Pentax RS1500 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV

Let's take a more detailed look at the Pentax RS1500 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Pentax and Ricoh. There is a crucial difference between the resolutions of the RS1500 (14MP) and GR Digital IV (10MP) and the RS1500 (1/2.3") and GR Digital IV (1/1.7") come with totally different sensor sizing.

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The RS1500 was revealed 6 months earlier than the GR Digital IV so they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the RS1500 scores versus the GR Digital IV with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Optio RS1500 and Ricoh GR Digital IV. The full galleries are viewable at Pentax RS1500 Gallery and Ricoh GR Digital IV Gallery.

In case you're looking to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Pentax RS1500 has got exterior measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) and 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).

Contrast the Pentax RS1500 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use during that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the RS1500 vs the GR Digital IV.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the RS1500 and GR Digital IV is 93 and 92 respectively.

Generally, its difficult to envision the gap between sensor sizes merely by reading through specs. The picture below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the RS1500 and GR Digital IV.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The RS1500 using its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF more difficult and the Pentax RS1500 will give you extra detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots somewhat more aggressively.