Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-3
90 Imaging
58 Features
54 Overall
56
![Ricoh GR front Ricoh GR front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Ricoh-GR/Ricoh-GR-front.jpg)
![Sony Alpha NEX-3 front Sony Alpha NEX-3 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Sony-Alpha-NEX-3/Sony-NEX-3-front.jpg)
89 Imaging
54 Features
55 Overall
54
Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(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
- Released April 2013
- Replacement is Ricoh GR II
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
- Released June 2010
- Refreshed by Sony NEX-C3
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-3 Overview
Lets look closer at the Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-3, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Ricoh and Sony. The image resolution of the GR (16MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is relatively close and both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (APS-C).
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
The GR was brought out 2 years later than the NEX-3 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Ricoh GR being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a short introduction of how the GR scores vs the NEX-3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-3 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Ricoh GR and Sony Alpha NEX-3. The entire galleries are available at Ricoh GR Gallery and Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Ricoh GR over the Sony NEX-3
GR | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | April 2013 | ![]() | June 2010 | Fresher by 35 months |
Screen resolution | 1230k | ![]() | 920k | Sharper screen (+310k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Ricoh GR
NEX-3 | GR | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Ricoh GR and Sony NEX-3
GR | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither offers Touch screen |
Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to carry your camera often, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Ricoh GR offers outer dimensions of 117mm x 61mm x 35mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3 has dimensions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Contrast the Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use at that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the GR vs the NEX-3.
![Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Ricoh-GR-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-3-size-comparison.jpg)
Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GR and NEX-3 is 90 and 89 respectively.
![Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Ricoh-GR-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-3-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is hard to see the gap in sensor sizing just by looking through technical specs. The visual here may provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the GR and NEX-3.
As you have seen, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Ricoh GR to render greater detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The younger GR is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.
![Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Ricoh-GR-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-3-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder
![Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Ricoh-GR-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-3-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
Ricoh GR | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Ricoh | Sony |
Model type | Ricoh GR | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
Type | Large Sensor Compact | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2013-04-17 | 2010-06-07 |
Body design | Large Sensor Compact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.7 x 15.7mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 372.1mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 4592 x 3056 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 12800 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
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 | - | 25 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | Sony E |
Lens zoom range | 28mm (1x) | - |
Highest aperture | f/2.8 | - |
Amount of lenses | - | 121 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 1,230 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 300s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 4.0 frames per second | 7.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.40 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m |
Flash options | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/4000s | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4 | MPEG-4 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Eye-Fi Connected |
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 gr (0.54 pounds) | 297 gr (0.65 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 117 x 61 x 35mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.4") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 78 | 68 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.6 | 22.1 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 13.5 | 12.0 |
DXO Low light rating | 972 | 830 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 290 shots | 330 shots |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | DB65 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD, SDHC, SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch pricing | $971 | $0 |