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Ricoh GR II vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
89
Imaging
59
Features
55
Overall
57
Ricoh GR II front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56

Ricoh GR II vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs

Ricoh GR II
(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
  • Earlier Model is Ricoh GR
Sony NEX-C3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
  • Announced August 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-3
  • Successor is Sony NEX-F3
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Ricoh GR II vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

Here is a detailed review of the Ricoh GR II and Sony NEX-C3, former being a Large Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Ricoh and Sony. The image resolution of the GR II (16MP) and the NEX-C3 (16MP) is fairly close and both cameras posses the identical sensor size (APS-C).

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The GR II was announced 3 years later than the NEX-C3 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Ricoh GR II being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief summary of how the GR II matches up versus the NEX-C3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh GR II over the Sony NEX-C3

 GR II NEX-C3 
AnnouncedJune 2015August 2011Fresher by 47 months
Display resolution1230k920kCrisper display (+310k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Ricoh GR II

 NEX-C3 GR II 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Ricoh GR II and Sony NEX-C3

 GR II NEX-C3 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display size3"3"Same display size
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Ricoh GR II vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Ricoh GR II features external dimensions of 117mm x 63mm x 35mm (4.6" x 2.5" x 1.4") having a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-C3 has measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

Check the Ricoh GR II and Sony NEX-C3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the GR II against the NEX-C3.

Ricoh GR II vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the GR II and NEX-C3 is 89 and 91 respectively.

Ricoh GR II vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh GR II vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing simply by researching specs. The graphic below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the GR II and NEX-C3.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the exact same megapixels therefore you can expect comparable quality of photographs but you will want to factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The more modern GR II provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Ricoh GR II vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Ricoh GR II vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh GR II vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh GR II Portrait photography information
Sony NEX-C3 Portrait photography information
75
focusing manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
73
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Ricoh GR II Street photography information
Sony NEX-C3 Street photography information
74
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (251 grams)
above average high ISO (25,600)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
79
tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (225g)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh GR II Sports photography features
Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography features
50
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
focal length is fixed (28mm)
max frames per second low (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect AF
53
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good battery power (400 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Ricoh GR II
Travel photography with Sony NEX-C3
67
lighter than competition in class (251g)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
71
good battery power (400 per charge)
lighter than competition in class (225 grams)
good megapixels (16MP)
lack of Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh GR II Landscape photography info
Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography info
59
focusing manually
decent sized screen (3 inch)
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (28mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
no image stabilization
lack of Timelapse recording
70
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (400 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Ricoh GR II
Vlogging with Sony NEX-C3
32
provides face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (251 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
lack of microphone socket
27
lighter than competition in class (225 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic socket
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Ricoh GR II vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh GR II and Sony NEX-C3
 Ricoh GR IISony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Make Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh GR II Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Type Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2015-06-17 2011-08-22
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip 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 area 372.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4928 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 28mm (1x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-16.0 -
Macro focusing distance 10cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,230 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 300 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 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 Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 251 gr (0.55 lb) 225 gr (0.50 lb)
Physical dimensions 117 x 63 x 35mm (4.6" x 2.5" x 1.4") 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 80 73
DXO Color Depth rating 23.6 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.7 12.2
DXO Low light rating 1078 1083
Other
Battery life 320 pictures 400 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DB-65 NPFW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $599 $343