- First Ricoh GR IV 'unboxing' reveals an even slimmer compact design
- The control layout features minor tweaks, including the return of a + / - rocker
- Autofocus and startup are seemingly quicker
As we near the launch date of the Ricoh GR IV, the first sample images taken with the premium compact are hitting Ricoh's social media to whet the appetite.
Meanwhile, one of its ambassadors has shared the first hands-on video with the GR IV, discussing his first impressions before using the premium pocket snapper for real.
As a GR IIIX owner, I've got a particular interest in its successor, especially as we rate the GR III / GR IIIX as one of the best compact camera series around. Put simply, it delivers the best image quality from a genuinely pocketable snapper.
That said, I'll admit that when I first saw the GR IV tech specs and product imagery back in May, followed by it being showcased in June, I felt underwhelmed.
At first glance, the latest version seemingly fails to deliver many of my GR IV top wishes – there's still no built-in flash, tilt screen, or improved build quality. Most of the tech specs seem pretty similar, too.
However, what matters most is real-world use, and the hands-on video on the Samuel Streetlife YouTube shows plenty of reason to be excited.
A snappier premium pocket snapper
My top request for the upcoming GR model was for it to stay small – in other words, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Ricoh has seemingly gone one better and made the GR IV body even slimmer, while making the hand grip more pronounced. The grip on the rear looks like it has a larger groove for the thumb to rest, too. That's a solid start.
From brief testing illustrated in the first hands-on (see the YouTube video, above), autofocus appears to be snappier. That could be another major win, especially given how poor the autofocus performance of the GR III is. The tests were made in overcast daylight conditions, rather than the more challenging conditions of nighttime.
Start-up time is also quicker, almost instantaneous in fact. For a camera that's particularly popular with street photographers who might need to respond to moments quickly, that's a top feature.
What the video doesn't dig into is image quality, though we are getting the first glimpses of that on Ricoh's Instagram (below). One image showcases impressive macro photography skills, while another demonstrates the 5-axis image stabilization in action – a handheld monochrome shot where movement is blurred but static subjects are sharp.
From tech specs, we know there is a modest bump in resolution, from 24MP to 26MP, while the 28mm f/2.8 lens is redesigned, but those images on social media can't clearly demonstrate if there are any real improvements in image quality – that'll come from proper testing.
There are a couple more noteworthy updates – the GR III records onto an SD card and has 2GB internal storage, whereas the GR IV uses a micro SD and has 53GB of internal storage. I'm not sure which I prefer of the two, but the GR III series has never been one for high performance, fast burst shooting, so the slower micro SD card type in the new model might not be a deal breaker.
From what I've seen in the launch build-up, I'm getting my hopes up once more for the upcoming GR IV. As for its release date, Mirrorless Rumors pulled a screenshot from the retailer B&H Photo, which suggested that preorders go live at 6PM ET today (Aug 20). However, when I clicked on the link, the info had been removed.
So while we don't know when exactly preorders start, the GR IV could be available really soon – color me excited.
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