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 7 IV
33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.
$2,499
Released Oct 2021
Alpha 7 IV is 10.1 years newer.
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Wins
GR Digital IV
Wins
Alpha 7 IV
1 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 3,200)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Burst (mechanical) (10 fps vs 1.54 fps)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Burst (electronic) (10 fps vs 1.54 fps)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Resolution (33 MP vs 10 MP)
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 7 IV
131 × 96 × 80 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
GR Digital IV is 23mm narrower, 37mm shorter, and 47mm thinner than Alpha 7 IV.
GR Digital IV is 439 g lighter than Alpha 7 IV.
Depth (front-to-back): 33mm GR Digital IV · 80mm Alpha 7 IV
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 7 IV
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
GR Digital IV: mount data unavailable
Alpha 7 IV
✓ 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 658 g — lower is better
ISO min (native)
80 vs 100 — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7 IV
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 131.3, 96.4, 79.8
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A, SD UHS-II
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 3,200 — higher is better
Burst (mechanical)
10 fps vs 1.54 fps — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
10 fps vs 1.54 fps — higher is better
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 60 fps
- ✓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 7 IV
Pros
- ✓33MP — more detail for cropping and print
- ✓10-bit 4K 60p (Super35 crop) / 4K 30p full-frame
- ✓Full-size HDMI port
- ✓759 phase-detect AF points
Cons
- –4K 60p requires Super35 crop
- –10fps burst lags behind R6 II at 40fps
- –Complex menu system
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the GR Digital IV and Alpha 7 IV at major authorized retailers.
Ricoh GR Digital IV
Sony Alpha 7 IV
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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 7 IV?
Alpha 7 IV scores 8.0/10 versus 0.0/10 for GR Digital IV — Bird AF subject recognition.
What's the resolution difference between the GR Digital IV and Alpha 7 IV?
GR Digital IV is 10 MP and Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP, so the Alpha 7 IV captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the GR Digital IV and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?
GR Digital IV has in-body image stabilization, while alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the GR Digital IV or the Alpha 7 IV?
GR Digital IV reaches 1.54 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the GR Digital IV and Alpha 7 IV?
GR Digital IV weighs 219 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the GR Digital IV is 439 g lighter.
Do the GR Digital IV and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?
GR Digital IV: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.
Are the GR Digital IV and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?
GR Digital IV: No. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 390 shots (CIPA) for the GR Digital IV and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the Alpha 7 IV the edge.
How much does each cost?
GR Digital IV launched at $599 and Alpha 7 IV at $2,499. The GR Digital IV is $1,900 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Ricoh and Sony press materials.