A Complete Review of the Ricoh GR IV: The Ultimate Compact Camera for Street Photography (2026 Edition)
Introduction to the Ricoh GR IV
The Ricoh GR IV represents the next evolution of Ricoh’s legendary GR series — a camera line beloved by street photographers and minimalist shooters worldwide. Known for its discreet form, intuitive controls, and stunning image quality from an APS-C sensor, the GR series has long set the standard for premium compact cameras.
With the GR IV, Ricoh focuses on refinement rather than reinvention. It brings meaningful upgrades to stabilization, autofocus, storage, and image processing, all while keeping the hallmark pocketable design that photographers adore. In a market filled with feature-heavy cameras, the GR IV stands out as a pure photography tool designed for people who care about seeing and reacting to moments.
Design and Build Quality
The Ricoh GR IV continues the series’ minimalist design philosophy. Crafted with a magnesium alloy body, it feels robust yet remains incredibly lightweight and compact. At first glance, it appears nearly identical to the GR III — but the differences are in the details.
The deep grip offers a secure hold even during long shooting sessions. The matte finish reduces fingerprints, and the physical dials and customizable buttons allow photographers to adjust exposure quickly without diving into menus. Its understated appearance ensures you can shoot unnoticed — an essential trait for street and documentary photographers.
Despite its small form factor, the GR IV feels every bit like a professional tool. The build quality is solid, and it exudes reliability in both tactile control and ergonomic comfort.
Key Features and Specifications
25.7MP APS-C Sensor
At the heart of the Ricoh GR IV lies a 25.7-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, slightly higher in resolution than the 24.2MP unit in the GR III. This sensor captures rich, detailed images with excellent tonal depth and microcontrast. The increased resolution gives greater flexibility for cropping and large prints without sacrificing image fidelity.
Ricoh’s new image processor delivers improved color science, especially in skin tones and high dynamic range scenes. JPEGs come out crisp and vibrant, and RAW files hold significant flexibility for post-processing.
Fixed 18.3mm f/2.8 Lens
The Ricoh GR IV retains the legendary 18.3mm f/2.8 GR lens, equivalent to a 28mm focal length in full-frame terms — a classic field of view for street and travel photography. This lens has been optically refined to produce sharper corner-to-corner detail with reduced chromatic aberration and distortion.
It’s fast enough for most lighting conditions, and its rendering produces beautiful, natural colors with pleasing subject separation at close distances. While it’s not interchangeable, this fixed focal length encourages a more thoughtful and deliberate style of photography.
5-Axis Image Stabilization (IBIS)
A major upgrade for the GR IV is its 5-axis in-body image stabilization, offering up to six stops of shake reduction. This makes handheld shooting more stable, especially in dim environments where slower shutter speeds are required. It’s one of the most effective IBIS systems ever implemented in such a small camera.
Improved Autofocus System
Ricoh has refined the autofocus system to be faster and more accurate. The GR IV now features AI-powered subject detection, allowing it to track faces and moving subjects with greater precision. Autofocus is responsive even in low-light situations, reducing hunting and missed shots — a big improvement over the GR III.
Enhanced Internal Storage and Connectivity
Another standout feature is the 53GB of built-in internal memory, a rare inclusion in compact cameras. This means you can shoot extensively even without an SD card. The GR IV also supports microSD expansion, giving photographers flexibility for extended shooting.
Connectivity has been updated to Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth, making wireless transfers to smartphones faster and more stable. The Ricoh GR App allows instant image sharing, geotagging, and remote camera control — a practical feature for modern creators.
Full HD Video Recording
Although the GR IV is primarily a stills camera, it offers 1080p Full HD video recording for casual footage. While it lacks 4K capabilities, its video quality is respectable for quick clips and travel vlogs. However, Ricoh clearly positions this camera as a still photography specialist rather than a hybrid shooter.
Image Quality and Performance
The Ricoh GR IV continues to deliver the exceptional image quality that defines the GR series. The combination of the 25.7MP APS-C sensor and the sharp 28mm lens produces images that are crisp, vibrant, and full of life.
The color reproduction is particularly impressive — Ricoh’s color profiles render tones with a subtle cinematic feel. Dynamic range is excellent, allowing for well-preserved highlights and shadows even in challenging lighting conditions.
In low light, the camera performs admirably up to ISO 12,800, with fine grain and minimal color noise. Combined with IBIS, you can shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds with confidence.
Handling and User Experience
Shooting with the GR IV feels intuitive and rewarding. It powers on instantly, allowing photographers to capture spontaneous moments within seconds — a crucial advantage for street photography.
The touchscreen interface is responsive, and customization options abound. You can assign shortcuts to buttons for functions like ISO, film simulation, or focus modes. The Snap Focus feature remains a highlight, enabling you to preset focus distance for lightning-fast captures.
Battery life has also been modestly improved, now averaging 250–300 shots per charge, depending on usage and wireless connectivity.
Comparison: Ricoh GR IV vs Ricoh GR III
| Feature | Ricoh GR III | Ricoh GR IV |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 24.2MP APS-C | 25.7MP APS-C |
| IBIS | 3-axis | 5-axis (6 stops) |
| Storage | microSD only | 53GB internal + microSD |
| Autofocus | Basic | Enhanced AI detection |
| Battery Life | ~200 shots | ~250–300 shots |
| Video | 1080p | 1080p |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 4 | Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth |
While the GR IV doesn’t reinvent the wheel, the combination of stability, speed, and storage improvements makes it a much more polished and dependable companion for photographers on the move.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Exceptional image quality from a large APS-C sensor
Compact and discreet design — perfect for street photography
5-axis IBIS provides reliable stabilization
Upgraded autofocus performance with subject tracking
Large 53GB internal storage
Fast Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
Improved battery life and ergonomics
Cons:
No 4K video recording
No built-in viewfinder
Not weather-sealed
Slightly higher price than its predecessor
Who Is the Ricoh GR IV For?
The GR IV is designed for photographers who value simplicity, image quality, and portability. It appeals to:
Street photographers who want a stealthy, high-quality camera that fits in a pocket.
Travelers and documentarians seeking DSLR-level results without heavy gear.
Everyday creatives who want a reliable daily-carry camera for capturing spontaneous moments.
Its discreet nature, fast response, and sharp output make it one of the best choices for photographers who prefer substance over gimmicks.
Pricing and Availability
As of early 2026, the Ricoh GR IV retails around €1,349 (approximately $1,450 USD). A variant called the GR IV HDF, priced slightly higher at €1,405, includes a Highlight Diffusion Filter for creative rendering. The GR IV Monochrome, dedicated to black-and-white photography, is priced at approximately €1,799.
 |
| see it on Amazon |
All models are available through Ricoh’s official website and major camera retailers worldwide.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Ricoh GR IV?
The Ricoh GR IV doesn’t aim to be flashy — it aims to be perfect at what it does best. With its enhanced stabilization, improved autofocus, larger storage, and refined image processing, it’s easily the most capable GR camera yet.
For photographers who live and breathe street and travel photography, there’s simply nothing else like it. It combines portability, power, and precision in a form factor that encourages creativity. If you value the joy of pure photography over technical overload, the Ricoh GR IV is absolutely worth it.
External Link:
Visit the Official Ricoh GR IV Page for detailed specifications and sample images.