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Ricoh GR vs Sony a1

Portability
90
Imaging
57
Features
54
Overall
55
Ricoh GR front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Ricoh GR vs Sony a1 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
  • Announced April 2013
  • Successor is Ricoh GR II
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Increase to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Released January 2021
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Ricoh GR vs Sony a1 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Ricoh GR and Sony a1, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Ricoh and Sony. There exists a big gap among the sensor resolutions of the GR (16MP) and a1 (50MP) and the GR (APS-C) and a1 (Full frame) offer different sensor measurements.

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The GR was revealed 8 years earlier than the a1 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Ricoh GR being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the GR grades against the a1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh GR over the Sony a1

 GR a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Ricoh GR

 a1 GR 
ReleasedJanuary 2021April 2013Fresher by 94 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1440k1230kClearer screen (+210k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Ricoh GR and Sony a1

 GR a1 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Ricoh GR vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Ricoh GR provides physical measurements of 117mm x 61mm x 35mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs) whilst the Sony a1 has proportions of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Check out the Ricoh GR and Sony a1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the GR vs the a1.

Ricoh GR vs Sony a1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GR and a1 is 90 and 61 respectively.

Ricoh GR vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh GR vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizing simply by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the GR and a1.

Clearly, the 2 cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The GR with its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Sony a1 will render greater detail because of its extra 34 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older GR will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Ricoh GR vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Ricoh GR vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh GR vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh GR Portrait photography factors
Sony a1 Portrait photography factors
74
has manual focus
high flash sync (1/4,000 seconds)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
88
has manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/400 seconds)
MP count amazing (50 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Ricoh GR Street photography factors
Sony a1 Street photography factors
74
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lighter than competition (245g)
above average high ISO (25,600)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
79
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
features focus via touch
weather sealing
great high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh GR Sports photography details
Sony a1 Sports photography details
45
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
focal length is fixed (28mm)
slow fps (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
90
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (30.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count amazing (50MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
better than average battery (530 per charge)
supports phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh GR Travel photography advice
Sony a1 Travel photography advice
71
lighter than competition (245g)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
73
better than average battery (530 shots)
weather sealing
supports bluetooth
features focus via touch
MP count amazing (50MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Ricoh GR
Landscape photography with Sony a1
61
has manual focus
screen size is good (3")
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of image stabilization
88
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count amazing (50 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
great high ISO (32,000)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
better than average battery (530 CIPA)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh GR Vlogging details
Sony a1 Vlogging details
30
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (245g)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
missing microphone socket
36
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect autofocus
high res video (7680 x 4320 pixels)
comes with mic support
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Ricoh GR vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh GR and Sony a1
 Ricoh GRSony Alpha a1
General Information
Brand Name Ricoh Sony
Model Ricoh GR Sony Alpha a1
Type Large Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2013-04-17 2021-01-26
Physical type Large Sensor Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 50MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4928 x 3264 8640 x 5760
Max native ISO 25600 32000
Max boosted ISO - 102400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Minimum boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 759
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 28mm (1x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8 -
Total lenses - 133
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,230k dots 1,440k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,437k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.9x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 300 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s 30.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.40 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options - Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/4000 secs 1/400 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) 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 7680x4320
Video file format MPEG-4 XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 245 grams (0.54 pounds) 737 grams (1.62 pounds)
Physical dimensions 117 x 61 x 35mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.4") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 78 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 972 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 pictures 530 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model DB65 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD, SDHC, SDXC Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Card slots One Dual
Cost at launch $971 $6,498