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Pentax S1 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio S1 front
 
Ricoh GR Digital IV front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Pentax S1 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV Key Specs

Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Introduced March 2011
Ricoh GR Digital IV
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28mm (F1.9) lens
  • 190g - 109 x 59 x 33mm
  • Launched September 2011
  • Old Model is Ricoh GR Digital III
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Pentax S1 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV Overview

In this article, we will be contrasting the Pentax S1 and Ricoh GR Digital IV, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Pentax and Ricoh. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the S1 (14MP) and GR Digital IV (10MP) and the S1 (1/2.3") and GR Digital IV (1/1.7") feature different sensor measurements.

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The S1 was introduced 6 months before the GR Digital IV and they are of a similar generation. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the S1 matches up against the GR Digital IV in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Ricoh GR Digital IV

 S1 GR Digital IV 

Reasons to pick Ricoh GR Digital IV over the Pentax S1

 GR Digital IV S1 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1230k230kSharper screen (+1000k dot)

Common features in the Pentax S1 and Ricoh GR Digital IV

 S1 GR Digital IV 
LaunchedMarch 2011September 2011Same generation
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Pentax S1 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax S1 features exterior dimensions 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 sizing of 109mm x 59mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax S1 and Ricoh GR Digital IV in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the S1 versus the GR Digital IV.

Pentax S1 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the S1 and GR Digital IV is 93 and 92 respectively.

Pentax S1 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV top view buttons comparison

Pentax S1 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes only by viewing specs. The pic underneath will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the S1 and GR Digital IV.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The S1 with its smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh harder and the Pentax S1 will render greater detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures far more aggressively.

Pentax S1 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV sensor size comparison

Pentax S1 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax S1 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax S1 Portrait photography advice
Ricoh GR Digital IV Portrait photography advice
35
has manual focus
MP count decent (14MP)
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
41
you can focus manually
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Pentax S1 as a Street photography camera
Ricoh GR Digital IV as a Street photography camera
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
65
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Pentax S1 Sports photography factors
Ricoh GR Digital IV Sports photography factors
39
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14MP)
offers tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
34
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good battery (390 CIPA)
focal length is fixed (28mm)
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax S1 Travel photography features
Ricoh GR Digital IV Travel photography features
64
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
67
good battery (390 per charge)
has built in flash
good maximum aperture (f1.9)
megapixel count low (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax S1 Landscape photography details
Ricoh GR Digital IV Landscape photography details
42
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
53
you can focus manually
good maximum aperture (f1.9)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
good battery (390 per charge)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (28mm)
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax S1 Vlogging advice
Ricoh GR Digital IV Vlogging advice
28
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic jack
29
good maximum aperture (f1.9)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have mic jack
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Pentax S1 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax S1 and Ricoh GR Digital IV
 Pentax Optio S1Ricoh GR Digital IV
General Information
Brand Pentax Ricoh
Model Pentax Optio S1 Ricoh GR Digital IV
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-03-02 2011-09-15
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28mm (1x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/1.9
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 4.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 1,230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 1s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.90 m 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Manual
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 157 gr (0.35 pounds) 190 gr (0.42 pounds)
Dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 109 x 59 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 photos 390 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 DB65
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $174 $599