Ricoh GR IV: Is Portability Worth $1,500?

At $1,499, this represents a jarring 67% price increase over the GR III’s launch, transforming what was once a photo enthusiast’s tool into a luxury statement for street photography/social media poster.

The GR IV matters because it proves that tools can command premium pricing in our smartphone-dominated world – but only when they deliver experiences that no other camera can match. 

While competitors chase features and versatility, Ricoh doubled down on the vision that has defined the GR series: perfect image quality in a VERY small package.

Technical evolution hides limitations

The new 25.7MP back-illuminated APS-C sensor represents improvement over the GR III’s front-illuminated design – the same Sony sensor powering the a6700. 

Combined with the GR Engine 7 processor, this processor delivers cleaner high-ISO performance and improved dynamic range, though the gains are more evolutionary rather than revolutionary.

The most significant upgrade is the redesigned 28mm f/2.8 lens. Seven elements in five groups with three aspherical elements address the complaints of the GR III’s corner softness. 

Professional testing confirms edge-to-edge sharpness that matches center performance – a critical achievement for wide-angle street photography where every part of the frame matters.

The optical formula is new. The front element measures 18.3mm in diameter with a maximum aperture of f/2.8.  Minimum focusing distance reaches 0.06m in macro mode. 

The aperture range spans f/2.8 to f/16 in 1/3-stop increments. Ricoh redesigned the lens barrel mechanism to extend and retract faster, cutting startup time by 0.2 seconds.  (A big plus for street-photography)

Five-axis image stabilization that replaces the previous three-axis system, providing 6 stops of compensation versus 4 stops before.

 This helps with handheld low-light shooting in street photography, allowing sharp captures down to 1/4 second exposures without tripods or flash. The IBIS system compensates for pitch, yaw, roll, horizontal shift, and vertical shift movements.

The camera boots in 0.6 seconds – 25% faster than the GR III. The difference between camera-ready and subject-gone measures in milliseconds for street photography. 

The internal storage increase from 2GB to 53GB represents a dramatic upgrade – storing 1,000 RAW files versus 100 before.

Technical specifications reveal both advancement and constraint:

• Sensor: 25.7MP APS-C BSI-CMOS (23.5 x 15.6mm)
• Processor: GR Engine 7
• ISO: 100-204,800 (extended)
• Shutter: 1/4000s to 300s mechanical
• Buffer: 14-bit RAW at 4fps for 8 frames
• AF points: Hybrid system with 425 phase-detect points
• LCD: 3.0″ fixed touchscreen, 1.04M dots
• Battery: 1800mAh DB-120 (250 shots CIPA)
• Dimensions: 109 x 61 x 33mm
• Weight: 262g with battery

These improvements can’t mask what’s missing. No 4K video capability in 2025 feels dated, at this price point. 

The lack of weather sealing limits the camera’s utility for travel photography, despite Ricoh’s improved dust resistance measures.  Big Miss: The absence of an electronic viewfinder or a tilting LCD screen limits compositions in bright light or creative angles.

The video specifications tell the limitation story: 1920×1080 at 60fps maximum, H.264 codec, no 4K option, no headphone jack, no microphone input. For hybrid creators, these limitations eliminate the GR IV from consideration. 

Street photography excellence, everything else frustration

The GR IV’s 28mm fixed focal length creates both its greatest strength and most limiting weakness. For street photographers, this wide perspective captures environmental context while maintaining subject intimacy – enabling the environmental storytelling that defines documentary photography. The discrete form factor allows for candid capture, with users reporting how “few people paid me any mind even in sensitive areas.”

Professional street photographers emphasize the camera’s handling. One-handed operation enables shooting from unusual angles, while the snap focus system eliminates autofocus delay. The physical controls allow lots of setting changes without taking eyes off the scene.

The snap focus system offers preset distances: 1m, 1.2m, 1.5m, 2m, 2.5m, 3m, 5m, and infinity. A new Snap Distance Priority mode sets aperture to achieve desired depth of field at the chosen distance. The Full Press Snap feature bypasses autofocus and takes a shot at the preset focus distance.  An interesting function, but not sure how useful in the field though. 

Control layout returns to classic GR design:

• 4-way directional pad (returned from GR III removal)
• Dedicated exposure compensation rocker switch (restored)
• Clickable rear command dial (replaces GR III joystick)
• Front command dial
• ADJ lever for quick settings access
• Mode dial with lock button

However, landscape photography reveals the GR IV’s limitations. The fixed 28mm focal length constrains compositional options compared to zoom systems. The lack of weather sealing creates problems in outdoor conditions where dust, moisture, or temperature changes pose threats to the camera. The absence of an electronic viewfinder makes composition challenging in bright outdoor conditions.

Travel photographers benefit from pocketability – fitting in pants pockets rather than requiring camera bags. The improved stabilization gives available-light photography in challenging conditions, while the internal storage provides freedom during extended trips without that memory card anxiety.

But this same camera fails for wildlife, sports, or any telephoto work. The autofocus, while improved, struggles and hunts with fast-moving subjects. 

The autofocus system uses hybrid phase-detection and contrast-detection with 425 AF points covering the frame. Face and eye detection works for humans. Subject tracking exists but hasn’t proved to be consistent. Single-point AF performs better than continuous modes. AF sensitivity reaches -4 EV in low light.

Competitive landscape reveals misstep

Against the Fujifilm X100VI, the GR IV’s positioning becomes problematic. For $100 more, the X100VI delivers 40MP resolution versus 25.7MP, weather resistance options, autofocus performance, and both optical and electronic viewfinders. The X100VI also provides 6.2K video capability versus basic 1080p.

The GR IV’s advantage lies in pocketability. Weighing 262g versus the X100VI’s 521g, it fits in pants pockets where the Fuji requires jacket storage. This size difference changes the camera’s availability for shooting – the core premise of street photography.

Size comparison reveals the GR IV’s unique position:

• GR IV: 109 x 61 x 33mm, 262g
• X100VI: 128 x 74 x 55mm, 521g
• Sony RX1R III: 113 x 65 x 72mm, 507g
• Leica Q3: 130 x 80 x 91mm, 734g

Price positioning proves the most controversial aspect. The jump from $899 to $1,499 places the GR IV against other feature-rich cameras that offer viewfinders, weather sealing, and broader capabilities.  Do these improvements justify the price increase? 

Against full-frame alternatives, the GR IV occupies a unique position. The Sony RX1R III costs $3,300, the Leica Q3 exceeds $6,000. While these deliver image quality through larger sensors and faster lenses, they sacrifice the GR IV’s goal – true pocketability with great image quality.

Market positioning analysis:

• Budget compact: $200-500 (smaller sensors, limited features)
• Premium compact: $800-1200 (APS-C/1″, good features)
• Luxury compact: $1500+ (full-frame or premium APS-C, limited availability)
• Professional compact: $3000+ (full-frame, professional features)

The GR IV now sits in the luxury compact category, competing against cameras with larger sensors or more features rather than occupying its traditional premium compact space.

Real-world performance exposes persistent weaknesses

Image quality shows the sensor’s capability:

• Dynamic range: 13.2 stops at base ISO
• Color depth: 24.2 bits at ISO 100
• Low-light ISO: 1297 (acceptable noise levels)
• High-ISO performance: Clean to ISO 1600, usable to ISO 6400
• RAW file format: 14-bit DNG files, average 35MB per image

However, battery life remains limiting despite the larger 1,800mAh DB-120 battery. It seems that real-world usage yields 300-400 shots, requiring spare batteries for extended shooting sessions. The switch to microSD cards creates handling inconveniences for photographers with established SD card workflows.

Video capabilities feel dated at this price point. Basic 1080p recording without 4K options, limited codec choices, and no advanced video features position the GR IV poorly against modern hybrid expectations.

Video specifications in detail:

• Maximum resolution: 1920×1080 at 60fps
• Codec: H.264, 40Mbps bitrate maximum
• Audio: Built-in stereo microphone, no external mic input
• Stabilization: IBIS active during video recording
• Focus: Contrast-detect AF during recording, no continuous focus tracking
• Recording limit: 29 minutes maximum per clip

Purchase decision framework demands honesty

Buy the GR IV if you need its combination of APS-C image quality and pocketability, work within a 28mm focal length, prioritize street or travel photography, and accept its limitations as necessary trade-offs for size.

Avoid the GR IV if you need focal length flexibility, require weather sealing, want video capabilities, prefer electronic viewfinders, shoot sports or wildlife, or broad photographic versatility from a $1,499 camera.

The alternative recommendation points toward the Fujifilm X100VI for most photographers. While larger and heavier, it provides features and capabilities for similar money. The discontinued GR III remains available at lower pricing for those willing to accept less performance.

Alternative comparison matrix:

Fujifilm X100VI ($1,599)

• Pros: 40MP sensor, hybrid OVF/EVF, weather sealing option, 6.2K video, superior AF
• Cons: 2x weight, larger size, jacket-pocket only, higher price

Ricoh GR III ($699 used)

• Pros: Same core features, lower price, proven reliability
• Cons: Older sensor, slower AF, less stabilization, smaller battery

Sony a6700 + 20mm f/2.8 ($1,600 system)

• Pros: Interchangeable lenses, weather sealing, 4K video, professional AF
• Cons: Larger system, more complexity, higher total cost

High-end smartphones ($800-1200)

• Pros: Always available, computational photography, video excellence, connectivity
• Cons: Smaller sensor, no physical controls, limited optical quality, limited RAW flexibility

Professional verdict: niche excellence at premium cost

The GR IV succeeds at being what Ricoh intended – the ultimate pocketable APS-C camera system. It delivers DSLR-quality images in a form factor that competing systems cannot match. For street and travel photographers who understand and embrace its constraints, it represents the pinnacle of portable photography.

However, the 67% price increase changes its market position. What was once an accessible photo enthusiast tool has become a luxury statement piece. The camera now competes against alternatives that offer more capabilities.

Professional publications award measured praise. DPReview’s Silver Award acknowledges incremental improvements while questioning value. PetaPixel’s Editor’s Choice recognizes niche excellence while noting industry-wide pricing pressures. Amateur Photographer’s 4.5/5 stars calls it “the ultimate street snapper” but questions the price increase timing.

User community reactions split along experience lines. GR veterans appreciate the refinements and accept limitations as inherent to the GR philosophy. Newcomers and critics find the feature-to-price ratio disappointing compared to more versatile alternatives.

The scoring breakdown from major publications:

• DPReview: 82% (Silver Award) – praised image quality, criticized price
• PetaPixel: Editor’s Choice – “successor worth waiting for”
• Amateur Photographer: 4.5/5 stars – “ultimate street snapper”
• The Verge: Mixed review – questioned value proposition at new price point
• Fstoppers: Positive review – emphasized niche appeal and limitations

The uncomfortable truth about premium specialization

The Ricoh GR IV represents photography’s equivalent of a luxury sports car – engineered for excellence while sacrificing broad utility. It succeeds within its narrow scope while failing to address persistent user requests for weather sealing, electronic viewfinders, or modern video capabilities.

For photographers who value ultimate portability above all other considerations, the GR IV provides an experience no alternative can match.

The GR IV represents a bet that enough photographers will pay premium prices for quality portability. In a market where smartphones handle most casual photography and mirrorless systems serve professional needs, the GR IV occupies the narrow space between convenience and capability – they are hoping that this gap still matters enough for luxury pricing.  Having limited video functions makes this a non-starter for lots of users. 

For photographers who live in this space, the GR IV delivers a portability that no other camera provides right now, delivering a wonderful travel and street camera with little fuss.