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Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony A580

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39
Ricoh GR Digital IV front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 front
Portability
64
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony A580 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
  • Announced September 2011
  • Older Model is Ricoh GR Digital III
Sony A580
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Released May 2011
  • Previous Model is Sony A100
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Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony A580 Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Ricoh GR Digital IV and Sony A580, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Ricoh and Sony. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the GR Digital IV (10MP) and A580 (16MP) and the GR Digital IV (1/1.7") and A580 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The GR Digital IV was launched 4 months after the A580 and they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Ricoh GR Digital IV being a Compact camera and the Sony A580 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going in to a complete comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the GR Digital IV scores versus the A580 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh GR Digital IV over the Sony A580

 GR Digital IV A580 
Screen resolution1230k922kSharper screen (+308k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A580 over the Ricoh GR Digital IV

 A580 GR Digital IV 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Ricoh GR Digital IV and Sony A580

 GR Digital IV A580 
ReleasedSeptember 2011May 2011Similar age
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony A580 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and measurements. The Ricoh GR Digital IV comes with physical measurements of 109mm x 59mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs) while the Sony A580 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).

Look at the Ricoh GR Digital IV and Sony A580 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the GR Digital IV compared to the A580.

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony A580 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the GR Digital IV and A580 is 92 and 64 respectively.

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony A580 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony A580 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to see the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The picture underneath may give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the GR Digital IV and A580.

Clearly, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The GR Digital IV due to its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Sony A580 will offer greater detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots far more aggressively.

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony A580 sensor size comparison

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony A580 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony A580 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital IV as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A580 as a Portrait photography camera
41
has manual focus
exports RAW files
low MP (10MP)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
73
manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital IV as a Street photography camera
Sony A580 as a Street photography camera
65
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/1.7")
75
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Ricoh GR Digital IV
Sports photography with Sony A580
34
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
better than average battery power (390 CIPA)
can't change focal length (28mm)
low MP (10MP)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect auto focus
78
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has tracking focus
good battery power (1,050 shots)
has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Ricoh GR Digital IV
Travel photography with Sony A580
67
better than average battery power (390 CIPA)
flash built-in
good maximum aperture (f1.9)
low MP (10MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
60
good battery power (1,050 shots)
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital IV Landscape photography features
Sony A580 Landscape photography features
53
has manual focus
good maximum aperture (f1.9)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (390 shots)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (28mm)
low MP (10MP)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
73
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (1,050 per charge)
2 card slots
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Ricoh GR Digital IV
Vlogging with Sony A580
29
good maximum aperture (f1.9)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
no mic jack
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic support
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony A580 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh GR Digital IV and Sony A580
 Ricoh GR Digital IVSony Alpha DSLR-A580
General Information
Manufacturer Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh GR Digital IV Sony Alpha DSLR-A580
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2011-09-15 2011-05-26
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28mm (1x) -
Largest aperture f/1.9 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 4.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (optional) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 1s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate - 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 190 gr (0.42 pounds) 599 gr (1.32 pounds)
Dimensions 109 x 59 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.3") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 80
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 1121
Other
Battery life 390 images 1050 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DB65 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One Two
Launch price $599 $848