Sony A7 II vs Ricoh GR III

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Sony A7 II vs Ricoh GR III

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35mm 855.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A7 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7 II.
Compare Sony A7 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7 II conclusion.

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.

Succeeded by the Sony A7 III
Compare A7 II vs A7 III
Compare Sony A7 III vs Ricoh GR III

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Differences

Sony A7 II 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
Bigger pixels
~ 5.97 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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

350 vs 200 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
5.0 fps vs 4.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
5.0 fps vs 4.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
28 vs 9 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Ricoh GR III advantages over Sony A7 II

Less expensive
$897* vs $1598
Save money for lenses or accessories
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Fast startup
~0.70 vs 1.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Thinner
33 mm vs 59 mm
Thinner
Newer
6 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Longer exposure
1200 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 52 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 51200 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
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7 II User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GR III User Reviews

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Body Only
Kit with 28-70mm Lens

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Buy the Ricoh GR III

Ricoh GR III

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Review Excerpt

Excellent 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization; Sensor-shift IS brings stabilization to nearly any lens; Much-improved ergonomics and top-deck control layout; 'Mark II' maintains same impressive image quality, dynamic range and high ISO performance; XAVC S 50Mbps video format; Faster start-up time; Hybrid AF performs well with good continuous AF.
(Similar to A7): Loud shutter (but electronic first-curtain helps); Battery life could be better; Low-light AF still not as good as most DSLRs; High ISO JPEGs look over-processed; Slow buffer clearing; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses (but it's getting better).
Read our Sony A7 II Review

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

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7

Sony A7 II

Sony A7

$1077
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization

$748
35mm

Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7

Ricoh GR III

Sony A7

$984
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Touchscreen

$748
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Sony A7

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A7 II

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$1077
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3802
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Ricoh GR III

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$984
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3802
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Compared to Sony A9

Sony A7 II

Sony A9

$1077
35mm

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$2997
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A9

Ricoh GR III

Sony A9

$984
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$2997
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Sony A9

Compared to Sony A7 III

Sony A7 II

Sony A7 III

$1077
35mm

In-camera panoramas

$1531
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7 III

Ricoh GR III

Sony A7 III

$984
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$1531
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Sony A7 III

Compared to Nikon Z6

Sony A7 II

Nikon Z6

$1077
35mm

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$1396
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Nikon Z6

Ricoh GR III

Nikon Z6

$984
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$1396
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Nikon Z6

Compare Other Cameras?