The latest version of my favorite travel camera, Ricoh, has been announced.

The superb GR III pocket camera is updated in a number of significant ways by the GR IV.

Ricoh GR IV

Many of the older features of the GR III appear to be improved upon by the new GR IV.
Ricoh
Ricoh has released the GR IV, an upgraded version of its superb, small (and very old) GR III, in response to the growing popularity of pocket cameras. It is a pocket-sized fixed-lens camera with a huge APS-C image sensor that is far larger than those used in phones. Generally speaking, larger image sensors provide higher-quality images than smaller ones.

The GR III is the greatest point-and-shoot camera for traveling, in my opinion. Compared to the majority of the other compact cameras I tried, it produced superior photographs, particularly in low light. But everything seemed quite antiquated. On paper, at least, the new GR IV appears to improve upon many of the older features of the GR III while retaining the great majority of the camera. In general, that’s a positive thing.

Large sensor, small camera

Ricoh GR IV
25.7-megapixel Ricoh photos (6,192×4,128)
18.3mm f/2.8 lens (equal to 28mm in 35mm)
1080p/60 video
5-axis picture stabilization
quicker starting time (supposedly 0.6 seconds) than earlier GR cameras
Two-stop integrated ND filter
Internal storage of 53GB (microSD included)
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 5.3
The GR IV inherits the two advantages of the GR III and its predecessors: It has a large picture sensor and is a very compact camera. The body measures 4.3 by 2.4 by 1.3 inches, making it shorter but thicker than a smartphone and around the same breadth. Most pockets should be able to accommodate it. The GR III is somewhat larger than the IV.

Once more, a new APS-C-sized image sensor is included; yet, it is the same size and essentially has the same resolution as the GR III. According to Ricoh, it offers “higher sensitivity and reduced noise” than the GR III’s sensor. Since the GR IV has a fixed, wide-angle lens, it would have been fantastic to have a higher-resolution sensor that would have allowed for greater information when cutting in on a picture.

Ricoh GR IV

Ricoh
With a focal length of 18.3mm (or 28mm), that lens is a completely unique design. Both that and its f2.8 aperture are comparable to the GR III. This is comparable to the field of vision of the primary cameras on the majority of smartphones, although it is on the narrower end of what is often referred to as a wide-angle lens. According to Ricoh, the glass components of the lens provide “edge-to-edge sharpness.”

To lessen blur with higher shutter speeds, the GR IV features 5-axis shaking reduction, up from 3-axis on the GR III. According to Ricoh, this provides up to six stabilizing stops. The GR IV may perform very well in low light because to this and the image sensor’s increased sensitivity.

Ricoh GR IV Ricoh

Ricoh has revealed a number of accessories in conjunction with the release of the GR IV, chief among them being a small flash that attaches to the camera via the hot shoe. Retro digital cameras and its style are making a comeback after years of devices attempting to do away with flashes. There will also be some cosmetic options, such as a metal hot shoe cover, a lens adapter to match the GW-4 wide conversion lens that is presently available for the GR III, and a wrist strap (seen in the top image).

Is it better to wait for the GR IV?

Ricoh GR IV
Ricoh
The GR IV changes appear to be rather minor on paper. The focal length, resolution, and general design are all same. There is undoubtedly a “if ain’t broke, don’t fix it” component to all of that, though. The GR III produced excellent photographs for a pocket-sized camera. Having the GR III with you was really simple, and it’s frequently stated that the best camera is the one you have with you.

The stabilizer, image sensor, and new lens might all be significant improvements. Until I try the GR IV, which should happen next month when it releases, I won’t know. I’m a little let down that the resolution isn’t higher. It’s not a big thing, but being able to crop in on the 40MP photos has been useful since I’ve been using a fixed-lens camera as my primary camera for a few months. However, I would often just utilize my Pixel 9 Pro’s telephoto if I needed to take a picture of something far away.

I would advise you to wait a few weeks if you are interested in a GR camera. Either the older, and probably less expensive, GR III will be the superior choice, or the GR IV will be a worthy update and worth purchasing, or it will just be a slight improvement. For $1,500, the Ricoh GR IV will go on sale in mid-September.

Disclaimer

 This article is for informational purposes only. Product details, prices, and release dates are based on information available at the time of writing and may change. All product names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. The views expressed here reflect personal opinions and are not endorsements.