Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sigma DP3 Merrill

The following is a thorough analysis of the Ricoh GR Digital IV versus Sigma DP3 Merrill, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Ricoh and Sigma. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the GR Digital IV (10MP) and DP3 Merrill (15MP) and the GR Digital IV (1/1.7") and DP3 Merrill (APS-C) use totally different sensor sizing.

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The GR Digital IV was manufactured 16 months earlier than the DP3 Merrill which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Ricoh GR Digital IV being a Compact camera and the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the GR Digital IV matches up vs the DP3 Merrill in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

This is a preview of the gallery photos for Ricoh GR Digital IV and Sigma DP3 Merrill. The entire galleries are provided at Ricoh GR Digital IV Gallery and Sigma DP3 Merrill Gallery.

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera often, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Ricoh GR Digital IV comes with outside measurements 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 Sigma DP3 Merrill has measurements of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") accompanied by a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

Analyze the Ricoh GR Digital IV versus Sigma DP3 Merrill in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the GR Digital IV compared to the DP3 Merrill.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GR Digital IV and DP3 Merrill is 92 and 83 respectively.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions just by looking through specifications. The image below will provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the GR Digital IV and DP3 Merrill.

To sum up, both cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The GR Digital IV featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF tougher and the Sigma DP3 Merrill will result in extra detail due to its extra 5MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged GR Digital IV will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.