Sony A9 III has a
24.6MP Full frame (35.6 x 23.8 mm ) sized Global Shutter sensor and features BIONZ XR processor. On the other hand, Ricoh GXR A12 50mm has a
12.0MP APS-C (23.6 x 15.7 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features GR engine III processor.
Sony A9 III's sensor provides 12.6MP more than Ricoh GXR A12 50mm's sensor, which gives a significant advantage in real life. You can print your images larger or crop more freely.
On the other hand, please keep in mind that Max sensor resolution is not the only determinant of resolving power. Factors such as the optical elements, low pass filter, pixel size and sensor technology also affects the final resolution of the captured image.
Another difference between these two cameras is that Sony A9 III's sensor lacks anti-alias (Low-Pass) filter. Removing anti-alias filter increases the sharpness and level of detail but at the same time, it increases the chance of moiré occurring in certain scenes.
Below you can see the A9 Mark III and GXR A12 50mm F2.5 Macro sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Sony A9 III and Ricoh GXR A12 50mm Cameras
As seen above, Sony A9 III has a 2.3x Larger sensor area than Ricoh GXR A12 50mm. Larger sensors give photographer more control on the depth of field and blurry background compared to smaller sensor when shot in same focal length and aperture.
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Sony A9 III
or the
Ricoh GXR A12 50mm ,
including hyperfocal distance.
One thing to watch when comparing these two: they have different sensor sizes
(Full frame versus APS-C),
so compare them at the same framing rather than the same focal length.
Put the same focal length on the smaller sensor and it will show less depth of
field, not more, because it also crops tighter. The calculator shows the
full frame equivalent focal length for each body so you can match the framing.
