Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony A390

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony A390, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Ricoh and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the GR Digital IV (10MP) and A390 (14MP) and the GR Digital IV (1/1.7") and A390 (APS-C) come with different sensor dimensions.

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The GR Digital IV was launched 14 months after the A390 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. The two cameras offer different body type with the Ricoh GR Digital IV being a Compact camera and the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the GR Digital IV grades against the A390 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Ricoh GR Digital IV and Sony Alpha DSLR-A390. The complete galleries are provided at Ricoh GR Digital IV Gallery and Sony A390 Gallery.

When you are aiming to travel with your camera often, you have to factor its weight and size. The Ricoh GR Digital IV comes with outer dimensions of 109mm x 59mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs) while the Sony A390 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Check out the Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony A390 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have during that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the GR Digital IV and the A390.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GR Digital IV and A390 is 92 and 66 respectively.

Quite often, it can be tough to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reading through technical specs. The image below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the GR Digital IV and A390.

As you can tell, each of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The GR Digital IV because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF trickier and the Sony A390 will give you extra detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more modern GR Digital IV provides an edge in sensor tech.