Ricoh GR vs Sony A550

Its time to examine more closely at the Ricoh GR and Sony A550, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Ricoh and Sony. The resolution of the GR (16MP) and the A550 (14MP) is very similar and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The GR was released 3 years later than the A550 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Ricoh GR being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a short summation of how the GR scores versus the A550 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Ricoh GR and Sony Alpha DSLR-A550. The complete galleries are available at Ricoh GR Gallery and Sony A550 Gallery.

When you are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and measurements. The Ricoh GR enjoys external 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 A550 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Compare the Ricoh GR and Sony A550 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the GR vs the A550.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GR and A550 is 90 and 63 respectively.

More often than not, it is hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reading a spec sheet. The photograph here may give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the GR and A550.

Clearly, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Ricoh GR to deliver more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos far more aggressively. The newer GR will have an edge in sensor technology.