Ricoh is promoting it as "the ultimate snap shooter", and from the specs it looks like a significant upgrade over the GR III and GR IIIx. It keeps the same slim, pocket-friendly design the series is known for, while adding meaningful improvements under the hood.
What’s new and improved:
• New 25.7MP BSI APS-C sensor with GR Engine 7 → faster startup, better low-light performance, cleaner files, and improved high ISO.
• Completely redesigned 28mm f/2.8 lens → sharper wide open, lighter, and quicker to focus. It still keeps Macro mode and the built-in ND filter.
• Autofocus → faster response with better face/eye detect, improved tracking, and “Full Press Snap” for instant preset focus distance (perfect for street shooting).
• In-body stabilization → now 5-axis with up to 6 stops of shake reduction (the GR III had 3-axis).
• Shooting features → new Snap Distance Priority AE mode, unlimited multi-exposures, AA filter simulation option, and updated Image Control modes (including a new Cinema look).
• Body and handling → slimmer magnesium build, updated controls, USB-C charging, and a brighter 3.0” LCD touchscreen.
• Battery and storage → new DB-120 battery with better life (~250 shots), plus 53GB built-in memory (way more than before) and microSD support.
• Connectivity → Bluetooth + Wi-Fi with the new GR WORLD app for wireless transfer, location tagging, and remote control.
Accessories:
• A new GF-2 TTL flash that’s compact in height but long in width ($120, guide number 3).
• Dual battery charger
• GA-3 adapter ring for filters and conversion lenses
Price is $1,500 at B&H. The GR series used to be the affordable choice, so the price feels steep, but the updates look meaningful...sharper optics, better AF, stronger stabilization, bigger battery, more memory, and all in the same pocketable package.
I think Ricoh packed quite a bit into this one.
Key Features
25.7MP APS-C BSI CMOS Sensor
New 28mm f/2.8 Lens (Full-Frame Equiv.)
Improved AF and Low-Light Focusing
5-Axis 6-Stop Shake Reduction System
3.0" 1.04m-Dot Touchscreen LCD
53GB Built-In Memory & microSD Card Slot
Full HD 1080/60p Video Recording
Snap Distance Priority & Focus Limiter
35mm and 50mm Focal Length Crop Modes
GR WORLD App for Updates and Control
Not surprising but no WR, which will disappoint many. Given my GRIII is on semi-permanent loan with my ex-GF because she dropped her GRII in a toilet, I get why people want it.
Otherwise, basically updates to the sensor (though same 25 megapixel-ish range), lens, processing, IBIS, which is all good. Likely addresses other weaknesses, namely AF, high ISO performance, which were behind the market.
Nice to see they added 4:3 and 16:9 to the aspect ratios.
Back to the rocker switch and no more annoying dial control on the back - so hybrid controls from GRII and GRIII. No flash.
Switch to micro-SD, which matters less due to upping internal memory to 50-some gigabytes. Updates to transferring data off camera (which I think they're rolling out to all GR out now even). I personally don't think the micro-SD is a huge deal given the internal memory. TBD on battery life - wonder if there are updates here.
New "SN" mode on the mode dial. No idea what that is.
Takes the same accessories as the current GRIII.
Otherwise, it's coming in the fall.
That's about it from what I can tell as to what's relevant. I'm excited as these updates (really I just want more high ISO performance). Maybe some more megapixels to allow for better crop down to 35mm would have been nice, but that was never a big deal for me.
It's more if there are software updates that I'm curious about. E.g., might there be multiple snap focus distances -- or being able to use the rocker switch to change manual focus distances easily, that'd be cool (they have to do this, given they dropped the dial, but can we adjust the granularity?). Or even digital telephoto or aspect ratio changes. But all of that we won't know until much later, and who knows if we'll get.
Of course a new model is coming soonish - predictable given I just bought the current GR III less than a month ago when I randomly found it in stock at B&H! Given the updated features, I'm happy with the old model though I'm sure the improved 5 axis IS and increased max ISO likely will result in much better low light performance. Not too crazy about the loss of SD card compatibility. It is interesting that they are going with a similar MP sensor (25 vs 24) vs the 40MP APS sensor (probably for better high ISO performance). I think many were expecting the updated GR to have the 40MP sensor or even a full frame sensor. The current lens is so amazing that it's difficult to imagine an updated version performing better in regards to resolving capability. Perhaps it will have less natural vignetting. I once owned an earlier GR with the rocker switch which I think is preferable.
Lifelong GR shooter here. I will buy, but am not blown away. Looks like a 'better' version of the GR3 - looking forward to see how much better.
I'm still excited by the image quality of the pocketable GR3, although I am (also) tempted by the upcoming the new Voigtlander 28mm f/2 APO-Lanthar.
Here is a summary of one of the Ricoh ambassadors:
What’s New in the Ricoh GR IV?
• All-new 28mm f/2.8 lens with 7 elements in 5 groups (3 aspherical)
• Upgraded sensor (same MP, improved image quality)
• New image processor for faster performance
• 5-axis IBIS (image stabilization)
• 53GB internal memory
• New SNAP mode on mode dial
• Exposure compensation button returns
• microSD instead of SD (likely to make space for a larger battery)
• New aspect ratios: 3:2, 4:3, 16:9, and 1:1
• Advanced wireless features + all-new GR WORLD app
• HDF (Highlight Diffusion Filter) version teased for early 2026
Pass. A number of nice refinements, but the return of the rocker switch is a deal killer for me. I had a GRII long ago, and found myself constantly hitting the rocker switch accidentally. I finally gave up on the camera and sold it. When the GRIII came out the back panel design was a game changer, and it is a pleasure [for me] to use. I’ve read that some find a return to the rocker switch exciting. To each their own.
I find it interesting that Ricoh would announce a camera that is “under development”. Why such an early announcement? Are they feeling competitive pressure and feel they must generate a little buzz?
And why the announcement now, on the eve of Fuji’s Half-frame announcement?
That’s it? Seriously underwhelming. The apologists are out in droves, saying that adding weather sealing or tilt screens mean “it’s not the same camera.” Yes, exactly. We want it to be different. They spent 6 years making pretty much the same camera. 😂
SlowDriver wrote:
Not significantly increasing the number of MP is a bit of a head-scratcher to me if the camera needs to last another 6 years...
I suspect Ricoh has found that most of their GR users favor low light performance and speed over higher MP's. Even if the 40 MP sensor were to perform similarly to the new 25 MP sensor in regards to noise once downsized to similar output sizes (not sure if that would prove to be the case), there is no doubt that processing the higher MP images would slow the camera down vs the lower MP images.
I sold all my DSLR last year and am loving the GRiii HDF. Bought it for the size and weight and image quality. Love it for the endless tinkering of recipes. Will I get the IV — the announcement does nothing for me either way. In theory WR is a big deal but when needed I get by with the GA-1 adapter and a clear filter and lens cap. When the camera is in my pocket a JJC metal lens cover keeps dust out. What WOULD tip the scale is faster better more consistent AF. Will a faster better engine mean better AF? If yes, I’m in, but for now I’m a “wait and see.”
What I was hoping for was the possibility to use an external EVF. But I assume it‘s still just the optical one that‘s possible, right? I once was told that the hot shoe of the Ricoh GR III doesn‘t support EVFs. So no changes in sight, right?
I'm glad they aren't reinventing. Small improvements that are welcome but not enough to HAVE to sell the GRIII for one. Ricoh has always updated like this. No one should be shocked if they know the GR line.
Im all for small improvements if it means faster workflow. I understand why the rocker was reintroduced and middle dial removed which improves navigation and handling imo.
Where the gr3 breaks down compared to FF is low iso and noise. Im hoping that's much been improved
The other irk with the gr3 is the black out. I hope one day there'll be blackout free shooting, but I doubt it'll be Gr4
Dont be swayed getting a Fuji half or anolgue digital hipster camera. The GR is the OG digital compact king!
