Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony NEX-5R

Following is a extended review of the Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony NEX-5R, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Ricoh and Sony. There exists a crucial gap among the sensor resolutions of the GR Digital IV (10MP) and NEX-5R (16MP) and the GR Digital IV (1/1.7") and NEX-5R (APS-C) have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The GR Digital IV was released 11 months before the NEX-5R and they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Ricoh GR Digital IV being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief summation of how the GR Digital IV matches up versus the NEX-5R in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Below is a preview of the gallery images for Ricoh GR Digital IV and Sony Alpha NEX-5R. The complete galleries are provided at Ricoh GR Digital IV Gallery and Sony NEX-5R Gallery.

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Ricoh GR Digital IV features outside dimensions 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 Sony NEX-5R has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Take a look at the Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony NEX-5R in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the GR Digital IV against the NEX-5R.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GR Digital IV and NEX-5R is 92 and 89 respectively.

Quite often, it is very hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizes merely by checking out technical specs. The pic below will help give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the GR Digital IV and NEX-5R.

As you have seen, both cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The GR Digital IV due to its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF harder and the Sony NEX-5R will show greater detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots more aggressively. The more aged GR Digital IV will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.