• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony A57 advantages over Ricoh GR II

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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 550 vs 320 shots
    Capture more 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)

Ricoh GR II advantages over Sony A57

  • 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
    1,078 vs 785 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • 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 25 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • 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

Review Excerpt

  • 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

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D5100

Sony A57
Nikon D5100
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Ricoh GR II
Nikon D5100
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony A37

Sony A57
Sony A37
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Higher-res screen
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack
Ricoh GR II
Sony A37
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A57
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
Ricoh GR II
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Nikon Coolpix A

Sony A57
Nikon Coolpix A
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Thinner
Ricoh GR II
Nikon Coolpix A
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Bigger RAW buffer

Compared to Ricoh GR

Sony A57
Ricoh GR
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Integrated ND filter
Ricoh GR II
Ricoh GR
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $799
  • APS-C
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