Ricoh Imaging had been quiet about the future of the GR series since the launches of GR III and GR IIIx in 2019 and 2021, respectively. While we did see reports of the GR Monochrome camera or patents for wide-angle lenses, we, however, didn’t hear much about the highly anticipated Ricoh GR IV. That was until May 21, 2025, because a day later, the company, shockingly and without much publicity, announced the development of the GR IV. Said to be “currently under development,” Ricoh has announced GR IV’s specs and release date. Here is a look at both.
What Will the Ricoh GR IV Have?
Per the press release, the Ricoh GR IV “inherits the basic GR-series concept,” but includes a newly designed lens, sensor, and imaging processor. With new advanced compatibility, the camera has been “designed to be the ultimate snapshot camera,” which will also “satisfy every photographer’s demands and expectations.” Here are the specifications:
- A new 25.74MP 23.3mm x 15.5mm sensor, with an ISO range between 100 to 204,800.
- A new 18.3mm f2.8 lens (approx. 28mm), designed using 7 elements in 5 groups (3 aspherical lens elements).
- Hybrid AF, with face and eye detection.
- Focus range: Normal mode at approx. 0.1m to infinity, Macro mode: approx. 0.06m to 0.15m.
- 5-axis image stabilisation, Moiré reduction, and dust removal technology.
- 14-bit RAW, DCF2.0 compliant.
- Full HD video at 60p.
- Internal memory of approx. 53GB, UHS-I microSD card slot.
- Four metering modes and five exposure modes.
- Drive: Single Frame Shooting, Continuous Shooting, Bracketing, Multi-exposure, Interval Shooting, Interval Composite
- Image Control: Standard, Vivid, Monotone, Soft Monotone, Hard Monotone, Hi-Contrast B&W, Negative Film, Positive Film, Cinema (Yellow), Cinema (Green), Bleach Bypass, Retro, Cross Processing, HDR Tone, Custom1, Custom2, Custom3
- Adjust parameters: Saturation, Hue, High/Low Key Adjustment, Contrast, Contrast (Highlight), Contrast (Shadow), Sharpness, Shading, Clarity, Toning, Filter Effect, Grain Effect, HDR Tone Level, Color Tone (Adjust parameter varies depending on the selected image setting)
- 1/4000 sec – 30 sec shutter
- 3-inch 1037K dots TFT color LCD
- No flash, again
- Weighs 262g
The Ricoh GR IV has a better lens, a slightly higher sensor (from 24.2MP seen in GR III), and better in-body image stabilization. From the looks of it, there are some improvements, but we aren’t sure whether they will be that major.
In addition, the company has also announced the development of GR IV HDF (Highlight Diffusion Filter). But no other detail has been revealed yet.
When Will the Camera Launch?
Per Ricoh, the GR IV will be revealed on May 31 at the GR SPACE in Tokyo, Beijing, and Shanghai. However, its official launch will be in Autumn 2025. As for the HDF model, it is scheduled to launch “after winter 2025,” so that means early 2026.
The company has also decided to launch a new application, called GR World, which will be available for all GR models after the GR II. The release will be “soon.”
While we enjoy the launch of the upcoming model, the company has also announced that it will no longer be producing the GR III. The camera will be discontinued in July due to “a difficulty in procuring parts and components.” However, the e the GR IIIx will be available for the “time being.”
