• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Ricoh GR advantages over Panasonic GH4

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher effective ISO
    972 vs 791 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 83 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    243g vs 569g
    Lighter weight
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    300 vs 60 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Panasonic GH4 advantages over Ricoh GR

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 1.6 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 530 vs 290 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.19 vs 0.28 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.8 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.8 fps vs 6.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    21 vs 4 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • The most compact APS-C camera on the market; Bright, sharp 28mm f/2.8 prime lens with almost no distortion; Excellent image quality; Extremely customizable; Fast autofocus; Strong built-in flash plus hot shoe.

  • Fixed prime lens is not for everybody; Crowded and small controls; Burst performance is limited; Muted colors and cool white balance; Has issues with moire and false color.

  • Read our Ricoh GR Review

  • Excellent still image quality for its class; Fantastic, highly-detailed video quality; Superior video recording chops with 4K video (both Cinema 4K and Ultra HD); Responsive all-around performer with great AF performance and burst shooting; Rolling shutter is minimal with 60p and 30p video; Splash- and dust-proof magnesium alloy body; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC.

  • High ISO performance not as good as some APS-C models (IQ drops quickly past ISO 3200); Overall still image quality not significantly better than the GH3; Sluggish buffer clearing with RAW files; Rolling shutter noticeable on 4K video; Not as compact as most mirrorless cameras.

  • Read our Panasonic GH4 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Ricoh GR
Panasonic GH3
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh GR vs Panasonic GH3

Panasonic GH4
Panasonic GH3
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $798
  • 4/3

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic GH3

Compared to Nikon Coolpix A

Ricoh GR
Nikon Coolpix A
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Bigger RAW buffer

Compare Ricoh GR vs Nikon Coolpix A

Panasonic GH4
Nikon Coolpix A
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Nikon Coolpix A

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Ricoh GR
Olympus E-M1
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh GR vs Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH4
Olympus E-M1
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Ricoh GR II

Ricoh GR
Ricoh GR II
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Ricoh GR vs Ricoh GR II

Panasonic GH4
Ricoh GR II
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Ricoh GR II

Compared to Fujifilm X70

Ricoh GR
Fujifilm X70
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Integrated ND filter
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen

Compare Ricoh GR vs Fujifilm X70

Panasonic GH4
Fujifilm X70
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Fujifilm X70

Compare Other Cameras?