The long-anticipated Ricoh GR IV compact is now confirmed and is due to be announced in the last quarter of 2025. The GR series has been a long-term success story for the Japanese manufacturer, and the GR I, GR II and GR III have become established as the quiet, sensible and discreet choice among experienced photographers.
Ricoh has confirmed the development of the new model and that they will offer an HDF version, with built-in highlight diffusion filter. The images in the release look very similar to the current GR III, but with a throwback to the GR II.
New lens, new sensor for Ricoh GR IV
The cameras will feature a new lens, APS-C sensor and processor. Ricoh will equip the GR IV with a 25.74 megapixel sensor, believed to be similar to that used in Sony’s a6700.
The design of the successful camera body, unsurprisingly, will not change dramatically. The company rightly senses that customers want more of the same — a lightweight pocket camera that is capable of outstanding results. The photographs accompanying the announcement show what appears to be an identical body to that of the GR III.
However, there is one major difference at the back — the reappearance of the vertical toggle switch above the Play button. This was a feature of the GR I, employed to adjust exposure compensation, and was strongly criticised because it was far too easy to adjust accidentally when grasping the camera.
This will be considered a retrograde step by many potential owners, which could influence them to stick with the GR II. We can assume Ricoh is bringing it back in response to user requests; there was some controversy over its demise on the GR II, with some owners unhappy.
The new 18.3mm (28mm equivalent) fixed lens with the widest aperture of f/2.8 will have seven elements in five groups, three of them aspherical. The camera will include sensor-shift 5-axis stabilisation, a 1/4000s shutter and a 2-stop ND filter. The 3in LCD screen will feature 1.037 million dots, while, as previously, there will be no electronic viewfinder (optical viewfinders are available as an option).
GRIIIx continues for now
Ricoh has not mentioned in their announcement what they plan to do in terms of replacing the GRIIIx with a 40mm lens. We can assume an uprated version will be introduced sometime after the launch of the 28mm camera. However, Ricoh confirms that GRIII production will end in July and the successor will arrive “in the autumn of 2025”. The GRIIIx model continues in production for now.
Ricoh GR IV provisional specification
More on the Ricoh GR Series
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Still needs a viewfinder like the film original and a better battery life, but hey, if these things don’t bother you. They are essential upgrades for me.
I’ve given up on the idea of an integral viewfinder. It would tarnish the GR’s credentials as the ultra pocket camera. I’ve tried the two Ricoh OVFs and don’t gel with them.
However, a hotshoe and accessory EVF would be welcome. That heads my wish list.
Interesting that you don’t get along with the OVFs. My GR1V is tiny even with the built- in viewfinder. Not only that, but there is space for a roll of film both for the film loading area and the take up area plus a motor for pre-winding and rewinding the film. The digital version only needs the sensor and a card slot. Seems to me they could manage it with a small re-design.
I find the optical finder on the film GR’s works a treat, even for close-up and using it avoids draining the small capacity battery through extensive back screen use on digital versions.
I could go along with the idea of a hotshoe and accessory EVF but I suspect the price would be high.
I have never used this camera. I tried both OVFs on the GR digital and eventually purchased the small 28mm unit. It does not make the camera unwieldy, although it has a tendency to slip off unexpectedly and can easily be lost.
For zone (snap) focus it is useful, but not so much when using AF for obvious reasons.
The increased internal memory and image stabilization is very welcome. Changing the lens is a bit of a risk IMO as the current one is very good. Leaving the number of MP pretty much unchanged is a bit surprising to me if the camera needs to last another 6 years or so. All in al, if you are happy with the GR III I see very little reason for upgrading.
I’ll be keeping an eye on this once it launches. I’m a delighted owner of the GR3x which is incredible for such a small package. I won’t be swapping my Q3 28 for a GR4 any time soon, but a GR4x would be intriguing. I can’t really see if it would be a significant enough improvement over the GR3x to justify the upgrade though.
I think I agree. The updates sound as though they are worth having. But I see nothing to make me rush to trade in my GR III. And the reappearance of that vulnerable exposure compensation rocker on the outside top corner (where the thumb goes) is a bad move.
Glad we’re all different.
The lack of the rocker switch and the new silly little battery was exactly why I never swapped my GR for the GRiii.
My control of the camera is based on that rocker and has been since I bought my first GRDigital iv. To me the control layout was already perfect and should have been left alone, so I’m delighted they brought it back.
I probably still won’t buy one, my GR is going great guns after a recent sensor clean.
However if they bought out a GR Monochrom…
Interesting. I was aware that there had been a difference in opinion on the placing of the EV rocker on the GR II. I was one who hated it sitting there at the top corner. I assumed Ricoh had listened and removed it from the GR III. But it now looks like the change did produce a negative response from users.
If I do upgrade to the IV, I suppose I will have to get used to it. Do you not find that it is too easy to knock out if setting simply by holding the camera?