Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony HX1
92 Imaging
34 Features
47 Overall
39


67 Imaging
32 Features
36 Overall
33
Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony HX1 Key Specs
(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
- Earlier Model is Ricoh GR Digital III
(Full Review)
- 9MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1440 x 1080 video
- 28-560mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
- 544g - 115 x 83 x 92mm
- Released April 2009

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony HX1 Overview
Lets look closer at the Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony HX1, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Ricoh and Sony. The image resolution of the GR Digital IV (10MP) and the HX1 (9MP) is relatively similar but the GR Digital IV (1/1.7") and HX1 (1/2.4") boast totally different sensor sizing.

The GR Digital IV was unveiled 2 years after the HX1 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Ricoh GR Digital IV being a Compact camera and the Sony HX1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before diving straight to a complete comparison, here is a simple summation of how the GR Digital IV matches up against the HX1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony HX1 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Ricoh GR Digital IV & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1. The full galleries are viewable at Ricoh GR Digital IV Gallery & Sony HX1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Ricoh GR Digital IV over the Sony HX1
GR Digital IV | HX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | September 2011 | ![]() | April 2009 | Newer by 30 months |
Screen resolution | 1230k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+1000k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Ricoh GR Digital IV
HX1 | GR Digital IV | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Ricoh GR Digital IV and Sony HX1
GR Digital IV | HX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Missing Touch screen |
Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony HX1 Physical Comparison
When you are going to travel with your camera, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Ricoh GR Digital IV features external 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 Sony HX1 has measurements of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") along with a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs).
Check out the Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony HX1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the GR Digital IV and the HX1.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the GR Digital IV and HX1 is 92 and 67 respectively.

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony HX1 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, its tough to see the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing technical specs. The pic below will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the GR Digital IV and HX1.
As you have seen, both cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The GR Digital IV with its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Ricoh GR Digital IV will offer you extra detail having an extra 1MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The newer GR Digital IV will have an edge in sensor technology.

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony HX1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony HX1 Specifications
Ricoh GR Digital IV | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Ricoh | Sony |
Model type | Ricoh GR Digital IV | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2011-09-15 | 2009-04-22 |
Physical type | Compact | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/1.7" | 1/2.4" |
Sensor dimensions | 7.44 x 5.58mm | 6.104 x 4.578mm |
Sensor area | 41.5mm² | 27.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 9MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 3456 x 2592 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 125 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28mm (1x) | 28-560mm (20.0x) |
Max aperture | f/1.9 | f/2.8-5.2 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 4.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 1,230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (optional) | Electronic |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 1s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting rate | - | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | 9.20 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Manual | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 1440x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | H.264 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 190 gr (0.42 lbs) | 544 gr (1.20 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 109 x 59 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.3") | 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 390 images | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | DB65 | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at launch | $599 | $47,999 |