- Ricoh confirms GR IV is in improvement and ‘autumn 2025’ launch
- A variation with spotlight diffusion filter will observe in ‘winter 2025’
- The compacts will pack a newly designed lens, sensor and processor
Ricoh has introduced the improvement of the Ricoh GR IV, the subsequent technology of one in all the finest compact cameras. As a longtime GR IIIx consumer, I could not be more excited for what’s in retailer.
We have been speculating for months if not years about when and if a GR IV would be unveiled. Alongside the means, leaks have given us false hope as additional iterations of the GR III have been launched as a substitute, akin to the GR III HDF.
Now, lastly, we all know (roughly) when the GR IV will launch – a press launch says we are able to count on the GR IV in “autumn 2025”, whereas a distinct segment spotlight diffusion filter (HDF) model is set to observe in “winter 2025”. There is no phrase but on an ‘x’ iteration.
In the build-up to these launches the GR III will be discontinued, though manufacturing of the GR IIIx is set to proceed for now.
I have already written about the upgrades I hope to see in the Ricoh GR IV, and now the press launch has teased a couple of issues that we are able to sit up for.
How huge an improve will the Ricoh GR IV be?
Ricoh says the “GR IV inherits the fundamental GR-series idea, whereas additionally incorporating completely new elements, together with a newly designed lens, a brand new picture sensor and a brand new imaging engine, to additional improve picture high quality.
“It additionally options more superior communications capabilities and is appropriate with a brand new software designed for sensible gadgets to enhance operability and performance.”
These enhancements may certainly make the GR IV, in Ricoh’s phrases, “the final snapshot digital camera in the historical past of the GR collection”; however as an precise consumer of the GR IIIx there are some much less headline-worthy upgrades that I’d additionally wish to see.
Picture high quality from the GR III collection is already stellar, however I hope we see some design enhancements, significantly higher construct high quality, a built-in flash and, offered the really compact dimensions stay, a tilt LCD display screen.
Efficiency-wise, the GR IV wants higher autofocus, and the point out of a brand new processor and sensor offers me hope that’ll be the case.
Ricoh says GR IV prototypes will be showcased at the GR SPACE in Tokyo, Beijing, and Shanghai from Could 31. That ought to give us additional clues as to any design adjustments, together with the new lens.
The Ricoh GR IV is a digital camera I’ve been trying ahead to for a very long time, and with premium compacts significantly in style proper now it will possibly’t come quickly sufficient, and is set to be one in all 2025’s hottest cameras.