Sony DSLR-A550 vs Ricoh GR III

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Sony DSLR-A550 vs Ricoh GR III

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APS-C 369.7mm²
14.2 megapixels
ISO 200 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Sony DSLR-A550 Review.

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.

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A550 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
~ 5.16 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

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

950 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
6.7 fps vs 4.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Ricoh GR III advantages over Sony DSLR-A550

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
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
24.2 vs 14.2 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 15 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

Amazon
Adorama
Read GR III User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Sony DSLR-A550.
Read our Sony DSLR-A550 Initial Test

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 Canon 50D

Sony DSLR-A550

Canon 50D

$859
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1000
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Canon 50D

Ricoh GR III

Canon 50D

$971
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Touchscreen

$1000
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Bigger pixels

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Canon 50D

Compared to Nikon D300S

Sony DSLR-A550

Nikon D300S

$859
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

$1697
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Nikon D300S

Ricoh GR III

Nikon D300S

$971
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1697
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Bigger pixels

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Nikon D300S

Compared to Sony DSLR-A500

Sony DSLR-A550

Sony DSLR-A500

$859
APS-C

More dots on screen
More pixels

$850
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Sony DSLR-A500

Ricoh GR III

Sony DSLR-A500

$971
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$850
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Bigger pixels

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Sony DSLR-A500

Compared to Sony DSLR-A560

Sony DSLR-A550

Sony DSLR-A560

$859
APS-C

Fast startup
Less shutter lag

$750
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Sony DSLR-A560

Ricoh GR III

Sony DSLR-A560

$971
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 Pentax K-5

Sony DSLR-A550

Pentax K-5

$859
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Longer stills battery life

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Pentax K-5

Ricoh GR III

Pentax K-5

$971
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$800
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Bigger pixels

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Pentax K-5

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