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Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
90
Imaging
57
Features
54
Overall
55
Ricoh GR front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-5N 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
  • Later Model is Ricoh GR II
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Announced October 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-5
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-5R
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Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

Here is a detailed comparison of the Ricoh GR and Sony NEX-5N, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Ricoh and Sony. The resolution of the GR (16MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is fairly close and both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The GR was launched 19 months later than the NEX-5N making them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Ricoh GR being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going right into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the GR matches up versus the NEX-5N when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh GR over the Sony NEX-5N

 GR NEX-5N 
AnnouncedApril 2013October 2011Fresher by 19 months
Display resolution1230k920kSharper display (+310k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Ricoh GR

 NEX-5N GR 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Ricoh GR and Sony NEX-5N

 GR NEX-5N 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Ricoh GR enjoys external dimensions of 117mm x 61mm x 35mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5N has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Examine the Ricoh GR and Sony NEX-5N in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the GR and the NEX-5N.

Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GR and NEX-5N is 90 and 89 respectively.

Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Normally, its difficult to picture the difference in sensor sizing merely by viewing technical specs. The photograph below will help give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the GR and NEX-5N.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same megapixels so you should expect comparable quality of files though you need to take the release date of the cameras into account. The newer GR provides an edge in sensor tech.

Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Ricoh GR
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5N
74
has manual focus
above average flash sync (1/4,000s)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
73
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Ricoh GR Street photography features
Sony NEX-5N Street photography features
74
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition (245 grams)
great high ISO (25,600)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
80
screen tilts
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
good ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh GR as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Sports photography camera
45
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
can't change focal length (28mm)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
58
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery life (460 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh GR Travel photography factors
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography factors
71
lighter than competition (245 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
70
better than average battery life (460 CIPA)
boasts focus via touch
good resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh GR Landscape photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography advice
61
has manual focus
pretty good screen size (3")
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (28mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have image stabilization
71
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (460 shots)
lack of image stabilization
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh GR Vlogging information
Sony NEX-5N Vlogging information
30
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (245g)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
no microphone support
33
touchscreen
supports face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of microphone jack
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Ricoh GR vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh GR and Sony NEX-5N
 Ricoh GRSony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Make Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh GR Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Class Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2013-04-17 2011-10-03
Body design Large Sensor Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4928 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 25
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 28mm (1x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8 -
Total lenses - 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT LCD Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 300 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.40 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/4000 seconds 1/160 seconds
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 245g (0.54 lbs) 269g (0.59 lbs)
Physical dimensions 117 x 61 x 35mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.4") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 78 77
DXO Color Depth rating 23.6 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.5 12.7
DXO Low light rating 972 1079
Other
Battery life 290 shots 460 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DB65 NPFW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD, SDHC, SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $971 $550