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Ricoh GR II vs Sony W290

Portability
89
Imaging
59
Features
55
Overall
57
Ricoh GR II front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Ricoh GR II vs Sony W290 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
  • Launched June 2015
  • Old Model is Ricoh GR
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
  • Announced February 2009
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Ricoh GR II vs Sony W290 Overview

In this article, we are evaluating the Ricoh GR II vs Sony W290, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Ricoh and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the GR II (16MP) and W290 (12MP) and the GR II (APS-C) and W290 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The GR II was introduced 6 years later than the W290 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Ricoh GR II being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony W290 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the GR II matches up vs the W290 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh GR II over the Sony W290

 GR II W290 
AnnouncedJune 2015February 2009Fresher by 78 months
Display resolution1230k230kSharper display (+1000k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Ricoh GR II

 W290 GR II 

Common features in the Ricoh GR II and Sony W290

 GR II W290 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Ricoh GR II vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and size. The Ricoh GR II provides outer measurements of 117mm x 63mm x 35mm (4.6" x 2.5" x 1.4") along with a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Sony W290 has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Contrast the Ricoh GR II vs Sony W290 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the GR II against the W290.

Ricoh GR II vs Sony W290 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the GR II and W290 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Ricoh GR II vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh GR II vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizing purely by going through a spec sheet. The visual here should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the GR II and W290.

Clearly, both cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The GR II having a larger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Ricoh GR II will produce extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images a little more aggressively. The fresher GR II is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Ricoh GR II vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Ricoh GR II vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh GR II vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh GR II Portrait photography factors
Sony W290 Portrait photography factors
75
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
27
you can focus manually
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Ricoh GR II Street photography features
Sony W290 Street photography features
74
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than others (251 grams)
very good ISO range (25,600)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Ricoh GR II
Sports photography with Sony W290
50
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
fixed focal length (28mm)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh GR II as a Travel photography camera
Sony W290 as a Travel photography camera
67
lighter than others (251 grams)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
57
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh GR II Landscape photography highlights
Sony W290 Landscape photography highlights
59
you can focus manually
screen size is good (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse function
41
you can focus manually
pretty wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh GR II Vlogging features
Sony W290 Vlogging features
32
includes face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (251g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
doesn't have microphone port
28
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic jack
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Ricoh GR II vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh GR II and Sony W290
 Ricoh GR IISony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Ricoh Sony
Model Ricoh GR II Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Category Large Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2015-06-17 2009-02-17
Body design Large Sensor Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by GR Engine V -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28mm (1x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-16.0 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 10cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 300 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m (at Auto ISO) 3.90 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 reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 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 251 grams (0.55 pounds) 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 117 x 63 x 35mm (4.6" x 2.5" x 1.4") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 photographs -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model DB-65 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $599 $230