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Olympus E-PM1 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV

Portability
89
Imaging
47
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Ricoh GR Digital IV front
Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
47
Overall
39

Olympus E-PM1 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV Key Specs

Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Revealed November 2011
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PM2
Ricoh GR Digital IV
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28mm (F1.9) lens
  • 190g - 109 x 59 x 33mm
  • Revealed September 2011
  • Replaced the Ricoh GR Digital III
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PM1 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV Overview

Following is a extended comparison of the Olympus E-PM1 and Ricoh GR Digital IV, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Ricoh. The resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the GR Digital IV (10MP) is very close but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and GR Digital IV (1/1.7") provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PM1 was brought out 3 months after the GR Digital IV and they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Ricoh GR Digital IV being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a complete comparison, here is a short summation of how the E-PM1 matches up vs the GR Digital IV in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Ricoh GR Digital IV

 E-PM1 GR Digital IV 

Reasons to pick Ricoh GR Digital IV over the Olympus E-PM1

 GR Digital IV E-PM1 
Display resolution1230k460kSharper display (+770k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Ricoh GR Digital IV

 E-PM1 GR Digital IV 
RevealedNovember 2011September 2011Same age
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PM1 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera often, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PM1 features physical measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Ricoh GR Digital IV has sizing of 109mm x 59mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PM1 and Ricoh GR Digital IV in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the E-PM1 versus the GR Digital IV.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM1 and GR Digital IV is 89 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to see the contrast in sensor sizes simply by viewing specs. The picture below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM1 and GR Digital IV.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-PM1 featuring a larger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field easier and the Olympus E-PM1 will render extra detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos more aggressively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography details
Ricoh GR Digital IV Portrait photography details
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
40
you can focus manually
delivers RAW files
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PM1
Street photography with Ricoh GR Digital IV
75
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
64
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Sports photography camera
Ricoh GR Digital IV as a Sports photography camera
48
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have phase detect AF
33
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
better than average battery life (390 per charge)
can't change focal length (28mm)
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography factors
Ricoh GR Digital IV Travel photography factors
45
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
67
better than average battery life (390 per charge)
has built in flash
fast maximum aperture (f1.9)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PM1
Landscape photography with Ricoh GR Digital IV
65
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
52
you can focus manually
fast maximum aperture (f1.9)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (390 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (28mm)
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging details
Ricoh GR Digital IV Vlogging details
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have selfie friendly display
doesn't have external mic port
29
fast maximum aperture (f1.9)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Ricoh GR Digital IV
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Ricoh GR Digital IV
General Information
Brand Olympus Ricoh
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Ricoh GR Digital IV
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-11-23 2011-09-15
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 35 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28mm (1x)
Maximum aperture - f/1.9
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 4.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dots 1,230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 1 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Manual
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265 grams (0.58 lbs) 190 grams (0.42 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 109 x 59 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 390 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 DB65
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $499 $599