Olympus E-30 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Olympus E-30 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Ricoh. The image resolution of the E-30 (12MP) and the GR Digital IV (10MP) is relatively well matched but the E-30 (Four Thirds) and GR Digital IV (1/1.7") use different sensor sizes.

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The E-30 was brought out 3 years before the GR Digital IV and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Ricoh GR Digital IV being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a detailed comparison, below is a quick summation of how the E-30 matches up vs the GR Digital IV with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus E-30 and Ricoh GR Digital IV. The entire galleries are viewable at Olympus E-30 Gallery and Ricoh GR Digital IV Gallery.

If you're aiming to carry your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-30 offers physical measurements of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") having a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs) and the Ricoh GR Digital IV has sizing of 109mm x 59mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs).

See the Olympus E-30 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select at that time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the E-30 compared to the GR Digital IV.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the E-30 and GR Digital IV is 60 and 92 respectively.

Oftentimes, it is hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing merely by checking a spec sheet. The visual underneath will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-30 and GR Digital IV.

Clearly, both of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-30 because of its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Olympus E-30 will give extra detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The older E-30 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.