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 7 IV
33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.
$2,499
Released Oct 2021
Alpha 7 IV is 6.3 years newer.
Wins
GR II
Wins
Alpha 7 IV
2 categories tied
Check current prices
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TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher IBIS effectiveness (5.5 stops vs 0 stops)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher RAW buffer depth (828 frames vs 10 frames)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
- AGR II has lower Weight (251 g vs 658 g)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Burst (mechanical) (10 fps vs 4 fps)
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 7 IV
131 × 96 × 80 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
GR II is 14mm narrower, 34mm shorter, and 45mm thinner than Alpha 7 IV.
GR II is 407 g lighter than Alpha 7 IV.
Depth (front-to-back): 35mm GR II · 80mm Alpha 7 IV
Sensor size, to scale
GR II
23.7 × 15.7 mm · APS-C
372 mm² area
Alpha 7 IV
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 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 7 IV
✓ 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 658 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7 IV
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…
IBIS effectiveness
5.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 131.3, 96.4, 79.8
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A, SD UHS-II
RAW buffer depth
828 frames vs 10 frames — higher is better
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better
Burst (mechanical)
10 fps vs 4 fps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 60 fps
- ✓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 7 IV
Pros
- ✓33MP — more detail for cropping and print
- ✓10-bit 4K 60p (Super35 crop) / 4K 30p full-frame
- ✓Full-size HDMI port
- ✓759 phase-detect AF points
Cons
- –4K 60p requires Super35 crop
- –10fps burst lags behind R6 II at 40fps
- –Complex menu system
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, GR II or Alpha 7 IV?
Alpha 7 IV scores 8.0/10 versus 0.0/10 for GR II — Bird AF subject recognition.
What's the resolution difference between the GR II and Alpha 7 IV?
GR II is 16.2 MP and Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP, so the Alpha 7 IV captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the GR II and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?
GR II does not have IBIS, while alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the GR II or the Alpha 7 IV?
GR II reaches 4 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the GR II and Alpha 7 IV?
GR II weighs 251 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the GR II is 407 g lighter.
Do the GR II and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?
GR II: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.
Are the GR II and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?
GR II: No. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 320 shots (CIPA) for the GR II and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the Alpha 7 IV the edge.
How much does each cost?
GR II launched at $799 and Alpha 7 IV at $2,499. The GR II is $1,700 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Ricoh and Sony press materials.