Ricoh GR IVx: The 40mm Compact With 4K That GR Fans Actually Wanted
PhotographyRicoh has confirmed what compact camera enthusiasts have been speculating about for months: the GR IVx is in active development, and it is a meaningfully different camera from both the GR IV and the GR IIIx it replaces.
What Happened
Ricoh’s official announcement confirms the GR IVx will feature a 40mm-equivalent focal length (26.1mm actual) rather than the 28mm equivalent used in the GR IV. The lens is newly developed — eight elements in six groups, including three aspherical elements, with an aperture range of f/2.8 to f/16 and a built-in two-stop ND filter. The sensor carries over from the GR IV at 25.7 megapixels.
What the development announcement added beyond the optical specification: 5-axis sensor-shift shake reduction, a significant upgrade over the 3-axis SR found in the GR IIIx, and 4K video recording at 30/24p — the first time video has been a genuine feature in the GR series rather than an afterthought. Ricoh stated the GR IVx “will be equipped with a newly developed GR lens to further expand the expressive capabilities of the RICOH GR IV.” Launch is targeted for Winter 2026 or later.
Production of the GR IIIx is concluding after October 2026 shipments, clearing the way for the new model.
Why It Matters for Builders
The shift from 28mm to 40mm is not a specification change — it’s an editorial statement. The 28mm equivalent has defined the GR series for three decades, chosen specifically for its ability to capture environmental context around a subject without distortion. The 40mm equivalent is closer to human field of vision, better suited to subject isolation in street and documentary contexts where the GR audience gravitates.
The GR IIIx already made that 40mm shift (as the “x” in its name indicated) and built a devoted user base around it. The GR IVx extends the lineage with modern hardware: the faster sensor from the GR IV, the upgraded stabilization system, and the addition of 4K video for users who want a capable hybrid tool that still fits in a jacket pocket.
The absence of a specific release date or price is expected at the development announcement stage. Ricoh has historically kept the GR line at a premium but accessible price point — the GR IIIx launched around $999. What matters for buyers right now: the GR IIIx will not be restocked after October, so anyone considering that camera should act on existing inventory if a confirmed product is preferred over a development promise.
DPReview’s coverage of Ricoh’s development announcement confirms the 4K addition as a deliberate response to user demand that the current GR IV did not address.
The So What
The GR IVx is the 40mm GR that the GR IIIx proved there was an audience for, now updated with hardware that makes it the most capable compact in the GR series by most measurable criteria. For photographers who have been watching the compact camera market consolidate, this is the GR that validates staying patient. Winter 2026 is the target; if the IBIS and 4K hold up in real-world use, it will be the benchmark small-sensor compact camera — not just for street photographers, but for anyone who wants a pocketable camera that takes the craft seriously.
Source: PetaPixel
Content created with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.
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