Sony RX100 vs Ricoh GR II

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony RX100 vs Ricoh GR II

Leave Feedback

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
28.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX100 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX100 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX100.
Compare Sony RX100 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX100 conclusion.

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 RX100 II
Compare RX100 vs RX100 II

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

Compare SONY RX100 II vs RICOH GR III

Buy From

Differences

Sony RX100 advantages over Ricoh GR II

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
Larger lens aperture
f/1.8 vs f/2.8
Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
More telephoto lens reach
100 mm vs 28 mm
Capture objects farther away
Less shutter lag
0.15 vs 0.29 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.2 vs 16.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
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)
Faster RAW shooting
10.0 fps vs 6.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Ricoh GR II advantages over Sony RX100

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.81 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~1.30 vs 2.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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 RX100 test data on DxO Mark

1,078 vs 390 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
GR II test data on DxO Mark RX100 test data on DxO Mark

13.7 vs 12.4 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Higher max flash sync
1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
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 13 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
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
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony RX100

Sony RX100

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Ricoh GR II

Ricoh GR II

All GR II Deals

Review Excerpt

Excellent high-ISO performance for such a compact model; Smart controls; Small body; Bright lens; 10fps full-res burst mode; Very fast shutter response; Excellent LCD.
Lens flare at night; Poor rendering of yellows; Slow flash recycling; Soft corners wide open; Continuous AF mode slow to lock.
Read our Sony RX100 Review

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 RX100 II

Sony RX100

Sony RX100 II

$1074
1 inch

Faster RAW shooting

$598
1 inch

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony RX100 vs Sony RX100 II

Ricoh GR II

Sony RX100 II

$538
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$598
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Sony RX100 II

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100

Sony RX100 III

$1074
1 inch

More telephoto lens reach
Faster RAW shooting

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony RX100 vs Sony RX100 III

Ricoh GR II

Sony RX100 III

$538
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$748
1 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Ricoh GR

Sony RX100

Ricoh GR

$1074
1 inch

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$799
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 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 Canon G7X

Sony RX100

Canon G7X

$1074
1 inch

In-camera panoramas
Longer stills battery life

$1239
1 inch

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony RX100 vs Canon G7X

Ricoh GR II

Canon G7X

$538
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1239
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Canon G7X

Compared to Fujifilm XF10

Sony RX100

Fujifilm XF10

$1074
1 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Larger lens aperture

$499
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 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?