The Ricoh Gr IV is the premium compact and Fujfilm X100VI rival that many enthusiastic photographers have been waiting. This week, finally, early orders were launched.
One would think that I would be happy, but as a user (mostly) satisfied from Ricoh Gr III for several years, it disappointed me a lot when I saw the specifications and the first images of products: the GR IV seems like a really minor update.
I gathered my wishes Ricoh Gr IV a long time ago, and it seems that I will have to wait and pray for the next generation to deliver.
Yes, my best desire for the new model was that it remained as small as its predecessor. Ricoh was better in making the GR IV even thinner … fractionally. However, maintaining something the same is not a reason to update, right?
Best automatic approach was another desire. I have not yet used the new GR IV, but Ricoh’s first practical video suggests that the automatic approach is a little faster, but only because of the steps. Again, there is not enough reason to update.
And here comes the true bite in the tail: Ricoh has hit fans with a large price increase, especially for buyers in the United States. The new GR IV costs $ 1,499 / £ 1,199 / AU $ 2,099. Oh.
There is simply no way that a camera with updates this child can deserve a price increase (around 20-35%, depending on where they live).
The sensor only sees a small resolution, from 24MP to 26MP. There is a new 28 mm f/2.8 lens, but it is not yet clear if it is remarkably better.
I wanted an inclination screen, but we still have a fixed. I asked for a built -in flash, but again, that’s a no. Better construction quality? You guessed it, no.
However, here we are with a strong price increase that pushes the new model to a category with much more fierce rivals, such as the powerful (although more voluminous) X100VI.
The GR series has sat comfortably around $ 1,000 / £ 900 for years (with a slight increase in the price due in part, without a doubt, to demand). That price feels fair.
If the price of the new model were almost the same as before, I would tempt myself. But if I am buying something this week, it will be the new and brilliant GF-2 external flash of Ricoh ($ 119.95 / £ 99 / AU $ TBC).
The new flash pistol is rlota in the Hoteshoe of the camera and is properly small, it is also compatible with my GR III (although at the time of launch, the automatic exposure is not compatible with the oldest models, Ricoh says that it will come through a firmware update).
I prefer the flash to be integrated into the camera, but at least there is a good external option now.
With the GR IV, I think Ricoh has been stingy and greedy at once, even if I am delighted to have kept the series alive.
Do you want my advice? If you are interested in the GR series, and it should be, the GR III is one of the best cameras of aiming and shooting with a superior image quality of a genuinely compact in pocket, then I suggest saving some cash buying the oldest rich gr III instead of the GR IV. However, you must hurry to take one while the actions last. Ricoh has been discontinued.
