Ricoh GR IV Launched: Comprehensive Upgrade of the "Compact Legend", Small But Powerful

In the world of street photography, where moments come and go in a split second, where light and movement are constantly changing, compact, fast-responding cameras that produce high-quality images are always the top priority. And over the years, the name Ricoh GR has become a symbol of the fixed-lens compact camera line, trusted by millions of users from amateurs to professionals.

Recently, Ricoh officially announced that it is developing the GR IV – the next generation of the famous GR series. With many comprehensive upgrades from the lens, sensor to the processor, along with a series of other attractive features. Ricoh GR IV promises to continue the legacy that its "seniors" GR III and GR IIIx have left, while redefining users' expectations of a high-quality pocket camera.

1. Looking back at the GR line: A legacy of quality and mobility

To understand the appeal of the Ricoh GR IV, we need to look back at the evolution of the GR series – where each generation is associated with three core values: high image quality, fast response and superior mobility.

The GR series does not try to follow the megapixel race, super-telephoto zoom or market effects. Instead, Ricoh persistently pursues a minimalist design philosophy, focusing on the original, genuine shooting experience. This has made the GR a trusted companion for street photographers, photojournalists and those who love “effective minimalism”.

2. Ricoh GR IV: The return of the minimalist but powerful "warrior"

After years of staying true to the philosophy of “compact without compromising on quality”, Ricoh continues to strengthen its position in the premium compact camera segment by announcing the GR IV, the next generation camera in the legendary GR series. This is not just a simple successor to the GR III, but an important step forward to redefine the experience of street photography in the high-tech era.

The Ricoh GR IV was designed based on real-world user feedback: the desire for faster response, more detailed images, and more flexible operation without sacrificing the simplicity that is the GR series’ DNA. With this upgrade, Ricoh has equipped the GR IV with a trio of completely new hardware: sensor, lens, and image processor – creating a more powerful technical platform than ever before.

In particular, the GR IV will have a unique variant called the GR IV HDF. This version has a built-in Highlight Diffusion Filter: a highly creative feature that allows the creation of soft, blurry lighting effects right in the shot, without the need for post-production editing. This is the ideal choice for photographers pursuing artistic, gentle everyday photography styles, or who love the feeling of classic "film" photos.

Through the GR IV, Ricoh proves that it not only preserves the minimalist spirit but also knows how to develop it according to the needs of modern users.

3. Comprehensive upgrade from "heart" to "look"

In the GR IV generation, Ricoh has made a comprehensive overhaul of the sensor, lens and processor – the three most important factors that determine image quality and user experience. This not only makes the camera more technically powerful, but also delivers high performance in all real-life photographic situations.

3.1. 25.74MP APS-C sensor

The GR IV is equipped with a 25.74MP APS-C BSI CMOS sensor – a slight upgrade in megapixels compared to the GR III (24MP) but a big jump in performance. Thanks to BSI (Back-Side Illuminated) technology, the new sensor captures light more efficiently, significantly improving image quality in low-light conditions and expanding the dynamic range.

Notably, according to many sources, this could be the same type of sensor used in the Sony a6700 – a prominent model in the mid-range mirrorless line. This shows that Ricoh does not hesitate to invest in the most advanced technology in a pocket camera, helping users to take high-quality photos without needing a magnificent camera system.

3.2. 18.3mm f/2.8 lens

In addition to the sensor, the GR IV also features a brand new 18.3mm f/2.8 lens (equivalent to 28mm on full-frame), an ideal focal length for street photography, capturing everyday moments, environmental portraits or architecture.

This lens consists of 7 lenses in 5 groups, including 3 aspherical lenses to help control aberrations, reduce flare, ghosting and improve sharpness from the center to the edge of the image. This improvement not only makes the image sharper but also preserves color and contrast more faithfully.

A notable plus is the integrated ND 2EV filter that helps users take photos with large apertures even in strong light conditions, thereby creating a smooth background blur effect and more precise control of depth of field. This is a very necessary factor if you shoot during the day or want to create a soft background effect without having to use a separate filter.

3.3. New image processor

Completing the trio of upgrades is a new generation image processor whose official name has not been announced by Ricoh, but promises to deliver fast processing speed, effective noise reduction and improved color reproduction.

The highlight here is the near-instant response speed, allowing you to capture consecutive moments in quick succession, which is very important in street photography, where just a second of delay can mean missing the "golden" moment.

In addition, the new processor also helps improve in-camera JPEG image processing, smoother video recording at FullHD 60p resolution, and more effective support for complex lighting processing tasks.

4. Stable, compact and full of useful features

5-Axis Stabilization: Stability in the Palm of Your Hand

Another highlight of the GR IV is the 5-axis optical image stabilization (IBIS), a feature not found on the GR III. This system helps reduce camera shake when shooting handheld in low light conditions, or when recording moving videos. For a compact camera like the GR IV, the inclusion of IBIS is a bold, but necessary, move that expands the user's creative possibilities.

Shutter speed: Flexible in all conditions

The GR IV supports shutter speeds from 30 seconds to 1/4000 second, giving photographers the freedom to create anything from long nighttime exposures to capturing fleeting moments in the blink of an eye. At f/2.8, the maximum speed is 1/2500s, but can reach 1/4000s when the aperture is stopped down to f/5.6 or faster.

5. User Experience

53GB internal memory: Store comfortably, no worries about running out of space

Another practical improvement is the internal memory of up to 53GB, allowing users to take photos or record videos even if they forget to bring a memory card. Of course, the device still supports a Micro SD UHS-I card slot to expand the capacity when needed.

Sharp 3.0 inch LCD screen

The rear screen is a 3.0-inch LCD with 1,037,000 pixels, providing clear display, easy to observe even outdoors. Although it does not rotate or have a touch screen like many modern cameras, the GR IV's screen still meets the needs of manual adjustment, in the familiar minimalist spirit of the GR series.

Full HD 60p video recording: Not just for shooting

Although not focused on video recording, the GR IV still allows for Full HD video recording at up to 60 frames per second, enough to record smooth short videos for personal vlogs or photo notes on the go.

Size and weight: Fits in hand and pocket

Measuring 109.4 x 61.1 x 32.7mm and weighing just 262g (including battery and card), the Ricoh GR IV remains incredibly compact. This is one of the reasons why the GR series has always been called “pocket cameras” – it can follow you everywhere without being bulky or annoying.

6. GR IV HDF: Unique visual effects from the point diffusion filter

The Ricoh GR IV will have a special edition GR IV HDF, which integrates a highlight diffusion filter. HDF stands for Highlight Diffusion Filter, a mechanism that blurs the highlight to create a soft light effect, similar to classic lenses or lens diffusers.

This is especially suitable for portraits, street photography, and soft landscapes where emotion and atmosphere are more important than absolute sharpness. Having the GR IV HDF option shows that Ricoh is paying more attention to user groups who love expressive photography styles.

7. Launch plan and future direction of GR series

Ricoh confirmed that it will discontinue the GR III in July 2025, making way for the GR IV, which is expected to launch in the fall of 2025. Meanwhile, the GR IIIx – the 40mm focal length version – will continue to be produced and distributed.

This means that the GR IV will become the only “standard GR” model that represents the 28mm philosophy that suits the trend of street and everyday photography. The separation between the GR IV (28mm) and GR IIIx (40mm) also makes it easier for users to choose the camera that suits their personal style.

The Ricoh GR IV isn't for everyone, but it's ideal for those who pursue sophistication in every frame, love photography as a way of life, and capture the world in their own style.

With a new APS-C sensor, high-quality lens, 5-axis image stabilization, an inspiring HDF filter, and a compact design, the GR IV continues to affirm the GR series' position in the hearts of photo enthusiasts. Without the need for "huge" parameters or flashy effects, the GR IV still does the most important thing: helping you capture the world in the most authentic way with just one click.