Ricoh has officially announced the new GR IV compact camera. The camera is currently still under development and is due to be launched in the fall of 2025. The GR series is considered to be very popular and successful. At the heart of the GR IV is a newly developed APS-C CMOS sensor with around 25.7 megapixels, which offers a slightly higher resolution than its predecessor. It is supplied with a new image processor.
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The revised lens consists of seven lens elements in five groups, previously there were six lens elements in four groups. The focal length of the new lens is 18.3 millimeters, which corresponds to around 28 millimeters in 35 mm format. This means that the focal length of the lens remains unchanged compared to the Ricoh GR III – It is a classic wide-angle lens for reportage, travel and street photography. The speed also remains the same with an aperture of f/2.8.
Focus and functions for snapshots
The hybrid autofocus, which uses both phase and contrast detection, should also ensure precise focusing for fast shots. However, this function was already available in the previous model. With the "Full Press Snap" mode, shots can be taken with a single press, whereby the focus is set to a preset distance. Face detection is also integrated. The close-up range in macro mode starts at six centimeters, which was already the case with the Ricoh GR III.
The camera offers numerous recording formats, including raw files in DNG format as well as JPEGs with various aspect ratios and resolutions. The GR IV records videos in Full HD at a maximum of 60 frames per second. Nothing has changed here compared to the previous model, although the GR series is hardly aimed at video-savvy photographers anyway.
Ricoh remains true to its design concept with the GR IV. Little has changed since the introduction of the GR DIGITAL in 2005.
Even though the GR III already had wireless functions, Ricoh is introducing a new smartphone app called "GR WORLD" with the GR IV. This should not only make it easier to control the camera remotely, but also offer better image transfer and smart functions. The new app supports all GR models from the GR II onwards.
The new Ricoh GR IV is equipped with a newly developed lens, a new image sensor and a new image processor.
(Image:Â Ricoh Imaging Europe)
Premiere in Asia, model variant in the works
On May 31, the new GR IV will be presented in Tokyo, Beijing and Shanghai. In addition to the standard version, another model with an HDF filter is also being planned. This is due to be launched on the market in winter 2025.
As part of the new launch, production of the current GR III will also be discontinued in July 2025. The reasons for this include supply difficulties with components. The GR IIIx will remain in the range for now. Ricoh would like to announce prices for the GR IV at the market launch in the fall.
