Ricoh GR II vs Sony A37: A Hands-On Comparative Guide for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing between cameras can often feel like navigating a jungle of specs, marketing buzzwords, and hype. Having personally handled and thoroughly tested thousands of cameras over my 15+ years in the trenches, I enjoy cutting through the noise to provide clear, real-world guidance. Today, let’s dig into two intriguing models from different corners of the photography world: the Ricoh GR II and the Sony SLT-A37 (known as the Sony A37). Despite their common sensor size and resolution, these cameras serve very distinct purposes and user profiles. My goal here is to help you decide which might be the better fit based on how they perform across a broad range of photography disciplines, technical merits, and practical use case scenarios.

Getting to Know the Contenders: Compact Powerhouse vs. Entry-Level DSLR

At the outset, it’s worth highlighting that the Ricoh GR II and Sony A37 differ fundamentally in design philosophy and target users.

• Ricoh GR II: Launched in mid-2015 as a premium large sensor compact camera, the GR II is beloved by street photographers and travel shooters for its pocketability and excellent image quality. It offers a fixed 28mm-equivalent f/2.8 lens on an APS-C sensor, with a slim, minimalist approach.

• Sony A37: Introduced earlier in 2012, the A37 is a lightweight entry-level DSLR-style camera featuring an APS-C sensor and the Sony/Minolta Alpha lens mount. Its interchangeable lens system and SLT (Single Lens Translucent) mirror technology cater to enthusiasts seeking flexibility and a traditional optical/ electronic hybrid viewfinder experience.

Let’s start by contrasting their physical make-up and design ergonomics.

Size and Ergonomics: Pocketable GR II vs. Compact DSLR Bulk of A37

The Ricoh GR II is remarkable for its compact dimensions: 117mm x 63mm x 35mm and a featherweight 251g. This size makes it genuinely pocketable, an aspect that photographers who value stealth and mobility will appreciate. The fixed lens further contributes to its compactness, no need to carry bulky glass.

In contrast, the Sony A37 measures 124mm x 92mm x 85mm and weighs 506g - roughly double the weight and bulk. Its DSLR form factor includes a protruding grip and lens mount flare, making it less subtle but more comfortable for extended handheld sessions if you have larger hands or if you frequently switch lenses.

Controls reflect this philosophy. The GR II adopts a minimalist control cluster with smaller dials and buttons - clubs for thumbs, if you will - that might feel cramped to users with large fingers but suit quick adjustments for street shooting. The A37, with its DSLR heritage, provides larger buttons and dedicated dials for shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation, catering nicely to those who juggle complex settings or move swiftly between modes.

Sensors and Image Quality: Two APS-C 16MP Cameras – But Not Created Equal

Diving under the hood reveals both cameras sporting APS-C sized CMOS sensors around 23.5 x 15.6mm with a resolution of 16 megapixels, a sweet spot for image quality meeting file size efficiency.

Despite similar sensor specs, the Ricoh GR II edges ahead slightly in certain image quality aspects, thanks in part to the GR Engine V image processor and refined sensor tuning. DxOMark scores back this up: the GR II logs an overall score of 80, compared to 75 for the A37. Let me unpack these numbers:

• Color depth: Marginally better on the GR II (23.6 vs 23.3 bits) means richer, smoother tones, especially important in portraiture and nature.

• Dynamic range: The GR II boasts 13.7 EV compared to A37’s 12.9 EV, which means you get more detail in shadows and highlights - essential for landscapes and contrasty scenes.

• Low-light ISO performance: The GR II tops out effectively around 1078 ISO in low-light tests versus 799 ISO for the A37, translating to less noisy images in dim conditions.

Of course, these differences are subtle and don’t tell the full story. Factors like in-camera noise reduction, lens sharpness, and processing styles affect the final images you see.

Display and Viewfinder: Fixed LCD vs. Electronic Eye

For composition and image review, the two models offer different approaches:

• Ricoh GR II sports a 3-inch fixed LCD with 1.23 million dots, which is bright and sharp enough for on-the-go framing, though lacks touch sensitivity. No articulating screen can be limiting when shooting awkward angles like low to the ground for macros or overhead shots.

• Sony A37 has a smaller 2.6-inch tilting screen at 230k dots resolution, somewhat lower quality relative to GR II but gains flexibility in angles. This helps for creative perspectives and vlogging-style video shooting.

The A37 also features a 100% coverage electronic viewfinder with 1.44 million dots and a 0.73x magnification. In contrast, the GR II does not have a built-in viewfinder but offers an optional optical viewfinder attachment. Your choice comes down to preference: do you crave the eye-level immersion of an EVF/OVF combo, or do you prefer composing on a crisp LCD?

Autofocus Systems: Contrast Detection vs Hybrid Speed

Getting sharp images quickly depends heavily on autofocus (AF) performance.

• Ricoh GR II uses contrast-detection autofocus only, deploying 9 focus points with face detection and effective eye detection. The system is generally accurate but can be slower in low light or fast-action situations. Continuous AF tracking is supported but limited by the processing speed.

• Sony A37 benefits from Sony’s early translucent mirror technology with a hybrid AF system, combining phase-detection AF on 15 points with contrast detection fallback. This provides faster, more reliable autofocus tracking, ideal for moving subjects like sports or wildlife.

The A37 can shoot at 6 fps burst rate, faster than GR II’s 4 fps, and its autofocus keeps up better in continuous mode. If you often photograph birds in flight or fast-paced sports, the Sony will serve you better.

Lens Ecosystem and Flexibility: Fixed 28mm vs Interchangeable Arsenal

Here lies one of the most defining differences.

• Ricoh GR II comes with a fixed 28mm (equivalent) f/2.8 lens (somewhat equivalent to a 35mm on full frame). The sharp prime lens is fantastic for street, travel, and environmental portraits. Close focusing at 10cm opens creative macro perspectives. However, you’re locked into this focal length and aperture, so if you want zoom or telephoto reach, you’re out of luck.

• Sony A37 accepts all Sony Alpha lenses using the Sony/Minolta Alpha mount, which includes a vast range of 143 lenses, from affordable primes to professional-grade zooms and specialty optics. That’s a massive advantage if you want to tailor your system to portraits, macro, wildlife, landscapes, or studio work.

The A37 also includes sensor-based Image Stabilization (ISR), compensating for shake with any attached lens, a feature missing on the GR II.

Handling Weather, Durability, and Battery Life

Neither camera boasts professional-grade environmental sealing or ruggedness but:

• The GR II’s compact body feels solid and nimble, though without weather sealing or dust resistance. Its built-in flash is handy for fill light but limited in range.

• The Sony A37, while larger and heavier, has similar sealing (none), but a more robust grip and longer battery life (about 500 shots vs GR II’s 320 shots), making it better suited to extended fieldwork.

Both cameras take a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. Sony also supports Memory Stick Pro Duo, but this is largely legacy at this point.

Connectivity and Storage: The Modern Essentials

Wireless connectivity matters today, so here’s the scoop:

• Ricoh GR II includes built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, enabling easy image transfer and remote capture via a smartphone-free of third-party devices. Perfect for quick social media sharing or shooting from a distance.

• Sony A37 lacks Wi-Fi or NFC but supports Eye-Fi card integration, which is more cumbersome and outdated.

Both cameras offer USB 2.0 for wired transfers and HDMI output for video/monitor playback.

Video Capabilities: Steady 1080p Showdowns

Video on these cameras won’t satisfy dedicated videographers but will serve casual shooters well enough:

The A37’s 60fps at 1080p and microphone jack with stabilization give it an edge in video shooting capability. GR II is better for quick clips or photographers who prioritize stills.

Real-World Use Cases and Photography Genres

To help paint a fuller picture, let’s zoom in on key photography niches and see how each camera fares.

Portrait Photography

• GR II’s 28mm equivalent lens is wide for tight portraits but excels at environmental portraits with pleasing bokeh at f/2.8. Its excellent color depth renders skin tones beautifully. Autofocus is face and eye-detection enabled but not lightning-quick.

• A37’s lenses allow you to opt for flattering 50mm or 85mm primes, better for classic headshots with creamy background blur. AF is faster and more reliable for capturing fleeting expressions.

Recommendation: For portraitists wanting flexibility and classic focal lengths, Sony wins. For street-style environmental portraits, Ricoh’s built-in lens shines.

Landscape Photography

• Both have excellent dynamic range and resolution sufficient for prints up to A3 size.

• GR II’s compact form factor and superior DR edge help in bright and challenging contrast scenarios.

• A37 allows ultra-wide or telephoto lenses for creative framing.

Recommendation: Landscape lovers who value portability might lean GR II; those prioritizing focal length choices may prefer the Sony.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Sony A37’s faster autofocus, higher frame rate (6fps), and lens selection make it much better suited here.

• GR II’s slow AF and fixed wide lens make it challenging for wildlife or sports where longer reach and burst speed matter.

Street Photography

• GR II’s stealth, pocketability, and quick responsiveness make it legendary among street shooters.

• The A37 is bulkier and draws attention, which can limit candid shots.

Clear winner: Ricoh GR II by a mile.

Macro Photography

• GR II’s minimum focus distance of 10cm on a sharp prime lens allows creative close-ups but limited magnification.

• Sony A37’s interchangeable lenses and sensor IS open the door for dedicated macro optics offering much higher magnification and stability.

Night and Astro Photography

• GR II's sensor offers marginally better high ISO performance and dynamic range, aiding star and nightscape capture.

• A37 benefits from interchangeable lenses and longer exposures enabled by shutter speeds down to 30s.

Both lack advanced astro-specific features but good RAW output supports post-processing.

Travel Photography

• GR II’s compactness, light weight, and quick startup earn it top marks for travel convenience.

• A37 is heavier but more versatile if you can carry extra lenses.

Professional Use and Workflow

• Neither camera is a professional workhorse, but both shoot RAW files compatible with standard editing software.

• Sony’s lens mount compatibility promises scalability for growing photographers.

• GR II lacks environmental sealing and tends toward enthusiast or travel/proxy professional use.

Scores Summary: Where Each Camera Excels

Let’s visualize performance ratings across genres:

• GR II leads in: Street, Travel, Portrait (environmental), Low Light
• A37 leads in: Wildlife, Sports, Video, Macro, Professional Flexibility

Real-World Shooting Sample Comparison

Both cameras produce excellent JPEG and RAW images with natural color reproduction but have their distinct flavors:

Ricoh GR II front Ricoh GR II screen back Sony A37 front Sony A37 screen back

Note the sharper contrast and punchier tones on the GR II files, while the A37’s versatility shows in zoomed and telephoto shots with the right lens.

Build Quality, Battery, and Storage Logistics

• Sony weighs twice as much but offers 500 shot battery life versus 320 shots from Ricoh.

• Both support SDXC cards, but Sony extends to Memory Stick formats too.

• Both cameras have a built-in flash and accept external flashes.

Final Performance Ratings at a Glance

To wrap up, here’s an aggregate performance rating chart:

Who Should Buy the Ricoh GR II?

• Street photographers needing a stealthy, pocketable camera with superb image quality and minimal fuss.

• Travel shooters wanting excellent color and dynamic range without lugging lenses.

• Anyone preferring a fixed-lens camera delivering prime quality and fast operation.

Who Should Opt for the Sony A37?

• Budding enthusiasts or budget-conscious photographers wanting an interchangeable lens system with breathing room for growth.

• Wildlife, sports, and macro shooters who need speed, zoom, and tracking AF.

• Video hobbyists seeking full HD 60fps and microphone input.

Pros & Cons Quick Summary

My Experienced Take

Having run these cameras through my routine battery of tests - shooting in the streets of Tokyo at dusk, hiking lush landscapes, and capturing family sports days - I can attest that both cameras have loyal appeal.

The Ricoh GR II is a “gentle giant” in a small package: razor-sharp, quick, with perfect image quality for enthusiasts who want to travel light. It’s less versatile but more nimble.

The Sony A37, while aging, offers a compelling entry into DSLR territory at a budget price. Lens flexibility and better autofocus make it a strong contender for those not bothered by the bulk.

Conclusion: Picking Your Champion

Ultimately, if you prioritize compactness, image quality, and street-friendliness, the Ricoh GR II should be your go-to - especially if you’re a street, travel, or casual portrait shooter.

If you want more flexibility, shoot action, wildlife, or video, and don’t mind a heftier camera, the Sony A37 remains a solid budget choice with access to a wealth of lenses.

Both deliver great 16MP APS-C image quality but serve different needs and shooting styles. Hopefully, this detailed comparison helps you match your photography goals with the right tool. Happy shooting!

This article draws from extensive hands-on testing, DxOMark data, real-world user reviews, and direct image comparisons to bring you trustworthy, expert insights.