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Ricoh GR III vs Sony A99 II

Portability
90
Imaging
69
Features
62
Overall
66
Ricoh GR III front
 
Sony Alpha A99 II front
Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
92
Overall
83

Ricoh GR III vs Sony A99 II 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
  • Released September 2018
  • Earlier Model is Ricoh GR III
  • Replacement is Ricoh GR III
Sony A99 II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Bump to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 849g - 143 x 104 x 76mm
  • Released September 2016
  • Previous Model is Sony A99
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Ricoh GR III vs Sony A99 II Overview

The following is a in depth analysis of the Ricoh GR III and Sony A99 II, one is a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Ricoh and Sony. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the GR III (24MP) and A99 II (42MP) and the GR III (APS-C) and A99 II (Full frame) have totally different sensor measurements.

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The GR III was revealed 2 years after the A99 II which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Ricoh GR III being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A99 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting right into a thorough comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the GR III matches up vs the A99 II in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh GR III over the Sony A99 II

 GR III A99 II 
ReleasedSeptember 2018September 2016Newer by 25 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A99 II over the Ricoh GR III

 A99 II GR III 
Display typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1229k1037kCrisper display (+192k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Ricoh GR III and Sony A99 II

 GR III A99 II 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements

Ricoh GR III vs Sony A99 II Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and measurements. The Ricoh GR III offers external measurements of 109mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 257 grams (0.57 lbs) and the Sony A99 II has proportions of 143mm x 104mm x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") and a weight of 849 grams (1.87 lbs).

Compare the Ricoh GR III and Sony A99 II in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the GR III against the A99 II.

Ricoh GR III vs Sony A99 II size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the GR III and A99 II is 90 and 57 respectively.

Ricoh GR III vs Sony A99 II top view buttons comparison

Ricoh GR III vs Sony A99 II Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions just by looking through technical specs. The picture below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the GR III and A99 II.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The GR III having a smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony A99 II will provide you with extra detail because of its extra 18MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The younger GR III will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Ricoh GR III vs Sony A99 II sensor size comparison

Ricoh GR III vs Sony A99 II Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh GR III vs Sony A99 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh GR III Portrait photography information
Sony A99 II Portrait photography information
81
focusing manually
MP count good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
86
you can focus manually
MP count great (42 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detection focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Ricoh GR III Street photography information
Sony A99 II Street photography information
84
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
has focus by touch
lighter than competitors in class (257 grams)
good ISO range (102,400)
no moving screen
76
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
very good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh GR III as a Sports photography camera
Sony A99 II as a Sports photography camera
76
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features tracking focus
has phase detect AF
focal length is fixed (28mm)
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count great (42 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
has phase detect auto focus
not so great battery (490 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Ricoh GR III
Travel photography with Sony A99 II
69
lighter than competitors in class (257 grams)
has focus by touch
MP count good (24 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
70
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
MP count great (42MP)
selfie friendly screen
not so great battery (490 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh GR III Landscape photography factors
Sony A99 II Landscape photography factors
69
focusing manually
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (102,400)
delivers RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
missing Time Lapse mode
82
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count great (42 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
has double storage slots
not so great battery (490 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh GR III Vlogging info
Sony A99 II Vlogging info
37
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (257g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing mic jack
78
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has external microphone port
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Ricoh GR III vs Sony A99 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh GR III and Sony A99 II
 Ricoh GR IIISony Alpha A99 II
General Information
Make Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh GR III Sony Alpha A99 II
Class Large Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2018-09-25 2016-09-19
Body design Large Sensor Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 42MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6000 x 4000 7952 x 5304
Maximum native ISO 102400 25600
Maximum boosted ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 399
Cross type focus points - 79
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28mm (1x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-16 -
Macro focusing distance 6cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully articulated
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,037k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Flash On, Flash On+Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Slow Sync+Red-eye Off, auto, fill, slow sync, redeye reduction, rear sync, high-speed sync, wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 257g (0.57 lb) 849g (1.87 lb)
Physical dimensions 109 x 62 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") 143 x 104 x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 92
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 2317
Other
Battery life - 490 shots
Battery form - NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery & charger
Self timer Yes Yes (2, 5, 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Internal, SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS Duo slots
Storage slots One 2
Cost at launch $900 $3,198