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Ricoh GR II vs Sony W690

Portability
89
Imaging
59
Features
55
Overall
57
Ricoh GR II front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Ricoh GR II vs Sony W690 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
  • Revealed June 2015
  • Earlier Model is Ricoh GR
Sony W690
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 56 x 22mm
  • Introduced February 2012
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Ricoh GR II vs Sony W690 Overview

Here is a thorough assessment of the Ricoh GR II and Sony W690, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Ricoh and Sony. The resolution of the GR II (16MP) and the W690 (16MP) is very close but the GR II (APS-C) and W690 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor size.

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The GR II was announced 3 years later than the W690 and that is a fairly serious gap 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 W690 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a brief summation of how the GR II grades against the W690 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Ricoh GR II over the Sony W690

 GR II W690 
IntroducedJune 2015February 2012Fresher by 41 months
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display resolution1230k230kCrisper display (+1000k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W690 over the Ricoh GR II

 W690 GR II 

Common features in the Ricoh GR II and Sony W690

 GR II W690 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Ricoh GR II vs Sony W690 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Ricoh GR II provides exterior dimensions 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 W690 has specifications of 94mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Look at the Ricoh GR II and Sony W690 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the GR II vs the W690.

Ricoh GR II vs Sony W690 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the GR II and W690 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Ricoh GR II vs Sony W690 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh GR II vs Sony W690 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizing simply by researching technical specs. The visual below may give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the GR II and W690.

As you can tell, both of those cameras feature the identical MP but not the same sensor sizing. The GR II offers the larger sensor which will make getting shallow depth of field less difficult. The more modern GR II is going to have an edge in sensor innovation.

Ricoh GR II vs Sony W690 sensor size comparison

Ricoh GR II vs Sony W690 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh GR II vs Sony W690 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh GR II as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W690 as a Portrait photography camera
75
focusing manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
34
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
provides face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Ricoh GR II Street photography details
Sony W690 Street photography details
74
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than others (251g)
great ISO range (25,600)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Ricoh GR II
Sports photography with Sony W690
50
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
focal length is fixed (28mm)
slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
has no phase detect autofocus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Ricoh GR II
Travel photography with Sony W690
67
lighter than others (251 grams)
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
68
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
no Timelapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh GR II Landscape photography features
Sony W690 Landscape photography features
59
focusing manually
nice screen size (3 inches)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not have image stabilization
missing Timelapse mode
43
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh GR II Vlogging information
Sony W690 Vlogging information
32
supports face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (251g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
missing external microphone support
31
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone socket
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Ricoh GR II vs Sony W690 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh GR II and Sony W690
 Ricoh GR IISony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
General Information
Company Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh GR II Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
Type Large Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2015-06-17 2012-02-28
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip GR Engine V BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 25600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28mm (1x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-16.0 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 10cm 5cm
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - ClearPhoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 300 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m (at Auto ISO) 3.30 m
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, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 251g (0.55 lb) 142g (0.31 lb)
Physical dimensions 117 x 63 x 35mm (4.6" x 2.5" x 1.4") 94 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1078 not tested
Other
Battery life 320 shots 220 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DB-65 NP-BN
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $599 $297