Ricoh GR II vs Sony A1

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Ricoh GR II vs Sony A1

Leave Feedback

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.

35mm 861.6mm²
50.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 32,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A1.
Compare Sony A1 image quality against competitors.

Succeeded by the Ricoh GR III
Compare GR II vs GR III
Compare Ricoh GR III vs Sony A1

Buy From

Differences

Ricoh GR II advantages over Sony A1

Less expensive
$538 vs $4998
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 4.81 vs 4.16 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Thinner
34 mm vs 80 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/4000 vs 1/400 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Lighter weight
248g vs 737g
Lighter weight
Longer exposure
300 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 165 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony A1 advantages over Ricoh GR II

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
No vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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

530 vs 320 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
4 years vs 9 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More pixels
50.1 vs 16.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
30.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 fps vs 6.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
155 vs 10 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 25600 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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Both provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GR II User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A1 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Ricoh GR II

Ricoh GR II

All GR II Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A1

Body Only

All A1 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

We haven’t finished our review of the Sony A1, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Sony A1 Shooter's Report

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

Sony A1

Ricoh GR

$5498
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$799
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Internal flash

Compare Sony A1 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

Sony A1

Fujifilm X70

$5498
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A1 vs Fujifilm X70

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

Sony A1

Fujifilm XF10

$5498
35mm

Larger sensor
Slower slow-motion

$499
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony A1 vs Fujifilm XF10

Compared to Sony A7R IV

Ricoh GR II

Sony A7R IV

$538
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$3120
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Sony A7R IV

Sony A1

Sony A7R IV

$5498
35mm

Slower slow-motion
Longer video battery life

$3120
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

Compare Sony A1 vs Sony A7R IV

Compared to Canon R5

Ricoh GR II

Canon R5

$538
APS-C

Less expensive
NFC

$3349
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Canon R5

Sony A1

Canon R5

$5498
35mm

Slower slow-motion
NFC

$3349
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon R5

Compare Other Cameras?