The Ricoh Gr IV is the Premium Compact and Fujfilm X100Vi rival that many exciting photographers were waiting. This week, finally, pre -orders have become online.
You might think that I would be happy, but as a user (mainly) satisfied with Ricoh Gr III for several years, I was cruelly disappointed when I saw the specifications and the first images of the product – the GR IV is like a really minor upgrade.
I have set up my list of wishes Ricoh Gr IV a long time ago, and it seems that I will have to hope and pray that the next book generation.
Yes, my best wish for the new model was that it remained as small as its predecessor. Ricoh went better by making the GR IV even thinner … fractionally. However, keeping something of the same is hardly a reason to upgrade, right?
Another wish for me. I have not yet used the new GR IV, but the first practical video of Ricoh ambassador suggests that the autofocus is slightly faster, but only by baby stages. Again, not enough reason to upgrade.
And here is the real bite in the tail – Ricoh struck fans with a huge price hike, especially for buyers in the United States. The new GR IV costs $ 1,499 / £ 1 199 £ / $ 2,099 in. Ouch.
There is simply no way that a camera with updates of this minor can deserve such a price increase (from around 20 to 35%, depending on where you live).
The sensor sees only a small resolution bump – from 24 MP to 26 MP. There is a new lens of 28 mm f / 2.8, but it is not clear for me if it is significantly better.
I wanted an inclination screen, but we still have a fixed. I asked for an integrated flash, but again, it’s a no. Better construction quality? You guessed it – no.
However, here we are with a strong price increase that grows the new model in a category with a lot of more ferocious rivals, like the powerful (although larger) x100Vi.
The GR series has comfortably seated around $ 1,000 / 900 for years (with a slight price increase due in part, without a doubt, on demand). This price is right.
If the price of the new model was almost the same as before, I would be tempted. But if I buy something this week, it will be the new GF-2 external flash from Ricoh ($ 119.95 / £ 99 / at $ TBC).
The new flash pistol is hidden in the Hosthoe of the camera and is properly tiny, and it is compatible with my GR III (although at the time of the output, the automatic exposure is not supported for the older models – Ricoh says that this will come via an update of the firmware).
I prefer that the flash is integrated into the camera, but at least there is a good external option now.
With the GR IV, I think Ricoh was stingy and delicious in a single blow, even if I am delighted, he maintained the series alive.
Do you want my advice? If you like the GR series – and you should be, the GR III is one of the best point and shoot cameras with a superior image quality from a truly Pochable compact – then I suggest saving money by buying the old Ricoh Gr III instead of GR IV. However, you will have to hurry to take one until the last time. Ricoh interrupted him.
