I picked up the Ricoh GR IV earlier this month.

So obviously, the first thing to do was take it out into central London for some street photography.

A Day in London

Every camera has a weight to it. Not just physically, but socially. Larger cameras alter how people respond to you and the overall scene. They also change how you move.

The GR IV feels almost invisible. It looks like a small, cheap point-and-shoot, which means you can shoot in most situations without drawing attention. For street photography, that really helps.

First Impressions of the Ricoh GR IV

This isn’t a full review. Just a couple of initial thoughts after a day of shooting.

The APS-C sensor in a body this small is still what makes the GR series unique. You’re getting image quality comparable to something like a Fujifilm X-series camera, but in something that fits in your pocket.

There isn’t really another company making a camera like this right now.

The GR IV only comes in an 18mm version, and I actually prefer it over 28mm for an everyday carry camera. If this is something you’re using to document life, the wider field of view just makes sense.

Autofocus, in my short time with the GRIV, felt quick and reliable. In certain situations it even felt more consistent than my Fuji bodies.

Battery life surprised me too. I shot around 300 to 400 photos today and still had charge left. That’s a noticeable improvement over the GR III.

One strange decision is the move to microSD instead of full-size SD, which did catch me off guard. However, the Ricoh GR IV has just over 50GB of internal storage, which works out to roughly 900 RAW files. That was actually a lifesaver today, as I didn’t have a microSD card with me.

GR III vs GR IV

If you already own the GR III, is it worth upgrading? Honestly, it’s hard to say.

The GR IV is slightly smaller, feels a bit faster, and there are improvements to the lens, sensor, and autofocus. I also prefer the new exposure compensation button layout compared to the wheel and rocker on the GR III.

But it’s still not weather resistant. The video specs are still poor. This is very much a photography-first camera.

If you already have the GR III and you’re happy with it, I wouldn’t rush to upgrade.

Photography Doesn’t Need to Be Complicated

Cameras like this remind me that photography doesn’t need to be complicated. The GR IV isn’t perfect. But it’s fun. And sometimes that matters more than specs.

I’ll share a full review after a couple of months of proper use. For now, these are just first impressions after a day in London.

I also posted an episode on YouTube where you can see more photos I took with the Ricoh GR IV.