In an era where pocketable digital cameras are surging in popularity, two models have stood out among enthusiasts and TikTok creators alike: the Fujifilm X100VI and the Ricoh GR III. While the GR III’s smaller form factor made it the go-to point-and-shoot option for many, Ricoh has finally answered the call for an update after six long years. Enter the new Ricoh GR IV, now officially launched in Malaysia via local distributer Futuromic.
The GR IV brings a host of meaningful upgrades while retaining the compact, no-frills form factor the series is known for. It now sports a newly designed GR LENS 18.3mm F2.8, delivering the same 28mm equivalent field of view with a bright f/2.8 aperture. The lens is constructed of seven elements in five groups, including glass-molded aspherical and low-dispersion elements, promising sharper resolution edge to edge while reducing distortion and chromatic aberration.
At its core sits a new back-illuminated APS-C CMOS sensor with 25.7MP of effective resolution, paired with the updated GR ENGINE 7 imaging engine. Together with Ricoh’s dedicated accelerator unit, the GR IV pushes sensitivity up to ISO 204800 while keeping noise under control.
Stabilization has also seen a major boost. The built-in five-axis SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism, assisted by a refined algorithm, compensates for camera shake by up to six stops. This minimizes the effects of pitch, yaw, roll, and even shift — especially handy for macro photography.
On the handling front, the GR IV features a slimmer body than its predecessors for a more secure hold, complemented by a contoured thumb grip. Controls have been redesigned as well, with the ADJ lever now swapped for a dial, while the magnesium alloy frame ensures both light weight and durability.
Ricoh has even introduced a new Cinema mode, designed to emulate the look of nostalgic film-format movies. In addition to the usual adjustments for saturation, hue, contrast, and grain, this mode gives creators more flexibility to experiment with mood and style straight out of camera.
The Ricoh GR IV retails at RM5,999 in Malaysia, though initial pre-order units sold out almost immediately. According to Futuromic, another batch may be on the way, but for now, eager photographers will just have to stay tuned to the local distributer’s social media pages.