GR IV

Reviewer verdict

Across 35 YouTube reviews, the Ricoh GR IV earns an Index score of 3.6/5, ranking #25 among Point-and-Shoot Cameras. Reviewers most often praise its image quality, features, ease of use, while the most common criticisms concern features, image quality.

The Ricoh GR IV is celebrated for packing a high-resolution 26MP APS-C sensor into an incredibly compact, pocketable body, delivering image quality that rivals much larger cameras. Reviewers praise its design, which is finely tuned for street and travel photography with a very sharp 28mm lens, lightning-fast startup, and the acclaimed snap-focus feature for instantaneous captures. Meaningful upgrades over its predecessor include a significantly improved five-axis image stabilization system, much better battery life, and a massive 53GB of internal storage. Combined with refined controls and an overall fun, inspiring user experience, it's a powerful tool that encourages photographers to carry it everywhere and shoot more often.

The camera's premium price is a major point of criticism, especially given its lack of features common in modern cameras. Reviewers consistently point out the absence of weather sealing, which heightens long-standing concerns about dust getting on the sensor. Other significant omissions include a built-in viewfinder, an articulating screen, and 4K video capabilities, with its 1080p video being described as poor. While autofocus has improved, it can still be unreliable in low light, and the modest battery life often necessitates carrying spares, detracting from its otherwise minimalist appeal.

Analysis based on 35 YouTube reviews (6h 25m of video) with 436 pros and 244 cons extracted.

Pros (436)

Cons (244)

Review sources

• Review | Ricoh GR IV - The Ultimate Pocket Camera? Real-World Test in MediaCity by Wilkinson Cameras — 25 pros, 7 cons
• The Ricoh GR IV ANNOUNCED and you complain. by Omar Gonzalez Photography — 19 pros, 12 cons
• The Ricoh GR IV is a Worthy Successor! by PetaPixel — 19 pros, 11 cons
• Ricoh GR IV Review: Street Camera Showdown! by Tony & Chelsea Northrup — 12 pros, 15 cons
• Ricoh GR IV Review: Worth Getting One? (feat. Sony A7Cii) by Louscapes — 16 pros, 10 cons
• The Ultimate Lifestyle Camera Just Got Better 20 pros, 6 cons
• I took 1,000 photos with the Ricoh GR IV by Becca Farsace — 15 pros, 10 cons
• Ricoh GR IV - Ricoh's best EVER compact camera by Amateur Photographer TV — 18 pros, 7 cons
• Ricoh GR IV: First Impressions From A Fuji User by avdidit — 16 pros, 9 cons
• I Was So Wrong... by Tom Calton — 16 pros, 8 cons
• Ricoh GR IV First Impressions: pushing the right buttons by DPReview TV — 18 pros, 5 cons
• Ricoh GR IV Review: Is portability worth 1500 dollars? by Luminous Landscape — 13 pros, 9 cons
• Ricoh GR IV First Impressions by TheCameraStoreTV — 16 pros, 5 cons
• Why the Ricoh GR is More Powerful than my Z8, Zf, and X100VI 14 pros, 7 cons
• I tried the Ricoh GR IV (Autofocus Test, Button Layout, Design changes). 13 pros, 7 cons
• Unlimited "Film" Photos! | Ricoh GR Digital IV Review 12 pros, 7 cons
• I bought a RICOH GR IV Compact Camera - did I make a mistake?! by Hamer Reviews — 11 pros, 8 cons
• Testing the new Ricoh GR IV in Skiathos 11 pros, 8 cons
• Ricoh GR IV by Camera Centre UK — 13 pros, 5 cons
• Review | Is the Ricoh GR IV a tool with a cult following? by Wex Photo Video — 14 pros, 4 cons
• Ricoh GR IV: Never Felt This Way About a Camera by Tudor Mateescu — 6 pros, 12 cons
• Ricoh GR IV: First Impressions after 1000 images. Real world sample images. Watch before buying! 9 pros, 9 cons
• Ricoh GR IV by Mitch Lally — 13 pros, 5 cons
• What Is The Ricoh GR IV REALLY Like? My Hands On First Impressions by Zakari Kha — 14 pros, 4 cons
• I Tried the RICOH GR IV for 30 Days 10 pros, 8 cons
• Ricoh GR IV: The Must-Have Gear Guide for Minimalists. by Luis Chavez — 12 pros, 5 cons
• Everyone Says the Ricoh GR3 Is Perfect… So Why Did Ricoh Make the GR4? 13 pros, 4 cons
• Ricoh GRIV FATAL Flaw 11 pros, 6 cons
• From Leica Q3 to Ricoh GRIV - why I switched 7 pros, 10 cons
• Why I Chose the Ricoh GR III Over the GR IV (still the best travel camera 2025!) 8 pros, 6 cons
• Ricoh GR IV or Fujifilm X100VI Which one is right for you? by Jason Chen — 7 pros, 5 cons
• Unboxing the Ricoh GR IV — The Ultimate F/8 and Be There 5 pros, 3 cons
• Why I Chose The Leica Over The GRIV 2 pros, 5 cons
• My First Week with the Ricoh GR IV — Seeing the World Together by iGefen — 6 pros, 0 cons
• Do I Need The Ricoh GR4 For My Street Photography? –Can The Lumix GX880 Be Just As Good? by Matti Sulanto — 2 pros, 2 cons

Frequently asked questions