Ricoh has officially announced that its eagerly awaited GR IV camera will launch in autumn 2025. The news came through a straightforward press release that included a few images and a complete list of specifications. If you’ve been following the GR series, you’ll notice the GR IV keeps much of what made the GR III popular while adding some exciting upgrades to enhance your photography experience.
The design remains familiar but refined
At first glance, the GR IV looks almost identical to the previous GR III and GR IIIx models. The oval-shaped shutter button, the on/off switch, and the mode dial are still on top of the camera. The back layout also remains similar, with the controls placed to the right of the screen. However, some noticeable changes make the camera more user-friendly.
One of the biggest differences is the redesigned control layout. Ricoh has removed the spinning dial that used to surround the four-way directional pad. The adjustment wheel marked “ADJ” may now be a fully rotating dial instead of the previous side-to-side toggle. This change could make adjustments quicker and more comfortable while shooting.
As before, the GR IV does not include an electronic or optical viewfinder. Instead, you’ll frame your photos and videos using the rear LCD screen, keeping the design compact and simple—perfect for street photography.
Improved features and performance
The GR IV still uses a 28mm-equivalent f/2.8 lens, but this time, it has a new seven-element design, including an extra aspherical element. This should give you better image quality and more accurate photo corrections.
The built-in ND (neutral density) filter has returned, just like in the GR III. Thanks to a new APS-C sensor, you’ll also be happy to hear that the camera’s resolution has been increased slightly—from 24 to 26 megapixels. For low-light photography, the ISO range now reaches an impressive 204,800.
Another notable upgrade is the switch from three-axis to five-axis image stabilisation. This should help reduce camera shake even more, especially when shooting handheld or in challenging lighting conditions. Autofocus has also been improved with face and eye detection, allowing you to lock onto subjects more accurately.
Ricoh has increased the internal storage to 53GB, a huge jump from the GR III’s 2GB. However, the camera now uses microSD cards instead of the full-size SD cards in earlier models. While this may be a minor inconvenience for some, the extra onboard space could compensate for it.
Release plans and future updates
Ricoh plans to release the GR IV in autumn 2025, though no exact date or price has been shared yet. A second version of the camera—with a Highlight Diffusion Filter (HDF)—will be available sometime after winter 2025.
In the same announcement, Ricoh confirmed that the GR III will be discontinued in July 2025. However, the GR IIIx will continue to be available at the time.
The GR series has earned a loyal following, especially among street photographers who value portability and solid image quality at a more reasonable price compared to rivals like the Fujifilm X100 or Leica Q. With the GR IV, Ricoh looks set to keep its place in the hands of serious photographers who want a compact camera with serious capabilities.
