Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony RX1R

The following is a extended review of the Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony RX1R, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Ricoh and Sony. There exists a crucial gap between the image resolutions of the GR Digital IV (10MP) and RX1R (24MP) and the GR Digital IV (1/1.7") and RX1R (Full frame) provide totally different sensor size.

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The GR Digital IV was announced 21 months prior to the RX1R which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Ricoh GR Digital IV being a Compact camera and the Sony RX1R being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple view of how the GR Digital IV grades vs the RX1R with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Here is a preview of the gallery images for Ricoh GR Digital IV and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R. The whole galleries are provided at Ricoh GR Digital IV Gallery and Sony RX1R Gallery.

If you are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. 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) whilst the Sony RX1R has sizing of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") with a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs).

Check the Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony RX1R in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use at that moment. Here is a front view size comparison of the GR Digital IV versus the RX1R.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GR Digital IV and RX1R is 92 and 79 respectively.

Quite often, it is very tough to see the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reading specs. The image here should provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the GR Digital IV and RX1R.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The GR Digital IV using its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Sony RX1R will offer you extra detail with its extra 14 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more aged GR Digital IV is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.