One of my best camera purchases finally gets a successor after 6 years

The Ricoh GR III from Patrick is either in the jacket pocket or just charging. (Image: Gamestar Tech, Patrick)

Small cameras are extremely successful. This is shown by the list of the 20 best -selling cameras in 2024 of a Japanese specialist dealer in which the Ricoh GR IIX can be found in 8th place – and rightly so, I think!

The camera has now been on its hump for over six years.

Thanks to its form factor, the GR III (X) fits almost every bag and is extremely powerful. With her I was able to capture nice moments and pictures because there is hardly an excuse not to take her with me.

Now the manufacturer has finally announced a successor to come onto the market this year. But what distinguishes this camera?

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Patrick has photographed since 2017, with small breaks in between. In 2024 he treated himself to the Ricoh GR III and she taught him one thing above all: never underestimate small cameras! Since he bought the part, he has photographed significantly more because she is almost always there. She does not replace his workhorse, but she shouldn’t.

What distinguishes the Ricoh GR III

“Powerful with a very comfortable form factor.” So I describe the Ricoh GR III in one sentence. The camera offers everything you need on the go to take hands with handsome photos with as much control and high ergonomics as possible. All settings can be reached comfortably with one hand.

For me, the Ricoh GR III has the cameras of flagship smartphones Due to the combination of comfort, ergonomics, sensor and focal length obsolete.

• The Ricoh GR III is equipped with an APS-C sensor that is significantly larger than that of smartphones.
• This results in sharp images, a natural bokeh (background blur) and a high dynamic range.
• Even in poor lighting conditions, the camera can still achieve good results thanks to the relatively high light intensity of the lens (f/2.8) and the built -in stabilizer.
• Depending on the model, the manufacturer uses the camera on a 28 millimeter lens. A focal length that I prefer to work with.
• Three profiles are also integrated on the camera itself, which can be occupied with your own settings. Turn a few times and the saved settings are called up. Practical.

Notice: If you want to examine the images in full resolution, click on and select the »Show in original size« option at the bottom left.

These profiles are helpful in the many film simulations that Ricoh has integrated into the camera. Optionally, the existing color profiles can also be processed according to your own taste. The basis for this is numerous “recipes” that can be found on the Internet or in an app.

The disadvantages cannot be dismissed out of hand

Please don’t get me wrong: Smartphone cameras are sufficient for people-for good reason. Yes, the Ricoh is compact, but cannot beat the form factor of a smartphone that is also getting narrower.

In addition, thanks to several lenses (wide angle, ultra -wake angle, tele), smartphones offer more flexibility. Not all lenses are equally powerful, but the trend towards better sensors and lenses for smartphone cameras is continuous, albeit gradually.

When it comes to video recordings, the camera with modern smartphones does not come along anyway. Fairly, the camera is mainly designed as a photo camera. In my opinion, the manufacturer should completely discard the video functions and focus on the essentials: photos.

Last but not least, pictures and videos on your cell phone can be shared with friends and family and edited on the device yourself in an emergency.

The Ricoh GR, on the other hand, is rather a tool for “serious photographers” who want the highest possible degree of creative control.

What the new Ricoh GR IV wants to do better

So much for the concept of the manufacturer. But what exactly improves the new Ricoh announced for autumn 2025? The improvements can be broken down to the following points:

• New sensor: The camera has a new 25.7 megapixel APS-C sensor.
• Improved image quality: The new sensor and a newly developed lens should achieve an even better image quality.
• Image stabilization: The sensor is stabilized on five axes (previously three axes).
• Higher sensitivity to light: The camera supports a sensitivity to light from ISO 100 to 204,800.
• Revised control element: The thumb wheel on the back is in favor of a new plus minus rocker.
• memory: The internal memory grows to around 50 GB.

The fourth generation hardly develops and looks confusingly similar to its predecessor. (Image: Ricoh)

What unfortunately still lacks is a weather resistance. In my opinion, the manufacturer misses the greatest weakness of the Ricoh camera. The performance of the camera is already more than sufficient and actually does not need upgrade – at least not for me.

Of course, Ricoh has to breastfeed the need for a new model after six years. This can have its good sides in two ways.

The Ricoh GR III could be cheap soon

The announcement of a successor potentially brings with it a positive side effect. Owners of a Ricoh GR III may switch to the new model and sell your old camera cheaper on various platforms.

The camera still costs around 1,050 euros. Used, sometimes it goes away for 800 euros, sometimes less. This is a lot of money for a camera that came onto the market in 2019.

So if you are thinking about buying a compact (second) camera, you may have a good opportunity in a few months.

What the successor to the popular compact camera actually has on the boxwe are expected to only find out at the end of the year. Even if the purchase is out of the question for me, I look forward to seeing the first tests and impressions.

Now I’m interested in your opinion on the topic (compact) cameras! What do you generally think of small cameras and smartphone cameras? Is the smartphone camera enough for you or do you prefer to carry a DSLR/DSLM with you through the area? Which camera do you put on? Feel free to write it in the comments below!