Ricoh GR II vs Nikon D3500

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Ricoh GR II vs Nikon D3500

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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.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3500 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D3500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D3500.
Compare Nikon D3500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D3500 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Ricoh GR III
Compare GR II vs GR III
Compare Ricoh GR III vs Nikon D3500

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Differences

Ricoh GR II advantages over Nikon D3500

Bigger pixels
~ 4.81 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Thinner
34 mm vs 69 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/4000 vs 1/200 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Longer exposure
300 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 100 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
6.1 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Nikon D3500 advantages over Ricoh GR II

Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 1.3 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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

1550 vs 320 shots
Capture more photos
Newer
6 years vs 9 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More pixels
24.2 vs 16.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
5.1 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

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
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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

User reviews

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Read GR II User Reviews

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Adorama
Read D3500 User Reviews

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Ricoh GR II

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Buy the Nikon D3500

Kit with 18-55mm VR lens

Kit with 18-55mm VR lens
Kit with 18-55mm VR and 70-300mm lenses

All D3500 Deals

Review Excerpt

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

Great image quality for its class; Excellent high ISO performance for APS-C; Fast single-shot AF speeds; Compact, easy to use design; Incredible value at under $500 with lens.
11-point AF system feels out-dated; Underwhelming C-AF performance; Below average viewfinder coverage accuracy; No touchscreen; Limited wireless features.
Read our Nikon D3500 Review

The Competition

Compared to 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

Nikon D3500

Ricoh GR

$623
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

$799
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Integrated ND filter

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Ricoh GR

Compared to Fujifilm X70

Ricoh GR II

Fujifilm X70

$538
APS-C

Less expensive
NFC

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Fujifilm X70

Nikon D3500

Fujifilm X70

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Fujifilm X70

Compared to Canon SL2

Ricoh GR II

Canon SL2

$538
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Canon SL2

Nikon D3500

Canon SL2

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon SL2

Compared to 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

Nikon D3500

Fujifilm XF10

$623
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Longer video battery life

$499
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Fujifilm XF10

Compared to Canon SL3

Ricoh GR II

Canon SL3

$538
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$624
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Canon SL3

Nikon D3500

Canon SL3

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$624
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon SL3

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