• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A500 advantages over Ricoh GR III

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.55 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 0.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1000 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.9 fps vs 4.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Ricoh GR III advantages over Sony DSLR-A500

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    6 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • 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 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 12800 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
  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K20D

Sony DSLR-A500
Pentax K20D
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Top deck display

Compare Sony DSLR-A500 vs Pentax K20D

Ricoh GR III
Pentax K20D
  • $984
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Pentax K20D

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Sony DSLR-A500
Sony DSLR-A380
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Sony DSLR-A500 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Ricoh GR III
Sony DSLR-A380
  • $984
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Sony DSLR-A500
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • More dots on screen
  • More pixels

Compare Sony DSLR-A500 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Ricoh GR III
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $984
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Sony DSLR-A550

Compared to Sony DSLR-A560

Sony DSLR-A500
Sony DSLR-A560
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Less shutter lag
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Sony DSLR-A500 vs Sony DSLR-A560

Ricoh GR III
Sony DSLR-A560
  • $984
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Sony DSLR-A560

Compared to Sony A33

Sony DSLR-A500
Sony A33
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • External Mic Jack

Compare Sony DSLR-A500 vs Sony A33

Ricoh GR III
Sony A33
  • $984
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Sony A33

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