Ricoh GR IV Review: The Ultimate Pocket Camera Perfected

A True Expert Compact That Masters the Art of Invisibility

Ricoh has corrected the three key flaws of its legend. Is this the ultimate compact camera? With its new 25MP APS-C BSI sensor, mechanical 5-axis stabilisation, and redesigned 28mm f/2.8 lens, the Ricoh GR IV doesn't overturn the formula—it matures it. This is a tool designed for those who photograph extensively, frequently, and discreetly. In a world saturated with billion-pixel sensors and cameras bristling with articulated screens, the GR IV champions the very essence of photography: simplicity.

Thirteen years after the GR series' digital renaissance, the fourth generation marks a technical milestone. It adopts faster, cleaner BSI (back-illuminated) architecture, inaugurates 5-axis mechanical stabilisation worthy of a mid-range hybrid camera, gains generous internal memory, and features much more reliable hybrid autofocus. Nothing ostentatious—everything is there so the camera ceases to be a variable in the photographic act, but rather an extension of the eye.

Since the GR Digital I (2005), and even earlier with the film lineage, Ricoh's philosophy hasn't wavered: deliver the best possible image in the smallest reasonable volume. The 2013 GR brought the series to APS-C—an entirely different dimension in image quality terms. Compact and understated, the series became a street photography classic.

Design and Handling: Truly Pocket-Sized

Visually, nothing betrays the generation change. The GR IV remains that small rectangle of magnesium and textured rubber, highly discrete. 262 grammes on the scales (with battery and card), 109mm wide, 61mm tall: it fits in virtually any pocket.

The adjustments are subtle. The front grip appears slightly more adherent, the rear grip adheres better to the thumb, and two vertical buttons appear for adjusting exposure.

IPX4 Weather Resistance

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Major news—expected by users—the body is now dust and splash resistant with IPX4 certification. The GR IV won't survive immersion, but it can face drizzle or dust. This is welcome, as the GR III had a reputation for attracting dust onto its sensor in certain situations.

Everything falls under the thumb, whether on the top face (PASM wheel, notched wheel) or rear face, with all buttons housed on the right. Despite relatively few buttons, the GR IV offers three fully customisable modes (U1/2/3), where users can choose not only film simulations but specific apertures, autofocus type, IBIS usage, ND filter, etc. Finally, almost every button can be reassigned.

The main menu is somewhat austere but clear and logical—which is what matters.

The 28mm Lens: Redesigned Excellence

Ricoh retains its focal length of choice for street photography, the 28mm (full-frame equivalent). But the formula changes to suit the new sensor: 7 elements in 5 groups including 3 aspherical elements, versus 6 elements previously. The addition of an aspherical element and overall redesign aim to improve edge performance.

The result matches expectations, though the GR III was already excellent in this regard. The centre delivers surgical sharpness from maximum f/2.8 aperture. But the real improvement concerns the edges, now very good at maximum aperture and excellent from f/4.

Vignetting is corrected in JPEG or via the profile integrated into RAW files (for example with Lightroom). The lens benefits from HD Coating treatment that does remarkable work containing parasitic reflections; flare is minimal (and often aesthetic).

The 9-blade diaphragm (versus 6 on the GR III) produces softer, more circular bokeh (background blur), especially visible in macro mode. It's not a bokeh king given the focal length and aperture.

Leaf Shutter Advantages

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Ricoh retains a central (leaf shutter) with three appreciable benefits:

1. Silent Operation: The release is virtually inaudible
2. Zero Vibration: No vibration at release (sharpness preserved)
3. Flash Sync: Synchronisation with external flash up to 1/2500s

The integrated ND filter (–2 EV) remains present. It's essential for using maximum aperture in bright sunlight or for forced long exposures (silk effect on water, for example).

Performance: Clear Progress

This is where the GR IV pulls ahead. Autofocus is finally mature. This was THE perfectible point, as the GR III's contrast-detection AF was sometimes slow, hesitant in low light, and made capturing moving subjects frustrating. The GR IV adopts hybrid architecture (phase + contrast). Phase-detection collimators are integrated directly onto the BSI sensor and cover approximately 95% of the surface.

In the field, the difference is striking: in daylight, acquisition is almost instantaneous, though in full auto, focus often locks on planes too close. Indoors or in low light, where the GR III struggled, the GR IV locks focus much faster. Face and eye recognition now function properly. This isn't real-time 3D tracking from a flagship Sony, but for street photography or quick portraits, the camera locks onto the eye and holds it.

Snap Focus: Still a Brilliant Idea

This is the Ricoh GR's signature function, the one that summarises its philosophy. The famous Snap Focus—or instant preset focus—isn't a gimmick. Its purpose? Completely eliminate autofocus delay to offer immediate release, without the slightest hesitation between eye and photograph.

In this mode, you predetermine a fixed sharpness zone—1.5m, 2m, 2.5m, 5m, or infinity. At release, the camera doesn't attempt to determine focus: it instantly sets to that distance. Result: no latency, no micro-pause before capture.

The principle is simple: using narrow apertures (f/8 or f/11) creates a large depth of field. For example, at f/8 and 2.5m focus, everything between 1.5m and 5m will be sharp.

For a long time, Snap was a workaround: on previous generations, it compensated for slow autofocus in low light. With the GR IV, it's the opposite. The camera's hybrid AF is now sufficiently precise and fast to handle unexpected situations; Snap becomes a pure creative tool. Frame, release, discover the result afterwards.

5-Axis IBIS Stabilisation: Professional Grade

The GR IV adopts an entirely new 5-axis IBIS module rated at 6 stops. This is an astonishing figure for such a small body, and one wonders where Ricoh found space to install such suspension around the sensor. Regardless, in real conditions, the result is there. Sharp images at 1/8s are achieved without excessive concentration, and usable images up to one second exposure with care.

In the field, this translates to genuine freedom in low light; you can stay at ISO 200–400 when you'd have climbed to 1600 previously. It also opens creative fields: combined with the ND filter, you can now attempt light trails or blur water motion in broad daylight without necessarily using a tripod. Finally, IBIS also serves for (slight) horizon correction.

BSI Sensor with Minimal Noise

The Ricoh GR IV integrates a new 25.6MP APS-C back-illuminated sensor to optimise low-light capture. This new BSI sensor distinguishes itself through remarkable noise management.

Testing an image deliberately underexposed by -5 EV then overexposed in Lightroom revealed virtually no background noise. You can therefore miss exposure and correct in post, even heavily, without risking chromatic mush in shadows.

Regarding ISO sensitivity climb, noise is light even at ISO 6400 (without in-camera correction, in RAW). Concretely, it's beyond ISO 25,600 that chromatic noise intrudes too frankly and reduces image resolution despite corrections applied by the camera. Regardless, you can photograph in Auto ISO with full confidence.

In Daily Use: Always in the Pocket

Beyond numbers, what's the GR IV worth daily? I spent three weeks with it tucked in my pockets. First observation: you quickly forget it. The camera is so light (265g) you barely feel it. Consequently, you take it everywhere and make more photographs. The GR IV is also a complementary camera, and when you don't want to set down your camera bag to extract a large hybrid, you readily pull out the Ricoh knowing you can rely on its optical qualities and sensor dynamics.

But beware—its 28mm isn't a focal length suited to all photographs, particularly tight portraits—faces distort—nor background isolation. You easily photograph what's near you, but as soon as you want to emphasise a background detail, it becomes immediately more complicated. From this perspective, a GR IVx with 40mm (full-frame equivalent) would doubtless be useful to the GR range.

Film Simulations

The GR IV's asset is also its film simulations. There are few—far fewer than Fuji—but they're effective, especially Film Positive and Monochrome Hard (stunning, that one). Ricoh has added two new "recipes": Cinema Green and Cinema Yellow. They're also found in Lightroom to apply to RAW photos (DNG format).

Finally, the 53GB internal memory is genuinely good thinking, and one wishes competitors would follow suit given flash memory costs. These onboard gigabytes allow 1,000 RAW photos and considerably more in JPEG. Obviously, you can install a memory card in microSD format now. Only snag: accessing the microSD slot isn't straightforward in the battery compartment.

Video: Not Its Cup of Tea

Ricoh GRs have never really played on video terrain—and this remains the case. The GR IV stays limited to 1080p at 60, 30, or 24 frames per second, with integrated stereo microphone and MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 recording. No 4K nor Log profile. Captures can last up to 25 minutes or 4GB, whichever limit is reached first. The camera stops automatically in case of overheating—classic for this compact format—but in this cool season, the problem didn't appear.

Battery Life: Double the Time

The GR IV introduces the new DB-120 battery (1500mAh). CIPA autonomy (mixed use: photo, screen, power-on without combined use) rises from 200 to 400 shots. In practice, it's therefore much better than the GR III. In regular use, you can easily last the day. The battery recharges in about an hour.

Who Should Buy the Ricoh GR IV?

Perfect for:

• Street photographers seeking ultimate discretion
• Travellers refusing to be burdened by equipment
• Professional photographers wanting a pocketable backup
• Photography purists valuing simplicity over features
• Those who photograph frequently and spontaneously
• Enthusiasts prioritising image quality over versatility
• Anyone wanting the smallest APS-C camera available

Consider alternatives if:

• You need an articulated screen or viewfinder
• 4K video capability is essential
• You require focal length versatility
• Burst shooting speed matters (more than 4fps)
• You're on a tight budget (£1,349 is premium pricing)
• You need maximum aperture wider than f/2.8

Conclusion

The Ricoh GR IV doesn't revolutionise anything. Rather than chasing trends, it refines a proven recipe: modern APS-C sensor, impeccable fixed 28mm lens, minimalist ergonomics, and the instant shooting philosophy that defines the GR series.

Improvements are where essential: hybrid autofocus (phase+contrast) finally reactive, 5-axis stabilisation changing the game in low light with up to 6 stops compensated, more flexible BSI sensor, reinforced autonomy. Ricoh hasn't yielded to marketing sirens: no artificial portrait mode, no articulated screen, no abundant connectivity. Just the necessary tools in a body that genuinely fits in the pocket.

This GR IV addresses those seeking efficiency before effect. For the street photographer wanting to disappear into crowds, the traveller refusing to be burdened, the discerning amateur preferring composition over technical subjugation—there exists no better companion in such a small format. Only caveat: video resolution remains limited to 1080p mode.

Finally, its price is elevated at £1,349, but it offers a unique experience: that of photography rediscovered, stripped of artifice.