Ricoh GR II vs Sony A6300

Comparing the Ricoh GR II and Sony A6300: A Deep Dive into Two APS-C Cameras for Enthusiasts and Professionals

In the arena of APS-C sensor cameras, the Ricoh GR II and Sony Alpha A6300 represent two distinct philosophies in design, functionality, and photographic approach. Both cater to advanced users and professionals seeking compactness coupled with strong image quality – yet they serve different operational priorities and shooting styles. Over numerous months of hands-on testing, shooting thousands of frames across varied disciplines, we dissect these cameras’ critical characteristics to help you decide which best aligns with your photographic ambitions.

Design and Ergonomics: Compactness vs. Versatility

The Ricoh GR II is a quintessential large sensor compact, renowned for its pocketable form factor. Measuring 117 x 63 x 35 mm and weighing a mere 251 grams, it slips easily into a jacket pocket or small camera bag. The minimalist external controls prioritize stealth and quick access to essential functions, reflecting Ricoh’s philosophy of unobtrusive photography. However, the lack of extensive grip and smaller control surfaces may challenge users accustomed to larger, more tactile bodies especially during extended handheld sessions.

Sony’s A6300, a rangefinder-style mirrorless with dimensions of 120 x 67 x 49 mm and a weight of 404 grams, trades portability for control and versatility. Its deeper grip and abundant physical dials facilitate rapid mode switching and settings adjustment - an advantage in dynamic scenarios like wildlife or sports shooting. The added heft also promotes steadier handheld shooting with heavier lenses, at the cost of pocketability.

When considering travel photography or street scenarios demanding discretion, the Ricoh’s ultra-compact profile shines. For professional or enthusiast workflows requiring expansive control, the A6300’s layout proves more effective.

Sensor and Image Quality: Comparing APS-C Implementations

Both cameras employ APS-C sized CMOS sensors with a 1.5x crop factor but differ notably in resolution and underlying sensor technology. Ricoh’s GR II integrates a 16MP sensor, balancing pixel density for clean output and manageable file sizes, favored for street and documentary work where high ISO julienning and discreet operation trump resolution. Conversely, the Sony A6300 boasts a 24MP sensor, increasing spatial resolution significantly, catering to photographers requiring detailed cropping latitude and larger print sizes.

Measured sensor areas are similar - 372.09 mm² for the Ricoh versus 366.60 mm² for the Sony - resulting in comparable physical dimensions but different pixel pitch and processing approaches. Both retain anti-aliasing filters, slightly moderating sharpness for moiré suppression.

In laboratory conditions, DxOMark scores reflect a respectable parity in dynamic range (13.7 EV) and chromatic depth (23.6 bits for Ricoh, 24.4 bits for Sony), but Sony’s sensor pulls slightly ahead in high ISO performance, yielding cleaner images above ISO 3200.

From hands-on tests shooting landscapes and low-lit interiors, the A6300 maintains smoother tonal gradations and preserves subtle shadow detail better at high sensitivities. The Ricoh GR II offers commendable color fidelity and sharpness, particularly with its fixed 28mm equivalent lens optimized for that sensor.

Autofocus Systems: Precision, Speed, and Tracking

Autofocus (AF) is a cornerstone for many photography genres, and here the cameras diverge sharply. The Ricoh GR II employs a contrast-detection AF system utilizing nine focus points. Although providing reliable performance in good light, its speed and subject tracking capabilities are limited. Face detection is available but animal eye AF is absent, reducing efficacy in wildlife or portraiture with moving subjects.

Sony’s A6300 advances with a hybrid AF system blending 425 phase-detection points with 169 contrast-detection points, covering a broad sensor area. This robust system delivers rapid and accurate autofocus acquisition, impressive continuous AF tracking for erratic subjects, and excellent face detection. However, it lacks animal eye autofocus support, which Sony introduced later in subsequent models.

During wildlife and sports tracking tests, the A6300 consistently outperforms the GR II, maintaining sharp focus through continuous 11 fps bursts. The Ricoh’s 4 fps continuous shooting and slower AF limit its utility in high-speed action contexts.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance

The Ricoh GR II features a well-constructed magnesium alloy body, yet lacks environmental sealing. It is not weatherproof or dustproof, which calls for cautious use in adverse conditions. Its minimalist design eschews rubberized coatings for a smooth finish prone to fingerprints.

Sony’s A6300 incorporates partial weather resistance, including dust and moisture sealing. The more robust construction suits the rigors of professional use outdoors. For landscape photographers facing variable weather or travel shooters in humid environments, this is a significant advantage.

Neither model is shockproof, waterproof, or freezeproof, so extreme environments require external protection regardless.

User Interface, LCD, and Viewfinder Usability

The Ricoh GR II sports a fixed 3-inch LCD display with 1230k-dot resolution, adequate for framing and image review but less flexible in shooting angles due to its non-tilting design. Its fixed LCD limits composition creativity in macro or low/high-angle photography. No touchscreen functionality further constrains on-the-fly menu navigation or AF point selection.

In contrast, the Sony A6300 features a 3-inch tilting LCD with 922k dots - lower measured resolution but greater compositional versatility. Though it lacks touchscreen input, the tilting mechanism facilitates awkward angle shooting, catering to diverse photo disciplines. The A6300’s standout is its electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2.36M-dot resolution, 0.7x magnification, and near 100% coverage, delivering a detailed, lag-free live preview - invaluable in bright conditions where LCD use is compromised.

The Ricoh offers an optional optical viewfinder, but this accessory is not integral and lacks metering feedback, making the Sony’s built-in EVF superior for precise framing and exposure estimation.

Lens Ecosystem and Optics

A defining feature of the Ricoh GR II is its fixed 28mm equivalent f/2.8 lens, optimized for sharpness and minimal distortion across the frame. This prime lens orientation promotes street, landscape, and environmental portraiture applications with rapid response and compactness. However, the fixed focal length limits versatility, requiring physical repositioning to frame differently or accepting the field of view as-is.

Sony's A6300 employs the versatile Sony E-mount system, with a vast ecosystem of 121 lenses ranging from ultra-wide to super-telephoto, including native and third-party options. This diversity allows photographers to tailor their gear for macro, wildlife, portrait, sports, and even cinema-level video optics.

Practically, the A6300 excels in adaptability: from compact primes for travel to high-end zooms for sports. This breadth justifies the increased body size and learning curve required to manage lens selection workflows.

Continuous Shooting and Buffer Depth

For users shooting sports, wildlife, or other fast-paced action, continuous shooting speed and buffer depth are paramount.

The Ricoh GR II supports a modest 4 fps continuous burst, with a relatively shallow buffer given the 16MP file size. This is sufficient for casual movement and street candid moments but restrictive for action sequences or decisive moment capturing.

Sony’s A6300 dramatically improves here with 11 fps continuous shooting paired with a deep buffer accommodating uncompressed RAW data. This capability satisfies demanding pro workflows where rapid-fire capture and instant playback are essential.

Video Capabilities and Multimedia Functions

Video functionality is increasingly critical even in still cameras. The GR II offers Full HD 1080p video up to 30 fps and various resolutions down to SD VGA. The recording formats are standard MPEG-4 and H264, but onboard stabilization is absent. No microphone or headphone ports limit audio capture options, restricting professional filmmaking ambitions.

Sony’s A6300 supports 4K UHD video recording at 30 and 24 fps, as well as Full HD up to 120 fps for slow-motion. It includes microphone input for high-quality audio and HDMI output compatible with external recorders. Though it lacks headphone monitoring, the video feature set is considerably more advanced, aligning with hybrid shooters.

Furthermore, Sony’s video-centric focus provides creative modes like time-lapse (via downloadable applications) and advanced codec options, offering more post-production flexibility.

Battery Life and Storage Solutions

A critical practical consideration is battery endurance and storage flexibility.

The Ricoh GR II uses the DB-65 battery model delivering approximately 320 shots per charge under CIPA standards. While adequate for casual shooting or travel, extended sessions or continuous shooting push battery limits. Single SD card slots accepting SD/SDHC/SDXC cards suffice for most photographers but limit redundancy options.

The Sony A6300’s NP-FW50 battery extends life to about 400 shots, a moderate improvement but still necessitating spares for long outings. It uses a single SD card slot compatible with SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with no dual-slot backup. USB 2.0 data transfer speeds are a limiting factor relative to modern USB 3.x standards.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Both cameras integrate Wi-Fi and NFC for image transfer and remote control, valuable for fast sharing and tethered shooting. Bluetooth is notably absent in both, restricting always-on low power connections prevalent in newer models.

Sony’s ecosystem provides superior smartphone app support, facilitating firmware updates and creative control. Ricoh’s wireless system is more basic but sufficient for casual sharing.

Pricing and Value Proposition

At launch and current market pricing, the Ricoh GR II averages around $600, positioning it affordably as a premium compact with APS-C image quality. It appeals to photographers prioritizing minimalism, ease of use, and portability.

Sony's A6300, priced near $890, caters to users demanding flexibility, autofocus performance, and professional video. While costlier, its feature set justifies investment for serious enthusiasts and hybrid shooters.

How Each Camera Performs Across Photography Disciplines

Portrait Photography

• Ricoh GR II: The GR II’s sharp 28mm lens works well for environmental portraits, but the fixed wide angle and moderate max aperture (f/2.8) limit traditional bokeh isolation and tight headshots. Face detection AF exists but is less agile.
• Sony A6300: Benefits from longer lens options and faster apertures, superior AF with reliable eye detection, and EVF framing make it optimal for professional portraiture.

Landscape Photography

• Both cameras deliver excellent dynamic range and sharp detail. Sony’s higher resolution enables large prints or cropping, while Ricoh’s compactness aids portability for extended hikes. A6300’s weather sealing adds reliability in challenging environments.

Wildlife Photography

• Ricoh’s slower and minimal AF points, along with limited focal length, constrain wildlife capture capabilities.
• Sony’s 425 phase-detect points, fast 11 fps burst, and telephoto lens options provide unequivocal advantages.

Sports Photography

• A6300’s tracking AF and frame rates make it a practical entry-level sports option.
• Ricoh’s capabilities fall short for high-speed action.

Street Photography

• Ricoh GR II shines with its discrete size and silent shooting (quad electronic shutter modes not present but mechanical shutter is quiet).
• Sony’s larger bulk and louder shutter impact discretion but gains compensate with better image flexibility.

Macro Photography

• Neither excels, but Sony’s lens ecosystem includes specialized macro lenses; Ricoh can focus down to 10cm but has no stabilization.

Night/Astro Photography

• Both cameras provide extended ISO ranges, but the Sony’s better noise control and tilting screen facilitate composing in dark conditions.

Video Capabilities

• Sony’s 4K recording, slow-motion, and mic input vastly outclass Ricoh’s Full HD limited codecs.

Travel Photography

• Ricoh’s minimalism and pocketability are compelling; battery life and fixed lens may limit diverse shooting styles.
• Sony’s flexibility and better build suit prolonged travel but at a size/weight premium.

Professional Workflows

• Sony’s advanced AF, raw image quality, video options, and EVF make it suitable for pro assignments.
• Ricoh is more niche, suited for street/documentary shooters valuing quick deployment over modularity.

Ricoh GR II front Ricoh GR II screen back Sony A6300 front Sony A6300 screen back

Final Recommendations

• Buy the Ricoh GR II if you desire an ultra-compact, stealthy camera for street, travel, and informal documentary photography emphasizing portability, image quality at moderate resolution, and simplicity. It suits photographers who prioritize rapid deployment over lens versatility and autofocus speed.

• Opt for the Sony A6300 if your priorities include fast, accurate autofocus, significant lens selection, hybrid stills/video work, and professional-grade controls. It is the better tool for sports, wildlife, landscape professionals, and hybrid shooters who require flexibility in framing, resolution, and creative options.

Both cameras are defensible investments within their respective niches. Your choice should weigh the importance of portability and fixed-lens convenience against the demand for system expandability and advanced features.

In my extensive practical testing, these conclusions consistently correlate with real-world performance and user satisfaction, making these insights actionable for informed camera acquisition decisions.