Ricoh GR IV Insane Pricing - What Are Your Thoughts?

sauce2k on 22/08/2025 - 10:44
Last edited 22/08/2025 - 11:01 by 1 other user

Hey fellow photographers, keen to hear your thoughts as GRIV is now available for pre-order.

Really curious if GR3 users will upgrade?

I've always been a FUJI user but been wanting to get a pocket camera to carry around. Got sick of carrying my gears in Japan even with the pancake lens it was kinda annoying.

What really shocked me is the pricing…I've never thought it will become a sub $2k camera because at this price you could get some really good cameras!

Currently I'm thinking to buy a second hand GR3 instead…

Poll Options

  • 4
    Yep definitely getting.
  • 15
    Nope no way. The pricing is cooked.
  • 1
    Will see how it performs
Electrical & Electronics Camera Ricoh

Comments

  • payless69 on 22/08/2025 - 10:54

    nice cam.
    are horses in Japan the same size?

  • dunker56 on 22/08/2025 - 11:04
    +3

    I shoot professionally with 3x XH2S's as well as owning the GRIIIx. The GRIV I think is a step in the right direction, and when we compare it to the recent point and shoot releases it actually makes the Ricoh engineers appear God tier level.
    The shortcomings of the GRIIIx seem well address to me by this GRIV variant, mainly in terms of operation and lower light AF performance.

    But one thing should be really noted about the GR series, this thing is a completely different tool, you interact with it completely different to any normal camera, it more closely resembles a smartphone use. It's a camera with high IQ that fits in your front jeans pocket. No X100, Sony or RF is gonna be able to do that. IQ is astounding (exhibition worthy). All you have to decide is whether it means a lot to being able to pocket a camera like this… or not. If you're debating between this camera or an X100 or whatever, the pocket thing is not really high up on your list and possibly you'll be finding better value elsewhere. The real debate should be whether you buy this or plough your funds into a smartphone with excellent photography reputation.

    Just my 2 cents.

    Personally I was hoping for a native 21mm FFE focal option from the GRIV. Or a Mono GR I think would tempt me to upgrade.
    Prices are going insane everywhere, I actually don't find $2000AUD a ridiculous amount for this thing, your problem is going to be getting one.

    • sauce2k on 22/08/2025 - 11:07

      Thanks for sharing. The Smart Phone comment hits for me….I will be getting the upcoming 17pro max, so it's another reason I'm having a tough time to decide whether or not to get this camera :|

  • pharkurnell on 22/08/2025 - 11:13
    +1

    Personally I never rush out and buy something as soon as released
    Its usually more expensive, and if you wait any bugs will have been ironed out.

  • nandystam on 22/08/2025 - 11:16

    The GRs are great cameras, if your use case aligns. However one of the biggest drawbacks across the whole series has been the issue of dust getting on the sensor. The GR is not alone with this problem (e.g. Panasonic LX100 series) so the key will be how well the sensor cleaning tech works.

    Otherwise you may have to enjoy using the clone or healing brush tool a lot :)

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 22/08/2025 - 11:41
    +1

    considering the pricing for everything else i thought it was quite reasonable.
    prob try to see if ebay has the 15-20% stacks.
    Eg i got my xm5 kit for 17% off via ebay on release week.

  • Caped Baldy on 22/08/2025 - 12:00

    Laughs in RX1R III.

    • nubix on 22/08/2025 - 13:06
      +1

      jeez that's almost a GFX100RF

      • Caped Baldy on 22/08/2025 - 13:17

        It's absurd and we don't have the American sized tariffs either. Can easily get the A7CR with a few spare lenses.

  • TwentyTwoCarats on 22/08/2025 - 16:02

    I have been wanting to get a camera for ages and settled on waiting for the GR IV but god damn it is so expensive.

    I’m just looking for something that is super portable, doesnt need any extra equipment, lenses, whatever. Anything to get that real photographic look, unlike the saturated oil paintings that smartphones produce (especially iPhone).

    I found the GR III (and IV) to be my best bet.

    Can anyone advise anything else that’s cheaper than the GR IV?

    Don’t want the Sony RXVIII or something - the variable aperture seems nice but tbh photo quality is not crisp like a GR III. I don’t care about being fixed to 28mm or 30mm.

    • nandystam on 22/08/2025 - 18:39

      If you want to delve into the used market maybe consider the original GR /GR II, Coolpix A or early models of the Fuji X100. They may not be priced at what you expect but there's the options.

      If you want something with a zoom, the Fuji X10/20/30 or Panasonic LX100 range are similar but sacrifice sensor size.

    • sauce2k on 23/08/2025 - 07:17

      Why not GR3 second hand?

    • brendanm on 23/08/2025 - 10:34

      Sigma DP Merril.

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