Ricoh GR III vs Sony A1

Cameras
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Ricoh GR III vs Sony A1

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APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Ricoh GR III Review.
How does it shoot? Ricoh GR III in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GR III.

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.

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Differences

Ricoh GR III advantages over Sony A1

Less expensive
$897 vs $4998
Save money for lenses or accessories
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Thinner
33 mm vs 80 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
257g vs 737g
Lighter weight
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Longer exposure
1200 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 III

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
Shoot 4K video
No vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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 200 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
4 years vs 6 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More pixels
50.1 vs 24.2 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 4.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 fps vs 4.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
155 vs 9 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

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Both provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
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
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GR III User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A1 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

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

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 Sony A7R IV

Ricoh GR III

Sony A7R IV

$984
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$3120
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Ricoh GR III 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 Leica SL2

Ricoh GR III

Leica SL2

$984
APS-C

Less expensive
On-sensor phase detect

$5245
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Leica SL2

Sony A1

Leica SL2

$5498
35mm

Slower slow-motion
Tiltable Screen

$5245
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

Compare Sony A1 vs Leica SL2

Compared to Canon R5

Ricoh GR III

Canon R5

$984
APS-C

Less expensive
Integrated ND filter

$3349
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Ricoh GR III 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

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Ricoh GR III

Nikon Z7 II

$984
APS-C

Less expensive
Integrated ND filter

$2330
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Nikon Z7 II

Sony A1

Nikon Z7 II

$5498
35mm

Slower slow-motion
NFC

$2330
35mm

Less expensive
Top deck display

Compare Sony A1 vs Nikon Z7 II

Compared to Sony A7R V

Ricoh GR III

Sony A7R V

$984
APS-C

Integrated ND filter
Thinner

$3900
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Sony A7R V

Sony A1

Sony A7R V

$5498
35mm

Slower slow-motion
Longer video battery life

$3900
35mm

High resolution composite
Newer

Compare Sony A1 vs Sony A7R V

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