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Ricoh GR vs Sony A9

Portability
90
Imaging
58
Features
54
Overall
56
Ricoh GR front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81

Ricoh GR vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Ricoh GR
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28mm (F2.8) lens
  • 245g - 117 x 61 x 35mm
  • Revealed April 2013
  • Successor is Ricoh GR II
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Introduced April 2017
  • Replacement is Sony A9 II
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Ricoh GR vs Sony A9 Overview

The following is a thorough review of the Ricoh GR vs Sony A9, one is a Large Sensor Compact and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Ricoh and Sony. There is a significant difference among the sensor resolutions of the GR (16MP) and A9 (24MP) and the GR (APS-C) and A9 (Full frame) provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The GR was introduced 5 years before the A9 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Ricoh GR being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short overview of how the GR grades vs the A9 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh GR over the Sony A9

 GR A9 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Ricoh GR

 A9 GR 
IntroducedApril 2017April 2013Newer by 48 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1440k1230kClearer screen (+210k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Ricoh GR and Sony A9

 GR A9 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Ricoh GR vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera often, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Ricoh GR provides exterior measurements of 117mm x 61mm x 35mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs) while the Sony A9 has dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") along with a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Compare the Ricoh GR vs Sony A9 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the GR and the A9.

Ricoh GR vs Sony A9 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the GR and A9 is 90 and 65 respectively.

Ricoh GR vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh GR vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by researching technical specs. The pic here will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the GR and A9.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The GR having a smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh more difficult and the Sony A9 will render extra detail using its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged GR will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Ricoh GR vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Ricoh GR vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh GR vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh GR Portrait photography features
Sony A9 Portrait photography features
74
manual focus
high flash sync (1/4,000 seconds)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
83
manual focus
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Ricoh GR Street photography factors
Sony A9 Street photography factors
74
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition (245g)
good high ISO (25,600)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
79
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
has focus via touch
weather sealing
very good high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh GR as a Sports photography camera
Sony A9 as a Sports photography camera
45
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
focal length is fixed (28mm)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
86
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (20.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has tracking focus
weather sealing
great battery power (650 per charge)
has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh GR Travel photography advice
Sony A9 Travel photography advice
71
lighter than competition (245 grams)
decent MP (16MP)
has built in flash
does not feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
73
great battery power (650 per charge)
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
has focus via touch
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Ricoh GR
Landscape photography with Sony A9
62
manual focus
nice screen size (3")
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
lack of image stabilization
85
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
very good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
great battery power (650 per charge)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh GR Vlogging factors
Sony A9 Vlogging factors
30
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (245 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
missing external mic jack
36
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has mic port
screen is not selfie friendly
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Ricoh GR vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh GR and Sony A9
 Ricoh GRSony Alpha A9
General Information
Company Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh GR Sony Alpha A9
Class Large Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2013-04-17 2017-04-19
Body design Large Sensor Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 25600 51200
Highest boosted ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 693
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 28mm (1x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8 -
Available lenses - 121
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,230k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 300 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.0fps 20.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.40 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes - Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/4000 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 ( 60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 245 grams (0.54 pounds) 673 grams (1.48 pounds)
Physical dimensions 117 x 61 x 35mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.4") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 78 92
DXO Color Depth rating 23.6 24.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.5 13.3
DXO Low light rating 972 3517
Other
Battery life 290 photos 650 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DB65 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD, SDHC, SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots 1 2
Price at launch $971 $4,498