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Ricoh GR III vs Sony A7S

Portability
90
Imaging
69
Features
62
Overall
66
Ricoh GR III front
 
Sony Alpha A7S front
Portability
77
Imaging
60
Features
73
Overall
65

Ricoh GR III vs Sony A7S Key Specs

Ricoh GR III
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 102400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28mm (F2.8-16) lens
  • 257g - 109 x 62 x 33mm
  • Announced September 2018
  • Old Model is Ricoh GR III
  • Later Model is Ricoh GR III
Sony A7S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 409600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 489g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Released April 2014
  • Updated by Sony A7S II
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Ricoh GR III vs Sony A7S Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Ricoh GR III versus Sony A7S, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Ricoh and Sony. There is a crucial difference between the resolutions of the GR III (24MP) and A7S (12MP) and the GR III (APS-C) and A7S (Full frame) possess totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The GR III was released 4 years later than the A7S and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Ricoh GR III being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A7S being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a complete comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the GR III matches up against the A7S with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh GR III over the Sony A7S

 GR III A7S 
ReleasedSeptember 2018April 2014More recent by 55 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A7S over the Ricoh GR III

 A7S GR III 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1230k1037kSharper screen (+193k dot)

Common features in the Ricoh GR III and Sony A7S

 GR III A7S 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Ricoh GR III vs Sony A7S Physical Comparison

When you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Ricoh GR III comes with external dimensions of 109mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 257 grams (0.57 lbs) and the Sony A7S has measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") having a weight of 489 grams (1.08 lbs).

See the Ricoh GR III versus Sony A7S in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the GR III and the A7S.

Ricoh GR III vs Sony A7S size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the GR III and A7S is 90 and 77 respectively.

Ricoh GR III vs Sony A7S top view buttons comparison

Ricoh GR III vs Sony A7S Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to envision the gap between sensor measurements just by reading through specs. The graphic below will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the GR III and A7S.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The GR III featuring a tinier sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field tougher and the Ricoh GR III will give you more detail as a result of its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The younger GR III is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Ricoh GR III vs Sony A7S sensor size comparison

Ricoh GR III vs Sony A7S Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh GR III vs Sony A7S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh GR III as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A7S as a Portrait photography camera
81
manual focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
68
has manual focus
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Ricoh GR III Street photography details
Sony A7S Street photography details
84
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
includes touch focus
lighter than others in class (257g)
above average ISO range (102,400)
fixed screen
76
has a tilting screen
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
lighter than competition (489 grams)
very good high ISO (409,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh GR III Sports photography information
Sony A7S Sports photography information
76
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
has phase detect autofocus
can't change focal length (28mm)
52
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
environment proof
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
low battery life (360 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Ricoh GR III
Travel photography with Sony A7S
69
lighter than others in class (257 grams)
includes touch focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
no Time Lapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
58
lighter than competition (489 grams)
environment proof
low battery life (360 CIPA)
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh GR III Landscape photography info
Sony A7S Landscape photography info
69
manual focus
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (102,400)
delivers RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no Time Lapse recording
66
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3")
big sensor size (Full frame)
very good high ISO (409,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
low battery life (360 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh GR III Vlogging advice
Sony A7S Vlogging advice
37
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (257 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no mic socket
34
comes with face detect focusing
high video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has mic port
lighter than competition (489 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
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Ricoh GR III vs Sony A7S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh GR III and Sony A7S
 Ricoh GR IIISony Alpha A7S
General Information
Manufacturer Ricoh Sony
Model Ricoh GR III Sony Alpha A7S
Type Large Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2018-09-25 2014-04-06
Body design Large Sensor Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 4240 x 2832
Maximum native ISO 102400 409600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 28mm (1x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-16 -
Macro focus distance 6cm -
Available lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,037k dot 1,230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, Flash On, Flash On+Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Slow Sync+Red-eye no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160, XAVC S 1080 60p(50Mbps), 30p (50Mbps), 24p (50Mbps). 720 120p (50Mbps). AVCHD 60p (28Mbps), 60i (24Mbps/17Mbps), 24p (24Mbps/17Mbps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 257 gr (0.57 lb) 489 gr (1.08 lb)
Dimensions 109 x 62 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 87
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.2
DXO Low light score not tested 3702
Other
Battery life - 360 photos
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage Internal, SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $900 $1,998