Ricoh GR GR IV Black

The GR IV's 25.7MP APS-C sensor ranks in the 90th percentile for compacts, delivering stunning image quality in a 228g body. The 6-stop IBIS is a standout feature, but video is stuck at 1080p and burst shooting is slow. It's a specialized tool for photographers who want a large sensor in their pocket, and for that crowd, it's hard to beat.

That 25.7MP sensor paired with the GR Engine 7 is the star of the show. It delivers edge-to-edge sharpness from the 18.3mm F2.8 lens that makes images pop with detail. Low light performance is aggressive, reaching up to ISO 204800, and the high-speed autofocus is optimized to lock on even when the lights get low. The 5-axis stabilization gives you 6 stops of compensation, which is one of the best implementations we've seen in a camera this small. It's not the fastest gun in the west for burst shooting, landing in the 29th percentile there, but the 0.6-second startup time means you'll rarely miss the first shot. The autofocus is solid, sitting well above average, and the new Eye AF keeps portraits crisp without fussing with focus points.

Stacked against the Fujifilm X-H2 and Canon EOS R6 Mark III, the GR IV is playing a different game entirely. Those cameras will run circles around it for video, burst speed, and viewfinder experience, but they also weigh twice as much and won't slip into a coat pocket. The Sony a7 V offers a full-frame sensor and better overall versatility, but again, you're sacrificing the GR's defining trait: true portability. The GR IV isn't trying to be a do-it-all hybrid. It's a specialized tool for photographers who prioritize a large sensor in the smallest possible body, and in that niche, it's basically in a league of its own.

Pricing is all over the map for the GR IV, with a spread of $463 across vendors from $1,436 to $1,899. At the lower end, you're getting a specialized tool with a best-in-class sensor and stabilization combo that's hard to beat for street and travel work. At the higher end, it starts bumping up against more versatile mirrorless options that offer better video and burst shooting. If you can snag it closer to $1,436, the value proposition for a pocketable APS-C powerhouse is strong.

The Ricoh GR IV packs a 25.7MP APS-C sensor into a 228g body, and that sensor quality lands in the 90th percentile among compacts in our database. You're getting near top-tier image quality in a camera that genuinely fits in a jeans pocket. The 6-stop IBIS system is a standout too, sitting in the 91st percentile, which means you can shoot handheld in dim light and still pull off sharp shots. It's a street photographer's dream spec sheet, distilled into something you'll actually carry every day.

Skip the GR IV if you need a hybrid camera that does video well, or if you shoot fast action. The 1080p video cap and burst shooting in the 29th percentile are real limitations. Wedding and event photographers should also look elsewhere, as that use case scored just 40.5 out of 100 in our analysis. If you want a viewfinder, weather sealing, or all-day battery life, this isn't your camera.

The Ricoh GR IV is a niche masterpiece. If you're a street, travel, or everyday carry photographer who values image quality above all else and wants a camera that disappears into your pocket, this is one of the best options on the market. The sensor and stabilization combo is genuinely impressive. Just know what you're signing up for: this is a stills-first machine with weak video, no weather sealing, and a burst mode that won't impress sports shooters. For the right person, it's nearly perfect.