Sony NEX-5R vs Ricoh GR II

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony NEX-5R vs Ricoh GR II

Leave Feedback

APS-C 366.6mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony NEX-5R Review.

APS-C 369.7mm²
16.2 megapixels
28.00mm (35mm eq.)

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

Succeeded by the Sony NEX-5T
Compare NEX-5R vs NEX-5T

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

Compare SONY NEX-5T vs RICOH GR III

Buy From

Differences

Sony NEX-5R advantages over Ricoh GR II

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Ricoh GR II advantages over Sony NEX-5R

Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
GR II test data on DxO Mark NEX-5R test data on DxO Mark

1,078 vs 910 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Higher max flash sync
1/4000 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
More dots on screen
1229k vs 922k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
300 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots

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
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

Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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 NEX-5R User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GR II User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony NEX-5R

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All NEX-5R Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Ricoh GR II

Ricoh GR II

All GR II Deals

Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Sony NEX-5R.
Read our Sony NEX-5R Preview

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
Read our Ricoh GR II Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-C3

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$559
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony NEX-5R vs Sony NEX-C3

Ricoh GR II

Sony NEX-C3

$538
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
More dynamic range

$559
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Sony NEX-C3

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-5N

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$700
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

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

Ricoh GR II

Sony NEX-5N

$538
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Wi-Fi

$700
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-5R

Canon EOS M

$499
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
External Mic Jack

Compare Sony NEX-5R vs Canon EOS M

Ricoh GR II

Canon EOS M

$538
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$600
APS-C

Touchscreen
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Canon EOS M

Compared to Ricoh GR

Sony NEX-5R

Ricoh GR

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$799
APS-C

Internal flash
Integrated ND filter

Compare Sony NEX-5R vs Ricoh GR

Ricoh GR II

Ricoh GR

$538
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
NFC

$799
APS-C

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Ricoh GR

Compared to Fujifilm XF10

Sony NEX-5R

Fujifilm XF10

$499
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Tiltable Screen

$499
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Sony NEX-5R vs Fujifilm XF10

Ricoh GR II

Fujifilm XF10

$538
APS-C

Bigger pixels
NFC

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Fujifilm XF10

Compare Other Cameras?