• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony NEX-5N advantages over Ricoh GR III

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.82 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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 430 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 4.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Ricoh GR III advantages over Sony NEX-5N

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.70 vs 1.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • 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
  • Newer
    6 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • 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 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 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
  • 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony NEX-5N

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Ricoh GR III
Ricoh GR III
All GR III Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Fast autofocus and prefocused shutter lag; Quieter shutter sound; Captures 10 frames per second; Supports AVCHD 2.0.

  • Limited first-party lens selection; Slow and confusing on-screen user interface; top-mounted, proprietary accessories are quite pricey.

  • Read our Sony NEX-5N Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-3

Sony NEX-5N
Sony NEX-3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Sony NEX-3

Ricoh GR III
Sony NEX-3
  • $1221
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Sony NEX-3

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-5N
Sony NEX-C3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Sony NEX-C3

Ricoh GR III
Sony NEX-C3
  • $1221
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Sony NEX-C3

Compared to Samsung NX200

Sony NEX-5N
Samsung NX200
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Samsung NX200

Ricoh GR III
Samsung NX200
  • $1221
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Samsung NX200

Compared to Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-5N
Canon EOS M
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Canon EOS M

Ricoh GR III
Canon EOS M
  • $1221
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • External Mic Jack
  • HDMI out

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Canon EOS M

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-5N
Sony NEX-5R
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Sony NEX-5R

Ricoh GR III
Sony NEX-5R
  • $1221
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Ricoh GR III vs Sony NEX-5R

Compare Other Cameras?