Why You Should Own...

The Ricoh GR series has earned a devoted following among street, travel, and snapshot photographers for one reason: it puts a serious APS-C sensor and an excellent prime lens in a body that actually fits in a jacket pocket. The Ricoh GR IV continues that tradition with a newly designed lens, a new sensor, and an improved stabilization system, while staying true to the compact, quick-to-shoot character that made the line famous.

If you carry a camera every day, or want to, the GR IV is built for that life.

Overview: What Is the Ricoh GR IV?

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The GR IV is a compact, fixed-lens APS-C camera designed around a single use case: walk-around photography where speed, discretion, and image quality all matter equally. The newly designed GR LENS 18.3mm f/2.8 (28mm equivalent in 35mm format) is the heart of the camera, and it's built to deliver edge-to-edge sharpness in a slim body.

Key Specs at a Glance

Newly designed GR LENS 18.3mm f/2.8 (approximately 28mm in 35mm equivalent focal length)
7 optical elements in 5 groups, including 3 aspherical lens elements
23.3mm x 15.5mm back-illuminated APS-C CMOS sensor
Approximately 25.74 effective megapixels
GR ENGINE 7 imaging engine with the RICOH-original accelerator unit
ISO 100 to 204800
5-axis Sensor-Shift Shake Reduction (SR), approximately 6 shutter steps of compensation
AA Filter Simulator (moire reduction with SR unit)
3.0 inch TFT colour LCD with capacitive touch
Hybrid AF (image plane phase-matching and contrast detection)
Approximately 53GB internal memory plus microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC support
USB Type-C for charging, data transfer, and DisplayPort over USB-C output
Bluetooth 5.3 (Bluetooth Low Energy)
Magnesium alloy body frame, approximately 262g with battery and card

Why It's Worth Owning

A Brand New, Slim, High-Performance Lens

The GR IV uses a newly designed GR LENS 18.3mm f/2.8 with seven optical elements in five groups. Glass-molded aspherical elements (including a large-diameter element used as the final lens) and high-refraction, low-dispersion glass elements work together to deliver high-contrast, high-resolution images with edge-to-edge sharpness while minimizing distortion and chromatic aberration. The lens retains the classic 28mm equivalent angle of view and the large f/2.8 maximum aperture that GR shooters have always relied on.

A New Sensor and Engine for Higher Sensitivity

A newly designed, back-illuminated APS-C CMOS image sensor is paired with the upgraded GR ENGINE 7 imaging engine. The RICOH-original accelerator unit optimizes the signal-to-noise ratio so you can shoot at up to ISO 204800 when conditions demand it. The result is approximately 25.74 effective megapixels of detail with the gradation and noise control to use the full range.

Five-Axis Stabilization, Substantially Improved

The updated 5-axis SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism, assisted by a much-improved compensation algorithm, minimizes camera shake by approximately six shutter steps in the middle of an image (or four steps at edges, measured under 2024 CIPA standards). For a fixed-focal-length compact, that's a meaningful jump in handheld usability.

Faster Handling, Same Pocketable Body

Ricoh redesigned the body to be slimmer than previous GR models, with a contoured thumb grip that makes for a tighter, more comfortable hold. The mode adjustment (ADJ) lever now functions as a dial for faster operation. The magnesium alloy frame keeps the camera light and durable for everyday carry.

New Cinema Mode for Image Control

Alongside the 12 conventional Image Control modes, the GR IV adds a new Cinema mode with yellow or green tone options, designed to evoke nostalgic film-format movies. Two additional parameters (strength and size) let you fine-tune the effect. User-selected settings can be saved as a custom mode in the Image Control menu.

Who It's For

Ricoh designed the GR IV for what the original GR series has always been about: quick-shooting, walk-around photography in a slim, durable body. If you want a serious second body to throw in a bag alongside your full-frame kit, or a primary camera for street photography, travel, daily life, and family snapshots, the GR IV is built for that life. The 28mm equivalent perspective is a documentary classic, and the camera disappears in your hand.

Final Thoughts

The GR IV gives the most loyal compact-camera community on the internet exactly what it wanted: a thoughtfully redesigned lens, a new sensor, better stabilization, and a body that still slips into a pocket. If you've owned a GR before, you already know if this is the camera for you. If you haven't, the GR IV is one of the easiest second cameras to recommend.

Ready to Own the Ricoh GR IV?

The GR IV is in limited quantities at Camera Canada. Visit us to handle one in person, or order online with free shipping on regular orders over $99 to most destinations in Canada. Our staff can talk you through the differences between the GR IV and the GR IIIx if you're weighing which to choose.