Canon T3i vs Ricoh GR II

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Canon T3i vs Ricoh GR II

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APS-C 332.3mm²
18.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Canon T3i Review.
See real-world photos taken with the T3i.

APS-C 369.7mm²
16.2 megapixels
28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Ricoh GR II Review.
How does it shoot? Ricoh GR II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GR II.
Compare Ricoh GR II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Ricoh GR II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon T4i
Compare T3i vs T4i

Succeeded by the Ricoh GR III
Compare GR II vs GR III

Compare CANON T4I vs RICOH GR III

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Differences

Canon T3i advantages over Ricoh GR II

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

440 vs 320 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Ricoh GR II advantages over Canon T3i

Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
GR II test data on DxO Mark T3i test data on DxO Mark

1,078 vs 793 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
GR II test data on DxO Mark T3i test data on DxO Mark

13.7 vs 11.5 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Thinner
34 mm vs 79 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/4000 vs 1/200 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
9 years vs 14 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
300 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 9 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
6.1 fps vs 3.6 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
10 vs 5 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Ricoh GR II

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Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality; Good grip; Full HD video recording; Swiveling LCD; Very fast autofocus; HDMI output.
Slow frame rate for sports shooting; Tendency to overexpose in bright sunlight; Live View AF is slow; No microfocus adjustment.
Read our Canon T3i Full Review

Shooting with a wide prime helps you see new shots; Good performance and fast autofocus; Excellent sharp, bright lens; Very customizable; In-camera Wi-Fi works with more than just Android and iOS; Supports Pentax wireless flash strobes
Fixed, wide prime lens isn't for everyone; Cramped controls; Burst capture is slower for JPEGs; Tends too warm under incandescent lighting; Wi-Fi app is poor, and web browser control has cluttered interface
Read our Ricoh GR II Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7000

Canon T3i

Nikon D7000

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Canon T3i vs Nikon D7000

Ricoh GR II

Nikon D7000

$538
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
NFC

$699
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Nikon D7000

Compared to Pentax K-5

Canon T3i

Pentax K-5

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T3i vs Pentax K-5

Ricoh GR II

Pentax K-5

$538
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

$800
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Pentax K-5

Compared to Canon T4i

Canon T3i

Canon T4i

$549
APS-C

$579
APS-C

Touchscreen
Fast startup

Compare Canon T3i vs Canon T4i

Ricoh GR II

Canon T4i

$538
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$579
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Canon T4i

Compared to Ricoh GR

Canon T3i

Ricoh GR

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$799
APS-C

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon T3i vs Ricoh GR

Ricoh GR II

Ricoh GR

$538
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
NFC

$799
APS-C

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Ricoh GR

Compared to Fujifilm XF10

Canon T3i

Fujifilm XF10

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon T3i vs Fujifilm XF10

Ricoh GR II

Fujifilm XF10

$538
APS-C

Bigger pixels
NFC

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Fujifilm XF10

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