Canon A490 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV

On this page, we will be looking at the Canon A490 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Canon and Ricoh. The resolution of the A490 (10MP) and the GR Digital IV (10MP) is pretty well matched but the A490 (1/2.3") and GR Digital IV (1/1.7") offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The A490 was brought out 20 months earlier than the GR Digital IV which makes them a generation away from one another. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a concise summation of how the A490 scores against the GR Digital IV with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Here is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot A490 & Ricoh GR Digital IV. The entire galleries are provided at Canon A490 Gallery & Ricoh GR Digital IV Gallery.

If you're going to travel with your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon A490 offers outside measurements of 94mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Ricoh GR Digital IV has proportions of 109mm x 59mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs).

Check the Canon A490 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the A490 against the GR Digital IV.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A490 and GR Digital IV is 93 and 92 respectively.

Quite often, it's hard to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by checking specs. The picture below should give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the A490 and GR Digital IV.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras provide the same megapixels albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The A490 offers the tinier sensor which should make achieving shallower DOF trickier. The more aged A490 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.