Ricoh GR GR IV Black Review

The Ricoh GR IV is a camera that knows exactly what it is. At 227 grams, it's one of the lightest APS-C cameras you can buy, and it starts up in 0.6 seconds, which is the fastest in the GR series. That combination of a 25.7MP sensor and a sharp 18.3mm F2.8 lens makes it a powerhouse for street and travel photography right out of your pocket. It scores best for travel (59.5/100) and is surprisingly capable for streaming (52.4/100), but it's not built for YouTube work, landing in the 36th percentile for video. This is a specialist's tool, not a jack-of-all-trades.

Where this camera shines is in its core photography performance. The sensor quality is in the 83rd percentile, and that sharp GR lens delivers edge-to-edge clarity. The real game-changer is the 5-axis in-body stabilization with 6-stop compensation, which puts it in the 89th percentile. That means you can handhold shots at much slower shutter speeds without a blurry mess. But you have to know the limits. Autofocus lands in the 45th percentile, and burst shooting is in the 35th, so it's not the camera for fast action or sports. It's built for deliberate, high-quality stills.

At $1497, the GR IV is a premium compact. You're paying for that unique combination of a large APS-C sensor, a legendary sharp lens, and pro-level build in a tiny body. There aren't many direct competitors that offer this specific formula. You're buying into a niche. For the price, you could get an interchangeable lens camera, but you won't get this level of portability and lens quality in one sealed package. It's expensive, but for its target user, it's the only tool that does this specific job.

Compared to something like the Sony a6700, the GR IV loses on versatility. The a6700 has much better autofocus, video features, and you can change lenses. But the a6700 with a similar-quality prime lens won't fit in your pocket. Against the Fujifilm X-E5, the GR IV has a significant advantage with in-body stabilization and a faster startup, but the Fuji offers that classic film simulation and an interchangeable lens system. The Canon R6 II blows it away in autofocus and video but is a much larger, heavier full-frame system. The GR IV's value is in its singular, focused design where the others are compromises.

The Ricoh GR IV is a brilliant, uncompromising camera for a specific photographer. If you're a street shooter, travel enthusiast, or anyone who values ultimate image quality in a truly pocketable form, it's almost in a class of its own. The data backs this up with top-tier scores in build and stabilization. But the numbers also don't lie about its weaknesses in AF, video, and burst shooting. At $1497, it's a luxury tool. For the right person, it's the perfect camera. For anyone needing versatility, it's the wrong choice. Know what you're buying.