Ricoh GR vs Panasonic GH4

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Ricoh GR vs Panasonic GH4

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APS-C 369.7mm²
16.2 megapixels
28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Ricoh GR Review.
See real-world photos taken with the GR.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GH4 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GH4 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GH4.
Compare Panasonic GH4 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GH4 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Ricoh GR II
Compare GR vs GR II

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH5
Compare GH4 vs GH5

Compare RICOH GR II vs PANASONIC GH5

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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

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
GR test data on DxO Mark GH4 test data on DxO Mark

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

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

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

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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

$998
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

$998
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
Bigger pixels

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh GR vs Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH4

Olympus E-M1

$998
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

$998
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

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Fujifilm X70

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