Sony A58 vs Ricoh GR

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony A58 vs Ricoh GR

Leave Feedback

APS-C 366.6mm²
20.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A58 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A58 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A58.
Compare Sony A58 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A58 conclusion.

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

Go in depth with our full Ricoh GR Review.
See real-world photos taken with the GR.

Succeeded by the Sony A68
Compare A58 vs A68

Succeeded by the Ricoh GR II
Compare GR vs GR II

Compare SONY A68 vs RICOH GR II

Buy From

Differences

Sony A58 advantages over Ricoh GR

Less expensive
$600 vs $799 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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

700 vs 290 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.28 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.1 vs 16.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
4.9 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
6 vs 4 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Ricoh GR advantages over Sony A58

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 test data on DxO Mark A58 test data on DxO Mark

972 vs 753 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Thinner
34 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/4000 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Higher-res screen
307k vs 154k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
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 8 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
6.1 fps vs 4.8 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 16000 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

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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
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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A58

Kit with 18-55mm Lens

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Ricoh GR

Review Excerpt

Improved 20.1-megapixel resolution; Impressive image quality, especially for its price; Fast and decisive autofocus (in most conditions); Very good battery life; Good video quality (Full HD 1080p, though it doesn't support 60p frame rate).
Plastic lens mount; Slower burst mode speeds and shallower buffer than A57; LCD no longer fully articulating; Mediocre kit lens; Electronic instead of an optical viewfinder may be a turnoff for some.
Read our Sony A58 Review

The most compact APS-C camera on the market; Bright, sharp 28mm f/2.8 prime lens with almost no distortion; Excellent image quality; Extremely customizable; Fast autofocus; Strong built-in flash plus hot shoe.
Fixed prime lens is not for everybody; Crowded and small controls; Burst performance is limited; Muted colors and cool white balance; Has issues with moire and false color.
Read our Ricoh GR Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A58

Pentax K-5 IIs

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A58 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Ricoh GR

Pentax K-5 IIs

$799
APS-C

Less expensive
Integrated ND filter

$497
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Ricoh GR vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Nikon D5200

Sony A58

Nikon D5200

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$500
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A58 vs Nikon D5200

Ricoh GR

Nikon D5200

$799
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Integrated ND filter

$500
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh GR vs Nikon D5200

Compared to Nikon Coolpix A

Sony A58

Nikon Coolpix A

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$1097
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
More dynamic range

Compare Sony A58 vs Nikon Coolpix A

Ricoh GR

Nikon Coolpix A

$799
APS-C

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

$1097
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Bigger RAW buffer

Compare Ricoh GR vs Nikon Coolpix A

Compared to Canon T5i

Sony A58

Canon T5i

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$539
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A58 vs Canon T5i

Ricoh GR

Canon T5i

$799
APS-C

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

$539
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh GR vs Canon T5i

Compared to Ricoh GR II

Sony A58

Ricoh GR II

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$538
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony A58 vs Ricoh GR II

Ricoh GR

Ricoh GR II

$799
APS-C

$538
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
NFC

Compare Ricoh GR vs Ricoh GR II

Compare Other Cameras?