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Ricoh GR vs Sony A290

Portability
90
Imaging
57
Features
54
Overall
55
Ricoh GR front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Ricoh GR vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Ricoh GR
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28mm (F2.8) lens
  • 245g - 117 x 61 x 35mm
  • Revealed April 2013
  • Replacement is Ricoh GR II
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Released June 2010
  • Previous Model is Sony A230
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Ricoh GR vs Sony A290 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Ricoh GR and Sony A290, one is a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Ricoh and Sony. The resolution of the GR (16MP) and the A290 (14MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras offer the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The GR was introduced 2 years after the A290 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Ricoh GR being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the GR scores vs the A290 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh GR over the Sony A290

 GR A290 
ReleasedApril 2013June 2010Newer by 35 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1230k230kClearer display (+1000k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Ricoh GR

 A290 GR 

Common features in the Ricoh GR and Sony A290

 GR A290 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Ricoh GR vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and volume. The Ricoh GR provides outside measurements of 117mm x 61mm x 35mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs) while the Sony A290 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Contrast the Ricoh GR and Sony A290 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the GR compared to the A290.

Ricoh GR vs Sony A290 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GR and A290 is 90 and 66 respectively.

Ricoh GR vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh GR vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions just by checking out specifications. The image underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the GR and A290.

Plainly, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Ricoh GR to produce greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The fresher GR provides an edge in sensor technology.

Ricoh GR vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Ricoh GR vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh GR vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh GR Portrait photography advice
Sony A290 Portrait photography advice
74
focusing manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/4,000 seconds)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
65
manual focus
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Ricoh GR as a Street photography camera
Sony A290 as a Street photography camera
74
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than average in class (245 grams)
above average high ISO (25,600)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh GR Sports photography details
Sony A290 Sports photography details
45
decent MP (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
focal length is fixed (28mm)
max frames per second low (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
max fps low (3.0 fps)
low battery pack (290 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh GR Travel photography information
Sony A290 Travel photography information
71
lighter than average in class (245g)
decent MP (16MP)
has built in flash
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
53
good MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low battery pack (290 per charge)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Ricoh GR
Landscape photography with Sony A290
61
focusing manually
nice screen size (3")
decent MP (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
lack of image stabilization
58
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no liveview feature
low battery pack (290 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Ricoh GR
Vlogging with Sony A290
30
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (245 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
missing mic socket
9
no video
Photography Glossary

Ricoh GR vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh GR and Sony A290
 Ricoh GRSony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Company Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh GR Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Category Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2013-04-17 2010-06-09
Body design Large Sensor Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4928 x 3264 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 25600 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28mm (1x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8 -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 1,230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (optional) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 300 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.40 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/4000 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 245 grams (0.54 lbs) 549 grams (1.21 lbs)
Physical dimensions 117 x 61 x 35mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.4") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 78 66
DXO Color Depth rating 23.6 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.5 11.5
DXO Low light rating 972 615
Other
Battery life 290 images 290 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DB65 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD, SDHC, SDXC Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $971 $600