Ricoh GR II vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W620: A Detailed Comparative Review for Photography Enthusiasts

In the constantly evolving arena of compact cameras, two models from quite different eras and design philosophies stand apart for distinct reasons: the Ricoh GR II, launched in mid-2015, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W620, a budget-friendly compact from early 2012. While both wear the badge of “compact camera,” their technical compositions and intended audiences are fundamentally different. Walking into this comparison, it’s essential to appreciate the contexts that framed their development, since specs only tell part of the story.

In this detailed review, I draw on hands-on experience across genres, exhaustive testing protocols, and analysis from tools like DxOMark to provide an expert, unbiased comparison. My intent is to help you - whether you’re a seasoned pro seeking a pocketable secondary tool, or an enthusiast on a budget - make an informed decision. Let’s dig in.

First Impressions and Ergonomics: Handling the Cameras in Hand

Picking up each camera, their physical proportions immediately set the stage for their design priorities and use cases. The Ricoh GR II is a quintessential large sensor compact, marrying professional-grade APS-C image quality with substantial, pocket-friendly dimensions. On the other hand, the Sony W620 is a typical mass-market small sensor compact meant for casual snapshots and travel convenience.

Ricoh GR II: Measuring 117 x 63 x 35 mm and weighing 251 grams, the GR II’s build feels dense and purposeful. The textured magnesium alloy body communicates durability and offers a reassuring grip for one-handed use. The compactness is impressive given the APS-C sensor inside - one of the smallest cameras packing such image quality. The control layout favors manual input, with physical dials and buttons located intuitively for quick adjustments - a boon for on-the-fly street or documentary shooting.

Sony W620: At a diminutive 98 x 56 x 20 mm and just 116 grams, the W620 is tiny and ultra-light. Its plastic chassis feels far less robust, emphasizing pocket-carry and casual shooting. Controls are minimalistic; many settings are menu-driven on a modest 2.7-inch screen. It’s clearly optimized for ease of use rather than customization or speed.

Verdict on ergonomics: The GR II comfortably suits serious photographers who want manual controls in a compact format, while the W620 trades handling finesse for ultra-portability aimed at first-time camera buyers or those upgrading from smartphones.

Top-side Control and Interface: Customization vs Simplicity

Moving to the topside, how a camera shapes its interface reveals much about whom it’s designed for.

The GR II offers a dedicated mode dial with full manual, shutter, aperture, and program modes. Its shutter release, exposure compensation dial, and programmable function buttons support rapid adjustment - critical in dynamic shooting scenarios. The lack of an articulating touchscreen may feel dated today, but the tactile controls enable confident operation without relying on menus.

Conversely, the W620 features only an on/off switch, zoom rocker, and shutter button. There are no dedicated dials or manual modes; users select scene modes or rely on full auto exposure. For users seeking a “point and shoot” simplicity without fuss, this is ideal - yet disappointing for those wanting creative control.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

This is where the comparison gains clarity: the image sensor. When I’m testing for sharpness, dynamic range, noise, and color depth, sensor size and technology set the ceiling for possible quality.

Ricoh GR II:

• Sensor: APS-C CMOS, size 23.7x15.7 mm (372.09mm² area)
• Resolution: 16 MP (4928 x 3264)
• DXOMark score: 80 overall, 23.6 bits color depth, 13.7 EV dynamic range, low light ISO 1078

The APS-C sensor is the GR II’s standout asset. Its 16-megapixel resolution balances exquisite detail with excellent noise management. During field testing - whether shooting dim interiors or sunny landscapes - the GR II impresses with wide dynamic range capturing broad tonal subtleties. The CMOS sensor architecture ensures fast readout and respectable performance at higher ISOs.

Sony W620:

• Sensor: 1/2.3” CCD, size 6.17x4.55 mm (28.07mm² area)
• Resolution: 14 MP (4320 x 3240)
• No official DXO test data available

The W620’s tiny 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor sits at a substantial disadvantage. While CCDs typically produce pleasant colors, this smaller sensor size means poorer light gathering, less dynamic range, and more noise at moderate to high ISO settings. Detail rendition also suffers compared to the APS-C sensor. Real-world use confirms the W620 struggles in less-than-ideal light, with grain and muted colors apparent beyond ISO 400.

Display and Viewfinder: Seeing Your Shot Before You Click

Good framing and image review tools form an essential part of the user experience, especially outside studio lighting.

The Ricoh GR II sports a 3-inch fixed LCD with 1230k dots, providing sharp, detailed image playback and clear menu navigation. Although the lack of touchscreen limits direct interaction, its display brightness and contrast make it usable even under bright sunlight - an important aspect for outdoor photographers. Optional optical viewfinders are available as accessories, pleasing traditionalists who prefer eye-level framing.

The Sony W620 has a smaller 2.7-inch screen with just 230k dots. The screen’s lower resolution and reflective surface hamper visibility in strong light, leading to some frustration during composition outdoors. Notably, there is no electronic or optical viewfinder, pushing reliance on the LCD - adequate for casual snapshots, but limiting for more deliberate compositions.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed and Accuracy Under Fire

Testing autofocus systems requires careful scene setups simulating fast action, low contrast, and complex backgrounds.

The Ricoh GR II employs contrast-detection autofocus with 9 points including face detection, continuous AF, and tracking. While not the fastest AF system by today’s standards, it is impressively accurate for a compact of this vintage. I repeatedly found that AF locks confidently even in low light or complicated urban environments when shooting street or portraits. Its continuous shooting speed sits at 4 fps - adequate for moderate action.

In comparison, the Sony W620 offers a more basic contrast detection AF system without continuous shooting (1 fps max) or manual focus support. It handles static subjects well but struggles tracking moving wildlife or sports. Focus hunting is timely and sometimes frustrating under challenging conditions.

Lens and Optical Quality: Fixed vs Zoom, Prime vs Versatility

Lens characteristics heavily shape the photographic possibilities for any compact.

Ricoh GR II’s fixed 28mm equivalent f/2.8 lens pairs perfectly with its APS-C sensor, delivering sharp, crisp images with excellent control over background separation. The bright aperture enables shallow depth-of-field effects deserved for street and portrait photography, and the modest wide-angle perspective is versatile for landscapes and urban scenes. However, no zoom means needing to “zoom with your feet” or attach optional converters.

Sony W620 boasts a 28-140mm (5x optical) zoom with an aperture f/3.2-6.5. The flexibility is great for family snapshots, travel, or casual wildlife spotting. Yet the lens is not particularly sharp, especially at telephoto settings, and the slow maximum aperture limits low light use and depth-of-field control.

Image Stabilization and Low-Light Performance

Neither camera offers in-body image stabilization - something notable for Ricoh given its higher price. The W620 also lacks optical stabilization. In practice, the GR II’s superior sensor performance and faster lens aperture generally compensate for stabilization absence in many conditions. Yet, handheld night shots often demand a tripod or flash.

The Sony W620’s lower light performance is limited by sensor and lens constraints. Indoors and low light, noise is pronounced, and shutter speeds drop to levels causing noticeable blur without flash.

Video Capabilities: Modest Yet Serviceable for Casual Use

Video has become indispensable but remains a secondary feature in many compact cameras.

The Ricoh GR II can record 1080p Full HD video up to 30 fps in H.264 codec, offering decent quality for vlogs or documentaries. However, the lack of microphone input and no 4K limits professional video aspirations. No in-body stabilization also hurts smoothness in handheld video.

The Sony W620 limits video to 720p at 30 fps with MJPEG format - adequate for casual clips but inferior in quality and compression efficiency. No mic input or advanced controls are present.

Connectivity and Storage: Modern Conveniences vs Basic Setup

The GR II integrates built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for rapid image sharing and remote capture - features appreciated by enthusiasts and street photographers wanting to offload images quickly. USB 2.0 and HDMI are also included for tethering and display.

The W620, released earlier, supports Eye-Fi wireless cards but no native Wi-Fi or NFC. Its storage options are broader, including SD and Memory Stick variants. Connectivity is otherwise limited, reflecting its entry-level design.

Battery Life and Portability for Travel and Street Use

Camera longevity on a single charge is crucial for on-the-go photographers.

Ricoh’s GR II boasts approximately 320 shots per charge under CIPA standards - not exceptional but reasonable for an APS-C compact. Battery swaps are straightforward, but the charger is proprietary.

Sony’s W620 offers about 220 shots per charge. Its smaller battery and simpler electronics contribute to this modest endurance, though the lightweight aids long-day carry comfort.

Durability and Weather Resistance: Suitability for Rugged Conditions

Neither camera features comprehensive weather sealing, dustproofing, or shockproofing. The GR II’s robust magnesium alloy shell, however, lends it a sense of ruggedness missing on the plastic-bodied W620.

Real-World Photography Testing Across Genres

To fully appreciate these cameras' capabilities, I tested them extensively across photography types. Below is a visual and analytical summary:

Ricoh GR II front Ricoh GR II screen back Sony W620 front Sony W620 screen back

Portraits

The GR II’s APS-C sensor with f/2.8 fixed lens achieves pleasing skin tones with natural bokeh, helping isolate subjects from backgrounds, critical in portraits. Its face detection and AF tracking generally keep eyes sharp.

The W620’s small sensor and slower lens result in flatter images with less background separation. Skin detail is adequate but limited by noise in indoor lighting.

Landscapes

Thanks to higher resolution and extended dynamic range, the GR II excels in landscape shots, capturing fine textures and wide tonal gradations from shadows to highlights. Its wide aperture also allows creative control.

The W620’s images are softer, lacking depth and nuanced color transitions. Wide zoom helps compose diverse focal lengths, but image quality cedes ground to the Ricoh.

Wildlife and Sports

The GR II’s modest burst rate (4 fps) and 9-point contrast-driven AF limit its competitiveness in fast action but remain capable for casual wildlife. The fixed 28mm equivalent lens restricts reach.

The W620’s slow focusing and 1 fps speed, albeit supported by a longer zoom, make it impractical for action or distant subjects.

Street Photography

This is where the GR II’s strengths shine brightest. Its compact size, fast lens, quiet shutter, and effective AF create a stealthy, reliable street camera. Though the lack of a viewfinder demands practice, the camera’s responsiveness aids decisive moments.

The W620 is smaller and lighter but lacks manual control or low-light prowess, hindering creative street work.

Macro Photography

Close focusing distances reveal the GR II’s ability to shoot near subjects competently at 10cm. The wider aperture aids depth control. W620 focuses slightly closer at 5cm but image quality drops due to sensor limits.

Night and Astrophotography

The GR II struggles with its lack of stabilization for sharp handheld night shots but high ISO performance and long exposure modes make manual tripod use rewarding.

The W620’s noise quickly becomes intrusive beyond ISO 400, and slow shutter options are limited.

Video

Neither camera targets serious videographers, but the GR II’s Full HD output and Wi-Fi sharing give it an edge for casual filmmaking. The W620’s 720p MPJG offering feels dated and less flexible.

Technical Summary: Overall Ratings and Scoring

After comprehensive evaluation, here are the key performance ratings for each camera, based on DxOMark data, hands-on tests, and feature set:

Photography Type Performance: A Genre-Specific Breakdown

Here is how each performs across photography genres:

• Portrait: GR II is preferred for image clarity and bokeh.
• Landscape: GR II dominates in resolution and dynamic range.
• Wildlife: Neither ideal, but W620 offers zoom reach, GR II better AF.
• Sports: GR II has better AF and frame rate but both limited.
• Street: GR II feels tailored for street with manual control.
• Macro: Both adequate, GR II edges with optics.
• Night/Astro: GR II preferred for sensor sensitivity.
• Video: GR II marginally better.
• Travel: W620 favored for compactness, GR II for image quality.
• Professional: Only GR II viable for professional use cases.

Recommendations Tailored to Your Needs

If you are a serious enthusiast or professional needing:

• High image quality and manual control in a pocketable form: The Ricoh GR II is clearly the better option. It’s a true street photographer's dream and capable landscape/still life tool.
• Reliable AF and moderate video capabilities: GR II also maintains an advantage.
• Better color depth, wider dynamic range, and higher ISO usability - the GR II delivers beyond this Sony’s reach.

If you want a budget, ultra-lightweight snapshot camera for casual use:

• The Sony W620 offers unmatched simplicity with a versatile zoom. If you are upgrading from a basic compact or smartphone and your primary requirement is portability and day-to-day snapshots, it’s an acceptable choice.

Final Thoughts: Legacy and Longevity in Compact Cameras

While the Ricoh GR II packs a large sensor and professional-grade image quality in a compact, it lacks some modern conveniences like touchscreen, 4K video, and in-body stabilization which contemporary large sensor compacts now offer. Still, it remains competitive in its niche, especially for those who prioritize image quality and manual control over bells and whistles.

The Sony W620 is almost a relic compared to today's compact cameras, but it retains a place for the budget-conscious looking for simplicity with decent zoom range. Its image output and speed limitations make it more of a casual companion than a serious photographic tool.

Our camera world turns fast, but for anyone balancing portability, image quality, and intuitive handling, the Ricoh GR II's historical pedigree and sophisticated feature set provide enduring value well beyond its modest price. The W620 is best regarded as a convenient, no-fuss snapshot camera designed more than a decade ago for simpler times.

Choosing between these two ultimately hinges on balancing your priorities for image quality, handling, and budget. I hope this deep dive helps guide your choice with clarity.

Happy shooting!

End of Comparison Article