Ricoh GR Digital IV vs Sony A99

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Ricoh GR Digital IV and Sony A99, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Ricoh and Sony. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the GR Digital IV (10MP) and A99 (24MP) and the GR Digital IV (1/1.7") and A99 (Full frame) posses totally different sensor dimensions.

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The GR Digital IV was introduced 15 months prior to the A99 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Ricoh GR Digital IV being a Compact camera and the Sony A99 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the GR Digital IV grades vs the A99 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Ricoh GR Digital IV & Sony SLT-A99. The whole galleries are viewable at Ricoh GR Digital IV Gallery & Sony A99 Gallery.

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Ricoh GR Digital IV features outside dimensions of 109mm x 59mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs) while the Sony A99 has dimensions of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") along with a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Look at the Ricoh GR Digital IV and Sony A99 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the GR Digital IV against the A99.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the GR Digital IV and A99 is 92 and 57 respectively.

Oftentimes, it is hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes simply by reading through a spec sheet. The image below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the GR Digital IV and A99.

As you can see, both the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The GR Digital IV having a tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony A99 will resolve extra detail using its extra 14MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The more aged GR Digital IV is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.