• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony A77 II advantages over Ricoh GR II

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 1.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 480 vs 320 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.09 vs 0.29 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 16.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.5 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.0 fps vs 6.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    28 vs 10 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Ricoh GR II advantages over Sony A77 II

  • Less expensive
    $538* vs $1798
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • 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 26 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality, especially lower ISOs; Improved high ISO performance when using RAW; Very good dynamic range; High-resolution images; Very fast single-shot autofocus; 12fps burst mode with C-AF; Good value for its class.

  • Lackluster continuous AF performance; Strong NR processing in high ISO JPEGs; Sluggish buffer clearing; Short battery life compared to most DSLRs; Joystick control easy to press accidentally.

  • 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

The Competition

Compared to Ricoh GR

Sony A77 II
Ricoh GR
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Integrated ND filter
Ricoh GR II
Ricoh GR
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $799
  • APS-C

Compared to Canon 70D

Sony A77 II
Canon 70D
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Ricoh GR II
Canon 70D
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Sony A77 II
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Ricoh GR II
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1597
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon D7200

Sony A77 II
Nikon D7200
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Ricoh GR II
Nikon D7200
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup

Compared to Fujifilm XF10

Sony A77 II
Fujifilm XF10
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
Ricoh GR II
Fujifilm XF10
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • NFC
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
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