JVC
GY-HC500U
Connected Cam 1-inch camcorder with 20x zoom, 4K60p ProRes 422 10-bit, HLG/J-Log1, 3G-SDI, weather sealing, and SRT streaming.
$3,395
Launch priceReleased Sep 2019
Ricoh
GR IV
Latest GR with 25.74MP APS-C sensor, 28mm equivalent lens, 5-axis SR, 53GB internal memory, and pocket street-camera handling.
$1,499
Launch priceReleased Jan 2026
GR IV is 6.3 years newer.
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Wins
GY-HC500U
Wins
GR IV
2 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BGR IV has higher AF points / zones (49 vs 0)
- BGR IV has higher ISO max (native) (204,800 vs 25,600)
- AGY-HC500U has higher Burst (electronic) (20 fps vs 4 fps)
- BGR IV has higher Resolution (25.74 MP vs 9.35 MP)
- AGY-HC500U has higher Battery life (CIPA) (640 shots vs 250 shots)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareGY-HC500U
134 × 91 × 72 mm
580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
GR IV
109 × 61 × 33 mm
262 g (0.58 lb / 9.24 oz)
GY-HC500U is 25mm wider, 30mm taller, and 39mm thicker than GR IV.
GY-HC500U is 318 g heavier than GR IV.
Depth (front-to-back): 72mm GY-HC500U · 33mm GR IV
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
GY-HC500U
134 × 91 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
GR IV
109 × 61 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
GY-HC500U
134 × 72 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
GR IV
109 × 33 mm
Sensor size, to scale
GY-HC500U
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
GR IV
23.3 × 15.5 mm · APS-C
361 mm² area
1.6× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
GY-HC500U
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Codecs
Adds H.265, H.264, ProRes
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 91, 72
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II
Burst (electronic)
20 fps vs 4 fps — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 250 shots — higher is better
AA filter
Only GY-HC500U supports it
Animal / bird AF
Only GY-HC500U supports it
Reasons to choose
GR IV
AF points / zones
49 vs 0 — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Face, Eye
Codecs
Adds MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, MOV
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 109.4, 61.1, 32.7
Card types
Adds microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC UHS-I
ISO max (native)
204,800 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Resolution
25.74 MP vs 9.35 MP — higher is better
Weight
262 g vs 580 g — lower is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 60 fps
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
GY-HC500U
Pros
- ✓1-inch sensor + 20x f/2.8–4.5 zoom
- ✓4K60p Apple ProRes 422 internal
- ✓HLG / J-Log1 HDR
- ✓3G-SDI + weather-resistant body
- ✓SRT / RTMP streaming
Cons
- –Heavy at 3.6 kg configured
- –SSD ProRes needs optional adapter
- –Premium over GY-HM250
- –9.35MP effective sensor
GR IV
Pros
- ✓25.74MP APS-C sensor
- ✓5-axis sensor-shift SR
- ✓53GB internal memory
- ✓Pocketable 28mm GR lens
Cons
- –Fixed lens
- –No built-in EVF
- –Full HD video only
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the GY-HC500U and GR IV at major authorized retailers.
JVC GY-HC500U
Ricoh GR IV
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, GY-HC500U or GR IV?
GY-HC500U scores 9.0/10 versus 1.0/10 for GR IV — 20fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the GY-HC500U and GR IV?
GY-HC500U is 9.35 MP and GR IV is 25.74 MP, so the GR IV captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the GY-HC500U and GR IV have in-body image stabilization?
GY-HC500U has 7-stop in-body image stabilization, while GR IV has in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the GY-HC500U or the GR IV?
GY-HC500U reaches 20 fps electronic. GR IV reaches 4 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the GY-HC500U and GR IV?
GY-HC500U weighs 580 g and GR IV weighs 262 g, so the GR IV is 318 g lighter.
Do the GY-HC500U and GR IV record 4K video?
GY-HC500U: 4K up to 60p. GR IV: 4K up to 60p.
Are the GY-HC500U and GR IV weather sealed?
GY-HC500U: Yes. GR IV: No.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the GY-HC500U and 250 shots for the GR IV, giving the GY-HC500U the edge.
How much does each cost?
GY-HC500U launched at $3,395 and GR IV at $1,499. The GR IV is $1,896 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way GY-HC500U vs GR IV vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of JVC and Ricoh press materials.