Ricoh
GR II
Classic APS-C GR with 16.2MP sensor, 28mm equivalent lens, built-in flash, Wi-Fi, and snap-focus street ergonomics.
$799
Released Jun 2015
Sony
Alpha 1 II
50MP stacked flagship with 30fps RAW, 8K video, and Sony's fastest hybrid performance.
$6,499
Released Nov 2024
Alpha 1 II is 9.4 years newer.
Wins
GR II
Wins
Alpha 1 II
2 categories tied
Check current prices
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TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 1 II has higher IBIS effectiveness (8.5 stops vs 0 stops)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher RAW buffer depth (200 frames vs 10 frames)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 4 fps)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher Resolution (50.1 MP vs 16.2 MP)
- AGR II has lower Weight (251 g vs 743 g)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
GR II
117 × 63 × 35 mm
251 g (0.55 lb / 8.85 oz)
Alpha 1 II
136 × 97 × 83 mm
743 g (1.64 lb / 26.21 oz)
GR II is 19mm narrower, 34mm shorter, and 48mm thinner than Alpha 1 II.
GR II is 492 g lighter than Alpha 1 II.
Depth (front-to-back): 35mm GR II · 83mm Alpha 1 II
Sensor size, to scale
GR II
23.7 × 15.7 mm · APS-C
372 mm² area
Alpha 1 II
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
2.3× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
GR II: mount data unavailable
Alpha 1 II
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
GR II
Subject recognition
Adds Face
Codecs
Adds MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 117, 62.8, 34.7
Card types
Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC UHS-I
Weight
251 g vs 743 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 1 II
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…
IBIS effectiveness
8.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 136.1, 96.9, 82.9
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A, SD UHS-II
RAW buffer depth
200 frames vs 10 frames — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 4 fps — higher is better
Resolution
50.1 MP vs 16.2 MP — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Max video bit rate — Both 150 Mbps
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
GR II
Pros
- ✓APS-C sensor
- ✓28mm GR lens
- ✓Built-in flash
- ✓Great used value
Cons
- –Older 16MP sensor
- –No IBIS
- –Fixed lens
Alpha 1 II
Pros
- ✓50MP stacked sensor
- ✓30fps blackout-free burst
- ✓8K 30p video
- ✓Best Sony AF
Cons
- –Very expensive
- –Complex menus
- –Large files
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, GR II or Alpha 1 II?
Alpha 1 II scores 9.5/10 versus 0.0/10 for GR II — 30fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the GR II and Alpha 1 II?
GR II is 16.2 MP and Alpha 1 II is 50.1 MP, so the Alpha 1 II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the GR II and Alpha 1 II have in-body image stabilization?
GR II does not have IBIS, while alpha 1 II has 8.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the GR II or the Alpha 1 II?
GR II reaches 4 fps electronic. Alpha 1 II reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the GR II and Alpha 1 II?
GR II weighs 251 g and Alpha 1 II weighs 743 g, so the GR II is 492 g lighter.
Do the GR II and Alpha 1 II record 4K video?
GR II: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 1 II: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the GR II and Alpha 1 II weather sealed?
GR II: No. Alpha 1 II: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 320 shots (CIPA) for the GR II and 520 shots for the Alpha 1 II, giving the Alpha 1 II the edge.
How much does each cost?
GR II launched at $799 and Alpha 1 II at $6,499. The GR II is $5,700 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Ricoh and Sony press materials.