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Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony A55

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39
Ricoh GR Digital IV front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony A55 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
  • Launched September 2011
  • Earlier Model is Ricoh GR Digital III
Sony A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Released August 2010
  • Refreshed by Sony A57
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Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony A55 Overview

Below is a extensive assessment of the Ricoh GR Digital IV versus Sony A55, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Ricoh and Sony. There is a significant difference among the resolutions of the GR Digital IV (10MP) and A55 (16MP) and the GR Digital IV (1/1.7") and A55 (APS-C) feature different sensor sizing.

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The GR Digital IV was revealed 13 months later than the A55 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both cameras come with different body type with the Ricoh GR Digital IV being a Compact camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the GR Digital IV grades against the A55 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh GR Digital IV over the Sony A55

 GR Digital IV A55 
ReleasedSeptember 2011August 2010More recent by 13 months
Screen resolution1230k921kSharper screen (+309k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Ricoh GR Digital IV

 A55 GR Digital IV 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Ricoh GR Digital IV and Sony A55

 GR Digital IV A55 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Ricoh GR Digital IV enjoys external dimensions of 109mm x 59mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs) whilst the Sony A55 has specifications of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Check the Ricoh GR Digital IV versus Sony A55 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the GR Digital IV versus the A55.

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony A55 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the GR Digital IV and A55 is 92 and 67 respectively.

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to visualize the gap in sensor measurements merely by viewing a spec sheet. The visual below will offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the GR Digital IV and A55.

Clearly, both cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The GR Digital IV using its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field more challenging and the Sony A55 will render greater detail because of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs much more aggressively. The more recent GR Digital IV should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital IV Portrait photography advice
Sony A55 Portrait photography advice
41
manual focus
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
73
manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital IV as a Street photography camera
Sony A55 as a Street photography camera
65
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
77
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital IV Sports photography factors
Sony A55 Sports photography factors
34
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
great battery life (390 per charge)
focal length is fixed (28mm)
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
not so great battery life (380 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital IV Travel photography features
Sony A55 Travel photography features
67
great battery life (390 shots)
built-in flash
good maximum aperture (f1.9)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
62
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
does not have Timelapse recording
not so great battery life (380 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital IV Landscape photography details
Sony A55 Landscape photography details
53
manual focus
good maximum aperture (f1.9)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (390 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (28mm)
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
67
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
not so great battery life (380 shots)
does not have Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh GR Digital IV as a Vlogging camera
Sony A55 as a Vlogging camera
29
good maximum aperture (f1.9)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
no microphone jack
78
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes microphone socket
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Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh GR Digital IV and Sony A55
 Ricoh GR Digital IVSony SLT-A55
General Information
Manufacturer Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh GR Digital IV Sony SLT-A55
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2011-09-15 2010-08-24
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" APS-C
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface 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
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28mm (1x) -
Highest aperture f/1.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 4.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 1,230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 1 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 190 grams (0.42 pounds) 500 grams (1.10 pounds)
Dimensions 109 x 59 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.3") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 73
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 816
Other
Battery life 390 pictures 380 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DB65 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $599 $800