricoh GR II front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Ricoh GR II vs Sony A290 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
  • Announced June 2015
  • Succeeded the Ricoh GR
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Superseded the Sony A230
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Ricoh GR II vs Sony A290 Overview

Below is a comprehensive comparison of the Ricoh GR II vs Sony A290, former being a Large Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Ricoh and Sony. The image resolution of the GR II (16MP) and the A290 (14MP) is fairly similar and they feature the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The GR II was unveiled 5 years later than the A290 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Ricoh GR II being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the GR II scores versus the A290 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh GR II over the Sony A290

 GR II A290 
RevealedJune 2015June 2010More recent by 62 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1230k230kCrisper display (+1000k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Ricoh GR II

 A290 GR II 

Common features in the Ricoh GR II and Sony A290

 GR II A290 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Ricoh GR II vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Ricoh GR II comes with outer dimensions 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 A290 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Check out the Ricoh GR II vs Sony A290 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the GR II versus the A290.

Ricoh GR II vs Sony A290 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the GR II and A290 is 89 and 66 respectively.

Ricoh GR II vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh GR II vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to picture the contrast between sensor measurements merely by reviewing specs. The photograph here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the GR II and A290.

All in all, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You can anticipate the Ricoh GR II to deliver greater detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos much more aggressively. The younger GR II provides an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Ricoh GR II vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Ricoh GR II vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh GR II vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh GR II Portrait photography information
Sony A290 Portrait photography information
75
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
65
has manual focus
decent megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Ricoh GR II Street photography factors
Sony A290 Street photography factors
74
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (251g)
great ISO range (25,600)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh GR II Sports photography info
Sony A290 Sports photography info
50
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
fixed focal length (28mm)
max frames per second very slow (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
terrible battery power (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh GR II Travel photography information
Sony A290 Travel photography information
67
lighter than competition in class (251 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
53
decent megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse function
terrible battery power (290 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh GR II Landscape photography info
Sony A290 Landscape photography info
59
has manual focus
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse function
58
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
doesn't have liveview
terrible battery power (290 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh GR II Vlogging highlights
Sony A290 Vlogging highlights
32
features face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (251 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have external mic support
9
can't shoot video
Photography Glossary

Ricoh GR II vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh GR II and Sony A290
 Ricoh GR IISony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Name Ricoh Sony
Model Ricoh GR II Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Type Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2015-06-17 2010-06-09
Body design Large Sensor Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip GR Engine V Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4928 x 3264 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28mm (1x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-16.0 -
Macro focus distance 10cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 1,230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (optional) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 300 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m (at Auto ISO) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Flash On, Flash Synchro., Manual Flash, Red-Eye Flash Auto, Red-Eye Flash On, Red-Eye Flash Synchro, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 251g (0.55 pounds) 549g (1.21 pounds)
Dimensions 117 x 63 x 35mm (4.6" x 2.5" x 1.4") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 80 66
DXO Color Depth score 23.6 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score 13.7 11.5
DXO Low light score 1078 615
Other
Battery life 320 images 290 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model DB-65 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $599 $600