The Ricoh GR collection has constructed a status for being pocket-sized cameras that don’t compromise on picture high quality. If you need one thing compact sufficient to hold anyplace however nonetheless highly effective sufficient to interchange your cellphone, this line has been price watching. The brand new GR IV continues that custom whereas addressing a number of the largest complaints from earlier fashions.
Coming to you from Mitch Lally, this considerate video walks by way of the Ricoh GR IV and what makes it completely different from the GR III and GR IIIx. One of many largest upgrades is the brand new 1,800 mAh battery, changing the 1,350 mAh unit from the GR IIIx. That won’t sound big, however the distinction is actual in apply. Lally stories having the ability to shoot for a number of hours with out draining even half the cost, one thing that was frustratingly inconceivable on the sooner fashions. The tradeoff is that Ricoh eliminated the full-size SD slot, changing it with a microSD slot, although the digicam now comes with 53 GB of inner storage. That alone permits you to shoot round 1,000 photos with out ever inserting a card, which makes the GR IV really feel extra self-contained.
The sensor has additionally been modernized, transferring to a 25.7 MP APS-C CMOS unit. The bounce in decision isn’t dramatic, nevertheless it’s much less about numbers and extra about protecting tempo with present requirements. The GR IV physique itself appears to be like virtually similar to the GR III, however there are refined management modifications. The rear wheel has been changed with a D-pad, whereas an infinitely scrolling wheel has been added. A rocker change additionally returns, letting you map ISO, shutter pace, and aperture to 3 separate dials. That makes the GR IV really feel extra like a real handbook digicam quite than one greatest fitted to aperture precedence. Lally highlights how a lot simpler this makes it to shoot with out digging into menus.
Key Specs
Sensor: 25.7 MP APS-C CMOS
Lens: 18.3mm (28mm equal) f/2.8 to f/16
Stabilization: 5-axis sensor-shift
ISO: 100 to 204,800
Video: 1080p as much as 59.94 fps
Inner storage: 53 GB plus microSD slot
Show: 3-inch mounted touchscreen LCD
Wi-fi: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3
Battery: DB-120, 1,800 mAh, approx. 250 pictures
Dimensions: 4.3 x 2.4 x 1.3 inches
Weight: 262 g with battery and card
Autofocus is one other space the place the GR IV stands aside. Whereas expectations for compact cameras are often modest, Lally describes the focusing system right here as fast and dependable sufficient that it felt like a special class of digicam in comparison with the GR III. For road use, this issues greater than any megapixel bump. The lens itself stays a pointy 28mm equal. That focal size might not go well with everybody. Lally admits he prefers the 40mm look of the GR IIIx, however the GR IV’s optics ship robust outcomes should you like the broader view. The one weak spot he factors out is flare when taking pictures into vivid gentle, one thing that additionally affected earlier fashions.
Ricoh has additionally added small touches like grain simulation for JPEGs, which now works in each shade and black and white. It’s the type of function that feels geared toward photographers who get pleasure from taking pictures straight-out-of-camera. The GR IV, in Lally’s phrases, seems like the trendy digital equal of the Contax T2: compact, discreet, and surprisingly succesful for its dimension, although the mounted focal size means it received’t go well with everybody. Try the video above for the complete rundown from Lally.
