Ricoh
GR Digital IV
Cult compact GR Digital with 10MP CCD sensor, fast 28mm equivalent f/1.9 lens, and sensor-shift stabilization.
$599
Released Sep 2011
Sony
Alpha 1 II
50MP stacked flagship with 30fps RAW, 8K video, and Sony's fastest hybrid performance.
$6,499
Released Nov 2024
Alpha 1 II is 13.2 years newer.
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Wins
GR Digital IV
Wins
Alpha 1 II
1 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 1 II has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 1.54 fps)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher ISO max (native) (32,000 vs 3,200)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher Burst (mechanical) (10 fps vs 1.54 fps)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher Resolution (50.1 MP vs 10 MP)
- AGR Digital IV has lower Weight (219 g vs 743 g)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
GR Digital IV
109 × 60 × 33 mm
219 g (0.48 lb / 7.73 oz)
Alpha 1 II
136 × 97 × 83 mm
743 g (1.64 lb / 26.21 oz)
GR Digital IV is 28mm narrower, 37mm shorter, and 50mm thinner than Alpha 1 II.
GR Digital IV is 524 g lighter than Alpha 1 II.
Depth (front-to-back): 33mm GR Digital IV · 83mm Alpha 1 II
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 1 II
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
GR Digital IV: mount data unavailable
Alpha 1 II
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
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
GR Digital IV
Codecs
Adds Motion JPEG AVI
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 108.6, 59.8, 32.5
Card types
Adds SD, SDHC, Eye-Fi
Weight
219 g vs 743 g — lower is better
ISO min (native)
80 vs 100 — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 1 II
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 136.1, 96.9, 82.9
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A, SD UHS-II
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 1.54 fps — higher is better
ISO max (native)
32,000 vs 3,200 — higher is better
Burst (mechanical)
10 fps vs 1.54 fps — higher is better
Resolution
50.1 MP vs 10 MP — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓Max video bit rate — Both 150 Mbps
- ✓In-body stabilization — Both support in-body stabilization
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
GR Digital IV
Pros
- ✓Fast f/1.9 GR lens
- ✓CCD rendering
- ✓Compact classic
- ✓Sensor-shift stabilization
Cons
- –Small sensor
- –VGA video only
- –Very old model
Alpha 1 II
Pros
- ✓50MP stacked sensor
- ✓30fps blackout-free burst
- ✓8K 30p video
- ✓Best Sony AF
Cons
- –Very expensive
- –Complex menus
- –Large files
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the GR Digital IV and Alpha 1 II at major authorized retailers.
Ricoh GR Digital IV
Sony Alpha 1 II
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, GR Digital IV or Alpha 1 II?
Alpha 1 II scores 9.5/10 versus 0.0/10 for GR Digital IV — 30fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the GR Digital IV and Alpha 1 II?
GR Digital IV is 10 MP and Alpha 1 II is 50.1 MP, so the Alpha 1 II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the GR Digital IV and Alpha 1 II have in-body image stabilization?
GR Digital IV has in-body image stabilization, while alpha 1 II has 8.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the GR Digital IV or the Alpha 1 II?
GR Digital IV reaches 1.54 fps electronic. Alpha 1 II reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the GR Digital IV and Alpha 1 II?
GR Digital IV weighs 219 g and Alpha 1 II weighs 743 g, so the GR Digital IV is 524 g lighter.
Do the GR Digital IV and Alpha 1 II record 4K video?
GR Digital IV: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 1 II: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the GR Digital IV and Alpha 1 II weather sealed?
GR Digital IV: No. Alpha 1 II: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 390 shots (CIPA) for the GR Digital IV and 520 shots for the Alpha 1 II, giving the Alpha 1 II the edge.
How much does each cost?
GR Digital IV launched at $599 and Alpha 1 II at $6,499. The GR Digital IV is $5,900 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Ricoh and Sony press materials.