Ricoh GR vs Sony TX66

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Ricoh GR and Sony TX66, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the latter is a Ultracompact by competitors Ricoh and Sony. The resolution of the GR (16MP) and the TX66 (18MP) is pretty similar but the GR (APS-C) and TX66 (1/2.3") use different sensor dimensions.

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The GR was unveiled 14 months later than the TX66 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. The two cameras offer different body type with the Ricoh GR being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony TX66 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the GR grades against the TX66 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Ricoh GR and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX66. The full galleries are viewable at Ricoh GR Gallery and Sony TX66 Gallery.

For those who are going to lug around your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Ricoh GR has got physical dimensions of 117mm x 61mm x 35mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs) and the Sony TX66 has measurements of 93mm x 54mm x 13mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.5") along with a weight of 109 grams (0.24 lbs).

Look at the Ricoh GR and Sony TX66 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the GR and the TX66.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GR and TX66 is 90 and 97 respectively.

Normally, it can be hard to imagine the gap between sensor measurements simply by going over technical specs. The photograph below should offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the GR and TX66.

As you have seen, both of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The GR having a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony TX66 will offer you more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The fresher GR should have an advantage in sensor tech.