The Ricoh GR IV is a rare camera that actually fits in a pocket and still gives you an APS-C sensor. If you care about image quality but refuse to carry a heavy kit, this one forces a serious conversation.
Coming to you from Benj Haisch, this practical video takes a close look at the Ricoh GR IV and explains why it stands apart from most fixed-lens cameras. On paper, it may look similar to the GR III, but nearly every core component has been redesigned. The sensor, processor, and lens have all been updated. The lens is sharper and the autofocus is faster. The improvements are subtle in a spec sheet and obvious when shooting. You get an APS-C sensor in a body that is smaller than many compact film cameras from the 90s.
Size is the headline here. This camera legitimately fits in standard pants pockets. Not jacket pockets. Not cargo pants. Regular pockets. Most interchangeable-lens bodies, even small ones, cannot claim that. Haisch compares it to older film point-and-shoot models and even to larger fixed-lens options like the Sony RX1R III. Next to those, the GR IV looks tiny. Even cameras known for being compact feel bulky in comparison once you see them side by side.
There are trade-offs. There is no built-in viewfinder. If you are used to raising a camera to your eye, that adjustment takes time. There is also no built-in flash, which changes how you approach that direct-flash look many people associate with compact cameras. An external flash is available, but that adds bulk. Autofocus is improved over earlier GR models, yet it does not match the tracking performance of high-end Sony bodies. In fast-moving situations, you will notice the difference. There are moments where focus can miss, even in scenes that seem simple. You need to understand that before expecting flagship performance.
The bigger question raised in the video is whether a dedicated camera like this makes sense when a phone is always in your pocket. Haisch makes a clear point. A phone may be the most convenient and most used camera in the world, but it is still a multipurpose device. The GR IV is a single-purpose tool. When you pick it up, you are there to make photos. That shift in mindset changes how you work. The files hold up well, even at larger print sizes like 16×20. This is not positioned as a primary landscape body or sports camera. It is a companion. A travel camera. A daily carry that delivers real image quality without demanding space in a bag.
You start to see who this camera is actually for. It is not for someone chasing specs. It is for someone who values portability but refuses to settle for phone files. It also competes in an interesting way with cameras like the Fujifilm X100 series. Those are compact, but they are not truly pocketable. The GR IV takes the idea of a high-quality fixed-lens camera and pushes it closer to the original meaning of point-and-shoot.
If you have ever left a larger camera at home because it felt like too much effort, this discussion will hit close to home. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Haisch.