Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Samsung NX20

Following is a extensive analysis of the Ricoh GR Digital IV and Samsung NX20, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by brands Ricoh and Samsung. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the GR Digital IV (10MP) and NX20 (20MP) and the GR Digital IV (1/1.7") and NX20 (APS-C) boast different sensor measurements.

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The GR Digital IV was launched 7 months earlier than the NX20 so they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Ricoh GR Digital IV being a Compact camera and the Samsung NX20 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple summary of how the GR Digital IV matches up vs the NX20 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Ricoh GR Digital IV and Samsung NX20. The complete galleries are available at Ricoh GR Digital IV Gallery and Samsung NX20 Gallery.

If you are going to carry around your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and measurements. The Ricoh GR Digital IV enjoys outer dimensions of 109mm x 59mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs) and the Samsung NX20 has proportions of 122mm x 90mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.6") having a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs).

See the Ricoh GR Digital IV and Samsung NX20 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the GR Digital IV vs the NX20.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GR Digital IV and NX20 is 92 and 83 respectively.

More often than not, its difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes just by seeing specifications. The image below may offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the GR Digital IV and NX20.

To sum up, the 2 cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The GR Digital IV because of its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF harder and the Samsung NX20 will produce more detail utilizing its extra 10MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics more aggressively. The more aged GR Digital IV will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.