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Ricoh GR III vs Sony A500

Portability
90
Imaging
69
Features
62
Overall
66
Ricoh GR III front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Ricoh GR III vs Sony A500 Key Specs

Ricoh GR III
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Succeeded the Ricoh GR III
  • Successor is Ricoh GR III
Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Released August 2009
  • Successor is Sony A560
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Ricoh GR III vs Sony A500 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Ricoh GR III and Sony A500, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Ricoh and Sony. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the GR III (24MP) and A500 (12MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The GR III was revealed 9 years later than the A500 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Ricoh GR III being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise summation of how the GR III matches up vs the A500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh GR III over the Sony A500

 GR III A500 
ReleasedSeptember 2018August 2009More recent by 111 months
Display resolution1037k230kSharper display (+807k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Ricoh GR III

 A500 GR III 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Ricoh GR III and Sony A500

 GR III A500 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Ricoh GR III vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Ricoh GR III features exterior dimensions of 109mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 257 grams (0.57 lbs) and the Sony A500 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

Take a look at the Ricoh GR III and Sony A500 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the GR III and the A500.

Ricoh GR III vs Sony A500 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the GR III and A500 is 90 and 63 respectively.

Ricoh GR III vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh GR III vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to imagine the gap between sensor measurements merely by reading through specifications. The graphic underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the GR III and A500.

To sum up, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You should anticipate the Ricoh GR III to give more detail because of its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images a little more aggressively. The more recent GR III should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Ricoh GR III vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Ricoh GR III vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh GR III vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh GR III Portrait photography advice
Sony A500 Portrait photography advice
81
manual focus
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW files
63
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Ricoh GR III Street photography info
Sony A500 Street photography info
84
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
offers focus via touch
lighter than others (257 grams)
good high ISO (102,400)
screen is fixed
74
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Ricoh GR III
Sports photography with Sony A500
76
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
fixed focal length (28mm)
51
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery pack (520 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh GR III Travel photography features
Sony A500 Travel photography features
69
lighter than others (257g)
offers focus via touch
resolution is good (24MP)
missing Time Lapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
43
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (520 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Ricoh GR III Landscape photography advice
Sony A500 Landscape photography advice
69
manual focus
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
good high ISO (102,400)
saves RAW files
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
missing Time Lapse recording
60
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (520 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh GR III Vlogging factors
Sony A500 Vlogging factors
37
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (257g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
missing mic jack
9
no video
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Ricoh GR III vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh GR III and Sony A500
 Ricoh GR IIISony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Brand Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh GR III Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Type Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2018-09-25 2009-08-27
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6000 x 4000 4272 x 2848
Max native ISO 102400 12800
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28mm (1x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-16 -
Macro focusing distance 6cm -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,037k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (optional) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Flash On, Flash On+Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Slow Sync+Red-eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 257 gr (0.57 lb) 630 gr (1.39 lb)
Dimensions 109 x 62 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 64
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 772
Other
Battery life - 520 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Internal, SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported) SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at release $900 $638