A potelyt.com – Photography & Imaging Resources
ad

When you use links on apotelyt.com to buy products,
the site may earn a commission.

PW

Canon SX510 vs Ricoh GR

The Canon PowerShot SX510 HS and the Ricoh GR are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in August 2013 and April 2013. Both the SX510 and the GR are fixed lens compact cameras that are based on a 1/2.3-inch (SX510) and an APS-C (GR) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 15.9 megapixels, whereas the Ricoh provides 16.1 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Canon SX510
versus
Ricoh GR
Canon SX510   Ricoh GR
Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
24-720mm f/3.4-5.8 28mm f/2.8
15.9 MP – 1/2.3" sensor 16.1 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/24p Video 1080/30p Video
ISO 80-3,200 ISO 100-25,600
No viewfinder, LCD framing Viewfinder optional
3.0" LCD – 461k dots 3.0" LCD – 1230k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
3.8 shutter flaps per second 4 shutter flaps per second
250 shots per battery charge290 shots per battery charge
104 x 70 x 80 mm, 349 g 117 x 61 x 35 mm, 245 g
logo
Check SX510 offers at
ebay.com
logo
Check GR offers at
ebay.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot SX510 HS and the Ricoh GR? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

ad

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon SX510 and the Ricoh GR is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Canon SX510 vs Ricoh GR
Compare SX510 versus GR top
Comparison SX510 or GR rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Ricoh GR is somewhat smaller (2 percent) than the Canon SX510. Moreover, the GR is markedly lighter (30 percent) than the SX510. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the SX510 nor the GR are weather-sealed.

Concerning battery life, the SX510 gets 250 shots out of its Canon NB-6LH battery, while the GR can take 290 images on a single charge of its Ricoh DB-65 power pack. The power pack in the GR can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

scroll hint
Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon SX510 104 mm 70 mm 80 mm 349 g 250 n Aug 2013 249ebay.com
2.
 
Ricoh GR 117 mm 61 mm 35 mm 245 g 290 n Apr 2013 799ebay.com
3.
 
Canon SX430 104 mm 69 mm 85 mm 323 g 195 n Jan 2017 299ebay.com
4.
 
Canon SX420 104 mm 69 mm 85 mm 325 g 195 n Jan 2016 299ebay.com
5.
 
Canon SX410 104 mm 69 mm 85 mm 325 g 185 n Feb 2015 279ebay.com
6.
 
Canon SX520 120 mm 82 mm 92 mm 441 g 210 n Jul 2014 399ebay.com
7.
 
Canon SX700 113 mm 66 mm 35 mm 269 g 250 n Feb 2014 349ebay.com
8.
 
Canon SX600 104 mm 61 mm 26 mm 188 g 290 n Jan 2014 249ebay.com
9.
 
Canon SX400 104 mm 69 mm 80 mm 313 g 190 n Jul 2014 249ebay.com
10.
 
Canon SX60 128 mm 93 mm 114 mm 650 g 340 n Sep 2014 549ebay.com
11.
 
Canon SX500 104 mm 70 mm 80 mm 341 g 195 n Aug 2012 329ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon Coolpix A 111 mm 64 mm 40 mm 299 g 230 n Mar 2013 1,099ebay.com
13.
 
Panasonic GM1 99 mm 55 mm 30 mm 204 g 230 n Oct 2013 749ebay.com
14.
 
Ricoh GR II 117 mm 63 mm 35 mm 251 g 320 n Jun 2015 699ebay.com
15.
 
Sony NEX-5T 111 mm 59 mm 39 mm 276 g 330 n Aug 2013 699ebay.com
16.
 
Sony H200 123 mm 83 mm 87 mm 530 g 240 n Jan 2013 249ebay.com
17.
 
Sony NEX-5R 111 mm 59 mm 39 mm 276 g 330 n Aug 2012 749ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
padding

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The SX510 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 69 percent) than the GR, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon SX510 features a 1/2.3-inch sensor and the Ricoh GR an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the GR is 1221 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 5.6 and 1.5. The sensor in the SX510 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the GR offers a 3:2 aspect.

Canon SX510 and Ricoh GR sensor measures

With 16.1MP, the GR offers a higher resolution than the SX510 (15.9MP), but the GR nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.79μm versus 1.33μm for the SX510) due to its larger sensor. However, the SX510 is a somewhat more recent model (by 4 months) than the GR, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The Canon PowerShot SX510 HS has a native sensitivity range from ISO 80 to ISO 3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Ricoh GR are ISO 100 to ISO 25600 (no boost).

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

SX510 versus GR MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

scroll hint
Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon SX510 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/24p20.011.358645
2.
 
Ricoh GR APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.613.597278
3.
 
Canon SX430 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/25p20.511.990049
4.
 
Canon SX420 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/25p20.311.780648
5.
 
Canon SX410 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/30p20.211.672047
6.
 
Canon SX520 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/30p20.111.567246
7.
 
Canon SX700 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/60p20.111.462945
8.
 
Canon SX600 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/30p20.011.462045
9.
 
Canon SX400 1/2.3 15.9 4608 3456720/30p20.111.567246
10.
 
Canon SX60 1/2.3 14.2 4608 30721080/60p19.210.812739
11.
 
Canon SX500 1/2.3 15.9 4608 3456720/30p19.811.149443
12.
 
Nikon Coolpix A APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.413.8116480
13.
 
Panasonic GM1 Four Thirds 15.8 4592 34481080/60i22.311.766066
14.
 
Ricoh GR II APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.613.7107880
15.
 
Sony NEX-5T APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60p23.613.0101578
16.
 
Sony H200 1/2.3 15.2 5184 2930720/30p19.911.252944
17.
 
Sony NEX-5R APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.713.191078
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
padding

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the GR provides a faster frame rate than the SX510. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/30p, while the Canon is limited to 1080/24p.

ad

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The SX510 and the GR are similar in the sense that neither of the two has a viewfinder. The images are, thus, framed using live view on the rear LCD. That said, the GR can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the GV-1. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon SX510 and Ricoh GR in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

scroll hint
Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Canon SX510none n3.0 / 461 fixed n 1/1600s 3.8/s Y Y
2.
 
Ricoh GRoptional n3.0 / 1230 fixed n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
3.
 
Canon SX430none n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 0.5/s Y Y
4.
 
Canon SX420none n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 0.5/s Y Y
5.
 
Canon SX410none n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 0.5/s Y Y
6.
 
Canon SX520none n3.0 / 461 fixed n 1/2000s 1.6/s Y Y
7.
 
Canon SX700none n3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/3200s 8.5/s Y Y
8.
 
Canon SX600none n3.0 / 461 fixed n 1/2000s 3.9/s Y Y
9.
 
Canon SX400none n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/1600s 0.8/s Y Y
10.
 
Canon SX60922 n3.0 / 922 swivel n 1/2000s 6.4/s Y Y
11.
 
Canon SX500none n3.0 / 461 fixed n 1/1600s 0.8/s Y Y
12.
 
Nikon Coolpix Aoptional n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/2000s 4.0/s Y n
13.
 
Panasonic GM1none n3.0 / 1036 fixed Y 1/500s 5.0/s Y n
14.
 
Ricoh GR IIoptional n3.0 / 1230 fixed n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
15.
 
Sony NEX-5Toptional n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
16.
 
Sony H200none n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/1500s 0.8/s Y Y
17.
 
Sony NEX-5Roptional n3.0 / 920 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

The Ricoh GR has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The SX510 is equipped with a zoom lens, while the GR comes with a built-in prime. The SX510 has a 24-720mm f/3.4-5.8 optic and the GR offers a 28mm f/2.8 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the Canon provides a wider angle of view at the short end, as well as more tele-photo reach at the long end than the Ricoh. The GR offers the faster maximum aperture.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the SX510 and the GR write their files to SDXC cards. The GR supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the SX510 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

ad

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon PowerShot SX510 HS and Ricoh GR and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

scroll hint
Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon SX510-stereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
2.
 
Ricoh GRYmono / mono--micro2.0---
3.
 
Canon SX430-mono / mono---2.0YY-
4.
 
Canon SX420-mono / mono---2.0YY-
5.
 
Canon SX410-stereo / mono---2.0---
6.
 
Canon SX520-stereo / mono--mini2.0---
7.
 
Canon SX700-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
8.
 
Canon SX600-mono / mono--micro2.0YY-
9.
 
Canon SX400-stereo / mono---2.0---
10.
 
Canon SX60Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
11.
 
Canon SX500-stereo / mono---2.0---
12.
 
Nikon Coolpix AYstereo / mono---2.0---
13.
 
Panasonic GM1-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
14.
 
Ricoh GR IIYstereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
15.
 
Sony NEX-5TYstereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
16.
 
Sony H200-mono / mono---2.0---
17.
 
Sony NEX-5RYstereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
padding

It is notable that the SX510 offers wifi support, while the GR does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

Both the SX510 and the GR have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The GR was replaced by the Ricoh GR II, while the SX510 was followed by the Canon SX520. Further information on the features and operation of the SX510 and GR can be found, respectively, in the Canon SX510 Manual (free pdf) or the online Ricoh GR Manual.

ad

Review summary

So how do things add up? Is the Canon SX510 better than the Ricoh GR or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

ilogo

Advantages of the Canon PowerShot SX510 HS:

  • Wider view: Has a wider-angle lens that facilitates landscape or interior shots.
  • Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (69 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 4 months after the GR).

ilogo

Reasons to prefer the Ricoh GR:

  • Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
  • Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
  • More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
  • Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/30p versus 1080/24p).
  • More framing options: Can be equipped with a hotshoe-mounted accessory-viewfinder.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1230k vs 461k dots).
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/1600s) to freeze action.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/2.8 vs f/3.4).
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 104g or 30 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (290 versus 250) out of a single battery charge.
  • Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
  • Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in April 2013).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the GR is the clear winner of the contest (16 : 5 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

SX510 05:16 GR

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon SX510 and the Ricoh GR place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Superzoom Camera and Best Prime Lens Compact Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the SX510 and the GR in practical situations. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

scroll hint
Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon SX510..+ +....4.5/54/5 Aug 2013 249ebay.com
2.
 
Ricoh GR5/5....79/1004.5/54.5/5 Apr 2013 799ebay.com
3.
 
Canon SX430........3.5/53.5/5 Jan 2017 299ebay.com
4.
 
Canon SX420..........3/5 Jan 2016 299ebay.com
5.
 
Canon SX410..o........ Feb 2015 279ebay.com
6.
 
Canon SX520..+....3.5/53.5/5 Jul 2014 399ebay.com
7.
 
Canon SX700..+ +....4/54/5 Feb 2014 349ebay.com
8.
 
Canon SX600..+....4/54/5 Jan 2014 249ebay.com
9.
 
Canon SX400..+........ Jul 2014 249ebay.com
10.
 
Canon SX603/5+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Sep 2014 549ebay.com
11.
 
Canon SX500..+ +....4/54/5 Aug 2012 329ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon Coolpix A4/5+..75/1004/54/5 Mar 2013 1,099ebay.com
13.
 
Panasonic GM13/5+..78/1005/54.5/5 Oct 2013 749ebay.com
14.
 
Ricoh GR II........4.5/54.5/5 Jun 2015 699ebay.com
15.
 
Sony NEX-5T........4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2013 699ebay.com
16.
 
Sony H200........3.5/53.5/5 Jan 2013 249ebay.com
17.
 
Sony NEX-5R........4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2012 749ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
padding

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

logo
Check SX510 offers at
ebay.com
logo
Check GR offers at
ebay.com

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

~
    loader
    ad

    Specifications: Canon SX510 vs Ricoh GR

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Canon SX510 Ricoh GR
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 24-720mm f/3.4-5.8 28mm f/2.8
    Launch Date August 2013 April 2013
    Launch Price USD 249 USD 799
    Sensor Specs Canon SX510 Ricoh GR
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format 1/2.3" Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 6.17 x 4.55 mm 23.7 x 15.6 mm
    Sensor Area 28.0735 mm2 369.72 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 7.7 mm 28.4 mm
    Crop Factor 5.6x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 15.9 Megapixels 16.1 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4608 x 3456 pixels 4928 x 3264 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 1.33 μm 4.79 μm
    Pixel Density 56.73 MP/cm2 4.35 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 1080/24p Video 1080/30p Video
    ISO Setting 80 - 3,200 ISO 100 - 25,600 ISO
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) .. 78
    DXO Color Depth (bits) .. 23.6
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) .. 13.5
    DXO Low Light (ISO) .. 972
    Screen Specs Canon SX510 Ricoh GR
    Viewfinder Type no viewfinder Viewfinder optional
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 461k dots 1230k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Canon SX510 Ricoh GR
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 3.8 shutter flaps/s 4 shutter flaps/s
    Time-Lapse Photographyno IntervalometerIntervalometer built-in
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Canon SX510 Ricoh GR
    External Flash no Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI micro HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in no Wifi
    Body Specs Canon SX510 Ricoh GR
    Battery Type Canon NB-6LH Ricoh DB-65
    Battery Life (CIPA)250 shots per charge290 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging no USB charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 104 x 70 x 80 mm
    (4.1 x 2.8 x 3.1 in)
    117 x 61 x 35 mm
    (4.6 x 2.4 x 1.4 in)
    Camera Weight 349 g (12.3 oz) 245 g (8.6 oz)
    logo
    Check SX510 offers at
    ebay.com
    logo
    Check GR offers at
    ebay.com

    Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.

    You are here Home  »  CAM-parator  »  Canon SX510 vs Ricoh GR