Smartphones have turned everyone into a photographer, with cameras that pack more power than ever—stunning low-light shots, AI-enhanced editing, and lenses that zoom like nobody’s business. Yet, yesterday’s announcement of the Ricoh GR IV, a compact camera with a fixed lens, has street photographers and enthusiasts practically dancing in the streets.
The Ricoh GR IV, slated for a fall 2025 release, sticks to its roots as a pocket-friendly champ, packing a new 26-megapixel APS-C sensor, a revamped 28mm-equivalent f/2.8 lens, and a beefy new imaging engine. “The new lens patent makes mention of four separate lens designs that all feature an image circle and back focus that align with what we’d expect from an APC-C compact camera,” notes NotebookCheck.net, hinting at potential innovations like a brighter f/2.39 lens option. It’s not trying to outdo your iPhone’s zoom or video chops—it’s about capturing moments with a deliberate, tactile feel that smartphones can’t replicate.
- 8K30fps 360° Video with Dual 1/1.28" Sensors: Capture stunning detail with dual 1/1.28" sensors shooting up to 8K30fps. Film epic adventures,...
- Triple AI Chip Design, Better Low Light: Shoot confidently even in challenging lighting. X5’s triple AI chip design powers advanced noise reduction...
- Invisible Selfie Stick: Create impossible third-person views with no selfie stick in sight! Capture everything in 360°, then choose your angles later...
“Ricoh has said it’s developing a GR IV and that the camera will arrive in late 2025. Design samples will be on show in Japan and China at the end of this month,” notes Digital Photography Review. This announcement, paired with Ricoh’s promise of a variant with a Highlight Diffusion Filter (HDF) for softer, cinematic images post-winter 2025, signals a commitment to creative flexibility without straying from the series’ roots.
What sets the GR IV apart in a world where smartphones dominate? It’s the philosophy. Ricoh isn’t chasing the spec wars or trying to be a jack-of-all-trades. The GR IV is a street photographer’s dream, built for quick, instinctive shots with a fixed lens that forces you to move your feet rather than zoom. Its compact body—barely bigger than a deck of cards—means you can carry it everywhere, blending into the crowd without screaming “photographer.” The lack of a viewfinder, relying instead on a 3-inch touchscreen, keeps things minimalist, though some wish for a tilting screen to make low-angle shots easier.
“In a pretty bare-bones press release accompanied by a couple of pictures and detailed specs, Ricoh surprise announced that its long-awaited GR IV camera will launch this fall,” writes Antonio G. Di Benedetto at The Verge, capturing the understated excitement of the reveal. The GR IV’s design modifications, such as a redesigned button layout and the removal of the spinning dial around the directional pad, show Ricoh’s attention to refining the user experience without overcomplicating things.
Smartphones, for all their brilliance, often feel like they’re doing the work for you. The GR IV, by contrast, puts you in the driver’s seat. Its “snap focus” system, a hallmark of the series, lets you preset a focus distance for near-instant shots, perfect for capturing fleeting street scenes. Photographers love this control, which feels like an extension of their intuition.
The GR IIIx retails around $1,049, and photographers hope the GR IV stays in that ballpark, offering premium quality without breaking the bank. For those who value a dedicated camera over a smartphone’s convenience, this makes the GR IV an attractive option.
[Source]
