• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

Buy From

Differences

Ricoh GXR advantages over Sony A58

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.53 vs 4.31 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Longer exposure
    180 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    15 vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony A58 advantages over Ricoh GXR

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $1380 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 vs 320 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.9 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    16000 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • 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

Review Excerpt

  • Improved 20.1-megapixel resolution; Impressive image quality, especially for its price; Fast and decisive autofocus (in most conditions); Very good battery life; Good video quality (Full HD 1080p, though it doesn't support 60p frame rate).

  • Plastic lens mount; Slower burst mode speeds and shallower buffer than A57; LCD no longer fully articulating; Mediocre kit lens; Electronic instead of an optical viewfinder may be a turnoff for some.

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K2000

Ricoh GXR
Pentax K2000
  • $1380
  • APS-C
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection
Sony A58
Pentax K2000
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Fujifilm X100

Ricoh GXR
Fujifilm X100
  • $1380
  • APS-C
  • More dots on screen
  • Longer exposure
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony A58
Fujifilm X100
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Sigma DP1 Merrill

Ricoh GXR
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $1380
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels
Sony A58
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher-res screen

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Ricoh GXR
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $1380
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Lighter weight
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Sony A58
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon T5i

Ricoh GXR
Canon T5i
  • $1380
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Sony A58
Canon T5i
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Compare Other Cameras?