Ricoh GR II vs Sony NEX-5
89 Imaging
59 Features
55 Overall
57


89 Imaging
54 Features
58 Overall
55
Ricoh GR II vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- 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
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Launched June 2010
- Renewed by Sony NEX-5N

Ricoh GR II vs Sony NEX-5 Overview
Its time to look closer at the Ricoh GR II and Sony NEX-5, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Ricoh and Sony. The image resolution of the GR II (16MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras offer the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

The GR II was introduced 5 years later than the NEX-5 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Ricoh GR II being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise summary of how the GR II grades against the NEX-5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Ricoh GR II vs Sony NEX-5 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Ricoh GR II and Sony Alpha NEX-5. The whole galleries are provided at Ricoh GR II Gallery and Sony NEX-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Ricoh GR II over the Sony NEX-5
GR II | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | June 2015 | ![]() | June 2010 | Fresher by 62 months |
Screen resolution | 1230k | ![]() | 920k | Crisper screen (+310k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Ricoh GR II
NEX-5 | GR II | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Ricoh GR II and Sony NEX-5
GR II | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch friendly screen |
Ricoh GR II vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is going to carry your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Ricoh GR II comes with exterior measurements of 117mm x 63mm x 35mm (4.6" x 2.5" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5 has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).
See the Ricoh GR II and Sony NEX-5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Following is a front view size comparison of the GR II and the NEX-5.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GR II and NEX-5 is 89 and 89 respectively.

Ricoh GR II vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it can be hard to see the difference between sensor sizing merely by checking a spec sheet. The visual underneath will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the GR II and NEX-5.
Clearly, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Ricoh GR II to give greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs way more aggressively. The younger GR II will have an edge in sensor technology.

Ricoh GR II vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh GR II vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications
Ricoh GR II | Sony Alpha NEX-5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Ricoh | Sony |
Model | Ricoh GR II | Sony Alpha NEX-5 |
Category | Large Sensor Compact | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2015-06-17 | 2010-06-07 |
Body design | Large Sensor Compact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | GR Engine V | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.7 x 15.7mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 372.1mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 4592 x 3056 |
Highest native ISO | 25600 | 12800 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | Sony E |
Lens focal range | 28mm (1x) | - |
Maximum aperture | f/2.8-16.0 | - |
Macro focus range | 10cm | - |
Available lenses | - | 121 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 1,230 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 300 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 4.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m (at Auto ISO) | 12.00 m |
Flash modes | 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, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p, 24p) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 251g (0.55 lb) | 287g (0.63 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 117 x 63 x 35mm (4.6" x 2.5" x 1.4") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 80 | 69 |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.6 | 22.2 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 13.7 | 12.2 |
DXO Low light score | 1078 | 796 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 320 shots | 330 shots |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | DB-65 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail pricing | $599 | $599 |