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Ricoh GR vs Sony A57

Portability
90
Imaging
57
Features
54
Overall
55
Ricoh GR front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Ricoh GR vs Sony A57 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
  • Updated by Ricoh GR II
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Introduced September 2012
  • Older Model is Sony A55
  • Replacement is Sony A58
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Ricoh GR vs Sony A57 Overview

In this article, we will be looking at the Ricoh GR versus Sony A57, former being a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Ricoh and Sony. The image resolution of the GR (16MP) and the A57 (16MP) is pretty close and they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The GR was introduced 8 months later than the A57 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Ricoh GR being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving through a more detailed comparison, below is a short introduction of how the GR matches up against the A57 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh GR over the Sony A57

 GR A57 
IntroducedApril 2013September 2012Fresher by 8 months
Screen resolution1230k921kCrisper screen (+309k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Ricoh GR

 A57 GR 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Ricoh GR and Sony A57

 GR A57 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Ricoh GR vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Ricoh GR comes with physical dimensions of 117mm x 61mm x 35mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs) and the Sony A57 has specifications of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") and a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Contrast the Ricoh GR versus Sony A57 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at the time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the GR and the A57.

Ricoh GR vs Sony A57 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GR and A57 is 90 and 64 respectively.

Ricoh GR vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh GR vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to see the gap in sensor sizing merely by researching specifications. The visual here may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the GR and A57.

To sum up, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same megapixels therefore you can expect comparable quality of photographs but you might want to take the age of the cameras into account. The more recent GR will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Ricoh GR vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Ricoh GR vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh GR vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh GR Portrait photography information
Sony A57 Portrait photography information
74
has manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/4,000 seconds)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
74
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Ricoh GR Street photography info
Sony A57 Street photography info
74
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than average (245g)
above average high ISO (25,600)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
75
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh GR as a Sports photography camera
Sony A57 as a Sports photography camera
45
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
can't change focal length (28mm)
max fps low (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
no phase detect AF
78
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
comes with phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh GR Travel photography info
Sony A57 Travel photography info
71
lighter than average (245g)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
67
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
no Timelapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Ricoh GR
Landscape photography with Sony A57
61
has manual focus
screen is a good size (3")
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no image stabilization
72
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Ricoh GR
Vlogging with Sony A57
30
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (245 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
no external mic socket
77
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have microphone socket
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Ricoh GR vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh GR and Sony A57
 Ricoh GRSony SLT-A57
General Information
Brand Ricoh Sony
Model Ricoh GR Sony SLT-A57
Type Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2013-04-17 2012-09-13
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4928 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 25600 16000
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28mm (1x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8 -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT LCD Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 300s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.40 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/4000s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 245 gr (0.54 lb) 618 gr (1.36 lb)
Dimensions 117 x 61 x 35mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.4") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 78 75
DXO Color Depth score 23.6 23.4
DXO Dynamic range score 13.5 13.0
DXO Low light score 972 785
Other
Battery life 290 photos 550 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model DB65 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD, SDHC, SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $971 $1,000