Good news for fans of small, powerful cameras: Ricoh has just announced the upcoming GR IV, set to launch in Autumn 2025. Building on the popular GR III, this new model keeps the pocket-friendly design and fixed 28mm lens but packs in some notable improvements that street photographers and everyday shooters will appreciate. Think sharper images, smoother stabilization, and way more built-in storage.
Contents
What’s New and Improved?
While the GR IV looks very similar to its predecessor on the outside, Ricoh has made some key upgrades under the hood.
Sharper Sensor and Better Low Light
The sensor gets a bump from 24 megapixels to a slightly higher 26 megapixels. This means you get a little extra detail in your photos. Even more exciting is the increased ISO range, now reaching a high of 204,800. This should make shooting in dim light much more flexible, letting you capture shots without needing a flash as often.
The built-in lens is still a bright f/2.8 with a 28mm-equivalent view, but Ricoh says it’s a new design with an extra element to help improve image quality and correct for common lens issues.
Smoother Shots and Smarter Focus
Stabilization is getting a significant boost, moving from 3-axis to 5-axis in-body image stabilization. This is a big win for handheld shooting, helping reduce blur from camera shake, especially in challenging conditions or at slower shutter speeds.
Autofocus is also getting smarter with the addition of face and eye detection. This is a feature many modern cameras have, and its inclusion here means the GR IV should be much better at locking onto subjects for sharp portraits or quick street shots.
Front view of the Ricoh GR IV compact camera
Massive Storage Upgrade (and a Small Catch)
Here’s a big one: The GR IV comes with a generous 53GB of usable built-in storage. That’s a huge jump from the 2GB found in the GR III. You can shoot a lot more photos and videos before needing to offload files.
The small catch? The camera is switching from full-size SD cards to smaller microSD cards. While microSD is common in phones and drones, you might need a new card reader if you’re used to standard SD.
The Design: Familiar Feel, Subtle Tweaks
From the press photos, the GR IV maintains the classic, understated look of the GR III and GR IIIx. It keeps the built-in ND filter (great for bright sunny days or using wider apertures) and the simple rear LCD for framing shots – there’s still no electronic or optical viewfinder.
Looking closely, the buttons seem to be slightly redesigned. The spinning dial around the four-way control pad appears gone, and the “ADJ” thumb wheel might be a fully rotating dial now, which could make adjustments feel smoother.
Back and left side view of the Ricoh GR IV camera showing controls and screen
When Can You Get It?
Ricoh expects the GR IV to launch in the Autumn of 2025. A version with the special Highlight Diffusion Filter (HDF), which gives photos a softer, almost film-like glow, is planned to follow “after winter 2025.”
With the new model on the horizon, Ricoh has confirmed the GR III is scheduled to be discontinued in July, while the GR IIIx (with its tighter 40mm equivalent lens) will continue to be available for the time being.
Who is This Camera For?
The Ricoh GR series has earned a dedicated following, especially among street photographers who love its tiny size, discreet look, and excellent image quality. Compared to larger or more expensive options like a Fujifilm X100 or Leica Q, the GR cameras offer a compelling balance of performance and portability.
The GR IV looks set to continue this legacy, adding modern features like better stabilization, autofocus, and that huge jump in internal storage, making it an even more capable tool for capturing life on the go. While pricing hasn’t been announced yet, it’s definitely a camera to watch in 2025.
