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
Sigma
sd1 Merrill
APS-C Foveon X3 body delivering extraordinary per-pixel detail and unique color rendering.
$2,299
Launch priceReleased Mar 2012
GR IV is 13.8 years newer.
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Wins
GR IV
Wins
sd1 Merrill
4 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AGR IV has higher ISO max (native) (204,800 vs 25,600)
- Bsd1 Merrill has higher Burst (electronic) (15 fps vs 4 fps)
- AGR IV has lower Weight (262 g vs 680 g)
- Bsd1 Merrill has higher Battery life (CIPA) (640 shots vs 250 shots)
- Bsd1 Merrill has higher Resolution (46 MP vs 25.74 MP)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
GR IV
109 × 61 × 33 mm
262 g (0.58 lb / 9.24 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
sd1 Merrill
146 × 114 × 80 mm
680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz)
GR IV is 36mm narrower, 52mm shorter, and 47mm thinner than sd1 Merrill.
GR IV is 418 g lighter than sd1 Merrill.
Depth (front-to-back): 33mm GR IV · 80mm sd1 Merrill
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
GR IV
109 × 61 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
sd1 Merrill
146 × 114 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
GR IV
109 × 33 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
sd1 Merrill
146 × 80 mm
Sensor size, to scale
GR IV
23.3 × 15.5 mm · APS-C
361 mm² area
sd1 Merrill
23.5 × 15.7 mm · APS-C
369 mm² area
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 IV
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
Weight
262 g vs 680 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
sd1 Merrill
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Codecs
Adds H.265, H.264
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 145.5, 113.5, 80
Card types
Adds CompactFlash
Burst (electronic)
15 fps vs 4 fps — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 250 shots — higher is better
Animal / bird AF
Only sd1 Merrill supports it
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only sd1 Merrill supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓AF points / zones — Both 49
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 60 fps
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
- ✓Card slots — Both 1
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
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
sd1 Merrill
Pros
- ✓Unique Foveon rendering
- ✓Exceptional detail
- ✓No AA filter needed
- ✓Distinct look
Cons
- –Very slow
- –Poor high ISO
- –SA mount limited
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the GR IV and sd1 Merrill at major authorized retailers.
Ricoh GR IV
Sigma sd1 Merrill
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, GR IV or sd1 Merrill?
sd1 Merrill scores 9.0/10 versus 1.0/10 for GR IV — Bird AF subject recognition.
What's the resolution difference between the GR IV and sd1 Merrill?
GR IV is 25.74 MP and sd1 Merrill is 46 MP, so the sd1 Merrill captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the GR IV and sd1 Merrill have in-body image stabilization?
GR IV has in-body image stabilization, while sd1 Merrill has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the GR IV or the sd1 Merrill?
GR IV reaches 4 fps electronic. sd1 Merrill reaches 15 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the GR IV and sd1 Merrill?
GR IV weighs 262 g and sd1 Merrill weighs 680 g, so the GR IV is 418 g lighter.
Do the GR IV and sd1 Merrill record 4K video?
GR IV: 4K up to 60p. sd1 Merrill: 4K up to 60p.
Are the GR IV and sd1 Merrill weather sealed?
GR IV: No. sd1 Merrill: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 250 shots (CIPA) for the GR IV and 640 shots for the sd1 Merrill, giving the sd1 Merrill the edge.
How much does each cost?
GR IV launched at $1,499 and sd1 Merrill at $2,299. The GR IV is $800 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way GR IV vs sd1 Merrill vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Ricoh and Sigma press materials.