Panasonic FS12 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Panasonic FS12 and Ricoh GR Digital IV, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Panasonic and Ricoh. The image resolution of the FS12 (12MP) and the GR Digital IV (10MP) is relatively similar but the FS12 (1/2.3") and GR Digital IV (1/1.7") possess totally different sensor sizes.

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The FS12 was released 3 years earlier than the GR Digital IV and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Ricoh GR Digital IV being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a short introduction of how the FS12 scores versus the GR Digital IV when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 and Ricoh GR Digital IV. The complete galleries are viewable at Panasonic FS12 Gallery and Ricoh GR Digital IV Gallery.

In case you're going to lug around your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic FS12 has outside measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Ricoh GR Digital IV has specifications of 109mm x 59mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FS12 and Ricoh GR Digital IV in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the FS12 versus the GR Digital IV.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FS12 and GR Digital IV is 95 and 92 respectively.

Typically, it can be hard to see the contrast between sensor measurements purely by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual here will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the FS12 and GR Digital IV.

As you can see, the two cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The FS12 due to its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF trickier and the Panasonic FS12 will offer you greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively. The older FS12 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.