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Ricoh GR IV Launches

The wait is over.

The Ricoh GR IV launches in August 2025, as a major update to the highly popular line-up, and this really is a significant launch for one of the most wanted compact cameras in recent years. The fourth generation follows on from the success of the GR III and IIIx, which date way back to March 2019 and September 2021 respectively. These were so sought-after that they are still difficult to find even several years after launch.

This next-gen. release promises a host of improvements that will appeal to long-time fans as well as brand new users. The GR IV keeps a large APS-C sensor and a fixed 28mm equivalent lens in a truly pocketable body, but virtually everything inside and out has been updated for this release.

Point and shoot cameras have seen a resurgence in the last few years, especially among street, travel and everyday creators who want a minimalist, always-on-you camera, and the GR IV continues this trend with a body design that is even slimmer than the previous gen.

Our first look review includes a handful of photos, a comparison table with the GR III, and more so you can see exactly what’s new and decide if this will become your new goto compact camera from Ricoh.

Ricoh GR IV Release Date

Having been announced on 22 May 2025, the new Ricoh GR IV was finally released on 20th August 2025, which is getting on for six years since the previous model. The GR IV price is £1199.00 which is good for the tech it now packs, and compares relatively well against the £949.00 for the 3rd generation compact.

New Sensor and GR Engine 7 Processor

At the heart of the GR IV is a newly developed back-illuminated APS-C CMOS sensor with approximately 25.74 effective megapixels. While the resolution sees a modest increase over the GR III, more important changes lie in how the sensor handles light and noise. The move to a back-illuminated CMOS improves light-gathering, helping produce cleaner, more detailed results, especially in low-light.

Image data is processed by the updated GR Engine 7, which is faster and more capable than previous versions. Ricoh has paired this with its dedicated accelerator unit, which optimises high signal-to-noise ratio output from the sensor before it even reaches the main processor. The result is more refined tonal gradation, improved dynamic range, and better high ISO performance.

The camera supports ISO 204800, and users can still manually configure ISO limits, minimum shutter speed and auto behaviour to get the most out of semi-auto shooting.

Together, the new sensor and Engine provide more headroom for editing, smoother transitions between tones, and cleaner results straight out of camera, whether shooting RAW (14-bit DNG) or JPEG.

Speed and AF improvements

One of the noticeable upgrades is how much quicker focusing is. Ricoh has kept the hybrid AF system, which has been refined with better low-light performance and improved tracking. 

The camera’s high-speed lens driving mechanism and the image sensor’s high-speed data readout also deliver faster focusing and improve autofocus precision.Additionally the image-plane phase-matching AF system has been optimised to greatly improve the GR IV’s overall AF performance. 

The new lens barrel and start-up sequence also help with speed. The camera powers on in just 0.6 seconds now, which makes a big difference when looking to catch a quick shot. Switching into macro mode is faster too, so you’re less likely to miss a moment just waiting for the lens to do its thing.

Improved Image Stabilisation

Stabilisation has been upgraded and the GR IV now offers 5-axis sensor-shift SR (Shake Reduction) with up to 6 stops of compensation in the centre of the frame, which is 2 stops more than the GR III. This might not sound huge, but in practice it’s a real benefit when shooting handheld in low light or with slower shutter speeds.

All of this makes the GR IV feel more responsive, quicker, and more solid when it comes to grabbing spontaneous images, which is a big part of the shooting experience with a compact camera that you can have on you all of the time.

Refined Body Design with Better Handling

Although the GR IV looks similar, Ricoh’s done quite a bit of work on the body to improve how it feels in use. It’s slightly slimmer than the GR III overall, and the grip has been redesigned, giving your thumb a bit more to hold onto. This helps usability, especially when shooting one-handed.

Button layout has been tweaked, and the ADJ lever is now a dial, which makes navigating settings quicker once you get used to it. You also gain the ability to assign functions to the front and rear dials, as well as the exposure comp button.

The magnesium alloy body is similar to the previous one, so you get the same solid build, even though it weighs in at just 262g with the battery and card in. The GR IV keeps a minimalist, go-anywhere feel, but it’s a bit more refined, and more responsive in use.

New Connectivity and GR WORLD App

Ricoh has updated the camera with better wireless connectivity, which makes it easier to share photos or remotely control the camera. You get both Bluetooth 5.3 and dual-band Wi-Fi, which is an improvement from the GR III. This connection is quicker and more stable, with fewer dropouts.

The GR WORLD app is also new, and is available for both Android and iOS. It replaces the old Image Sync app and is made for the GR series. The app lets you transfer photos to your phone, use remote live view, trigger the shutter, and tag your shots with GPS location data from your device.

If you’re someone who likes to share straight from the camera or back things up on the go, this update definitely helps. You can even edit image files in-camera ready to share, adjusting exposure, white balance, colour profiles and more, without needing a laptop or external app.

Creative Shooting Modes for Everyday Storytelling

One of the best things about the GR IV is how much creative flexibility it gives you from a simple point and shoot design. Once you start exploring the shooting modes and colour options, there’s a lot more to play with than you might expect.

You’ve got all the usual exposure modes, including Program AE, Aperture and Shutter Priority, Manual, and full Auto, but Ricoh has added a new Snap Distance Priority AE mode, which is brilliant for street and candid shooting. It sets exposure based on a fixed subject distance and depth of field, making it easier to pre-visualise shots and work quickly without hunting for focus.

There’s also an Image Control system, which now includes two new Cinema modes. These let you create nostalgic, film-inspired looks with soft green or yellow tones and grain, and you can adjust strength and grain size to match the feel you’re going for. Alongside the existing monochrome and film-style profiles like Positive Film and Bleach Bypass, there’s plenty of scope to create uniform styles in-camera, without needing to edit later.

Ricoh GR III Vs IV Specs Comparison

The table below compares key specifications between the Ricoh GR III Vs IV. While the shooting experience is similar, there are clear updates to resolution, autofocus, stabilisation, connectivity and usability, making this by far the most capable GR camera ever.

The Ricoh GR IV is a big step up for such a small camera. It keeps the essence of what made the GR III so popular while improving almost every area, from autofocus speed and stabilisation to connectivity, battery life and overall handling.

For anyone used to shooting on a smartphone, the leap in image quality is immediate. You’re shooting with a large APS-C sized sensor, a custom-built lens, and the kind of image controls and RAW flexibility that don’t exist on a phone. Yet it still slips into a jacket pocket and lets you shoot without unwanted attention when you’re out and about.

Browse and order the Ricoh GR IV Compact Camera today and see where this ultra compact point and shoot takes your creativity.

If you’re thinking about upgrading, remember you can trade in your current gear for a fast, fair quote and put the value towards the GR IV.

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By Nick Dautlich on 20/08/2025

Nick Dautlich

Senior Content Writer and Product Reviewer

Nick Dautlich is the Senior Content Writer and Product Reviewer at Park Cameras, with over 15 years of photography experience. A Sony Imaging Professional and expert reviewer, Nick has worked with major brands such as Canon, Sony and Nikon. His work is also featured on Vanguard World UK’s website, Capture Landscapes, and Shutter Evolve. Nick’s photography includes National Trust projects and magazine covers and he is passionate about landscapes and storytelling. Nick also enjoys hiking and teaching his children about nature. Learn more on his profile page.