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Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Samsung GX-20

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39
Ricoh GR Digital IV front
 
Samsung GX-20 front
Portability
58
Imaging
54
Features
52
Overall
53

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Samsung GX-20 Key Specs

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
  • Superseded the Ricoh GR Digital III
Samsung GX-20
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 72mm
  • Launched January 2008
  • Replaced the Samsung GX-10
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Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Samsung GX-20 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Ricoh GR Digital IV versus Samsung GX-20, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Ricoh and Samsung. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the GR Digital IV (10MP) and GX-20 (15MP) and the GR Digital IV (1/1.7") and GX-20 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor measurements.

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The GR Digital IV was announced 3 years after the GX-20 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Ricoh GR Digital IV being a Compact camera and the Samsung GX-20 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go in to a full comparison, below is a brief view of how the GR Digital IV grades versus the GX-20 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh GR Digital IV over the Samsung GX-20

 GR Digital IV GX-20 
LaunchedSeptember 2011January 2008Newer by 45 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1230k230kSharper screen (+1000k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung GX-20 over the Ricoh GR Digital IV

 GX-20 GR Digital IV 

Common features in the Ricoh GR Digital IV and Samsung GX-20

 GR Digital IV GX-20 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Samsung GX-20 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Ricoh GR Digital IV comes with exterior measurements of 109mm x 59mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs) whilst the Samsung GX-20 has proportions of 142mm x 101mm x 72mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

See the Ricoh GR Digital IV versus Samsung GX-20 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose during that time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the GR Digital IV versus the GX-20.

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Samsung GX-20 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the GR Digital IV and GX-20 is 92 and 58 respectively.

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Samsung GX-20 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Samsung GX-20 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to see the difference between sensor dimensions just by reading technical specs. The picture underneath will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the GR Digital IV and GX-20.

As you have seen, each of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The GR Digital IV with its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF more challenging and the Samsung GX-20 will deliver extra detail with its extra 5MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The younger GR Digital IV is going to have an advantage in sensor technology.

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Samsung GX-20 sensor size comparison

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Samsung GX-20 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Samsung GX-20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital IV as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung GX-20 as a Portrait photography camera
41
has manual focus
supports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
72
you can focus manually
decent MP (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital IV as a Street photography camera
Samsung GX-20 as a Street photography camera
65
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proof
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital IV Sports photography details
Samsung GX-20 Sports photography details
34
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
better than average battery pack (390 per charge)
fixed focal length (28mm)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect AF
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
environment proof
has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital IV Travel photography information
Samsung GX-20 Travel photography information
67
better than average battery pack (390 shots)
flash built-in
fast max aperture (f1.9)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
64
environment proof
decent MP (15MP)
built-in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Ricoh GR Digital IV
Landscape photography with Samsung GX-20
53
has manual focus
fast max aperture (f1.9)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (390 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (28mm)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
71
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proof
screen is small (2.7")
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Ricoh GR Digital IV
Vlogging with Samsung GX-20
29
fast max aperture (f1.9)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
missing mic socket
9
can't record video
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Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Samsung GX-20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh GR Digital IV and Samsung GX-20
 Ricoh GR Digital IVSamsung GX-20
General Information
Brand Ricoh Samsung
Model Ricoh GR Digital IV Samsung GX-20
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2011-09-15 2008-01-24
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" APS-C
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 -
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4688 x 3120
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 28mm (1x) -
Max aperture f/1.9 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 4.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 1,230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 1 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Manual Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) -
Highest video resolution 640x480 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 190 gr (0.42 lbs) 800 gr (1.76 lbs)
Dimensions 109 x 59 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.3") 142 x 101 x 72mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 68
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.1
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.2
DXO Low light score not tested 714
Other
Battery life 390 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model DB65 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $599 $850