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Ricoh GR vs Sony A55

Portability
90
Imaging
57
Features
54
Overall
55
Ricoh GR front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Ricoh GR vs Sony A55 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
  • Revealed April 2013
  • Replacement is Ricoh GR II
Sony A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Announced August 2010
  • Successor is Sony A57
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Ricoh GR vs Sony A55 Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Ricoh GR versus Sony A55, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Ricoh and Sony. The image resolution of the GR (16MP) and the A55 (16MP) is pretty close and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The GR was revealed 2 years later than the A55 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Ricoh GR being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a in depth comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the GR matches up versus the A55 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh GR over the Sony A55

 GR A55 
AnnouncedApril 2013August 2010More recent by 33 months
Screen resolution1230k921kClearer screen (+309k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Ricoh GR

 A55 GR 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Ricoh GR and Sony A55

 GR A55 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Ricoh GR vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and volume. The Ricoh GR has got outer measurements of 117mm x 61mm x 35mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs) whilst the Sony A55 has sizing of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Take a look at the Ricoh GR versus Sony A55 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the GR vs the A55.

Ricoh GR vs Sony A55 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GR and A55 is 90 and 67 respectively.

Ricoh GR vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh GR vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to visualize the gap in sensor measurements simply by looking through a spec sheet. The visual underneath should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the GR and A55.

Clearly, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the identical MP and you should expect comparable quality of images although you will need to factor the production date of the cameras into account. The newer GR should have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Ricoh GR vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Ricoh GR vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh GR vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh GR Portrait photography advice
Sony A55 Portrait photography advice
74
focusing manually
high flash sync (1/4,000 seconds)
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
73
manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Ricoh GR Street photography info
Sony A55 Street photography info
74
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competitors (245 grams)
above average ISO range (25,600)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
77
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh GR Sports photography highlights
Sony A55 Sports photography highlights
45
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
can't change focal length (28mm)
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
not so great battery pack (380 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Ricoh GR
Travel photography with Sony A55
71
lighter than competitors (245 grams)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
62
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
does not have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery pack (380 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh GR Landscape photography advice
Sony A55 Landscape photography advice
61
focusing manually
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
no image stabilization
67
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
not so great battery pack (380 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Ricoh GR
Vlogging with Sony A55
30
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (245g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
lack of microphone socket
78
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external mic jack
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Ricoh GR vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh GR and Sony A55
 Ricoh GRSony SLT-A55
General Information
Manufacturer Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh GR Sony SLT-A55
Category Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2013-04-17 2010-08-24
Body design Large Sensor Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4928 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28mm (1x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8 -
Amount of lenses - 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed 300 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.40 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/4000 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 245 grams (0.54 lbs) 500 grams (1.10 lbs)
Dimensions 117 x 61 x 35mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.4") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 78 73
DXO Color Depth rating 23.6 23.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.5 12.4
DXO Low light rating 972 816
Other
Battery life 290 pictures 380 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DB65 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $971 $800