Clicky

Ricoh GR vs Sony W690

Portability
90
Imaging
57
Features
54
Overall
55
Ricoh GR front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Ricoh GR vs Sony W690 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
  • Introduced April 2013
  • Successor is Ricoh GR II
Sony W690
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 56 x 22mm
  • Revealed February 2012
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Ricoh GR vs Sony W690 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Ricoh GR and Sony W690, former being a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Ricoh and Sony. The image resolution of the GR (16MP) and the W690 (16MP) is relatively close but the GR (APS-C) and W690 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor measurements.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The GR was released 14 months later than the W690 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both cameras have different body design with the Ricoh GR being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony W690 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a full comparison, here is a brief summary of how the GR matches up versus the W690 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
	
	

Reasons to pick Ricoh GR over the Sony W690

 GR W690 
RevealedApril 2013February 2012Fresher by 14 months
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen resolution1230k230kSharper screen (+1000k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W690 over the Ricoh GR

 W690 GR 

Common features in the Ricoh GR and Sony W690

 GR W690 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Ricoh GR vs Sony W690 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera, you're going to have to take into account its weight and volume. The Ricoh GR enjoys outer dimensions of 117mm x 61mm x 35mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs) and the Sony W690 has sizing of 94mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Analyze the Ricoh GR and Sony W690 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the GR compared to the W690.

Ricoh GR vs Sony W690 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GR and W690 is 90 and 95 respectively.

Ricoh GR vs Sony W690 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh GR vs Sony W690 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing only by researching specifications. The photograph below will give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the GR and W690.

Plainly, each of these cameras have the same megapixel count albeit not the same sensor sizing. The GR contains the bigger sensor which is going to make obtaining bokeh easier. The younger GR will have an edge in sensor tech.

Ricoh GR vs Sony W690 sensor size comparison

Ricoh GR vs Sony W690 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh GR vs Sony W690 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh GR Portrait photography highlights
Sony W690 Portrait photography highlights
74
has manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/4,000s)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
34
good MP (16MP)
supports face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Ricoh GR Street photography highlights
Sony W690 Street photography highlights
74
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than average (245g)
great ISO range (25,600)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Ricoh GR Sports photography info
Sony W690 Sports photography info
45
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
can't change focal length (28mm)
max frames per second low (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
has no phase detect autofocus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
supports tracking focus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Ricoh GR Travel photography advice
Sony W690 Travel photography advice
71
lighter than average (245 grams)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
68
good MP (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Ricoh GR Landscape photography information
Sony W690 Landscape photography information
61
has manual focus
nice screen size (3 inches)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (28mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
no image stabilization
43
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
no manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh GR Vlogging details
Sony W690 Vlogging details
30
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (245 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
no mic support
31
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic support
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Ricoh GR vs Sony W690 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh GR and Sony W690
 Ricoh GRSony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
General Information
Manufacturer Ricoh Sony
Model Ricoh GR Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
Class Large Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-04-17 2012-02-28
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4928 x 3264 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28mm (1x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT LCD ClearPhoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 300 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.40 m (at ISO 100) 3.30 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/4000 seconds -
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 format MPEG-4 MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 245g (0.54 pounds) 142g (0.31 pounds)
Physical dimensions 117 x 61 x 35mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.4") 94 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 220 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model DB65 NP-BN
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD, SDHC, SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $971 $297