Ricoh GRIV Announcement

[JohnGellings]

This latest iteration sounds like a logical product refresh, mandated by components for the older models being discontinued.

Exactly, and all of those parts are more expensive than they used to be.

 

[Out to Lunch]

Japan has a 15% tariff to the US

I believe the camera is made in Vietnam, and so the tax would be 20%.

 

[olakiril]

Is there some evidence or a definitive statement about the sensor? Can you post a link/links? That YouTube video says the sensor from the K-3 iii or the Sony a6700. They are not the same sensor.

I think they are all different versions of the same sensor (IMX571). K3 has no PDAF, A6700 has 759 points and GRIV has 190. Fuji is also using custom version of it. It remains to be seen whether Ricoh believes there is a large enough market to justify custom ordering a monochrome version with PDAF from Sony. Lets hope they do...

P.S. For K3 monochrome the sensor was already produced for a lot of astrophotography cameras so the cost would be far lower than a new version with PDAF...

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

I believe the camera is made in Vietnam, and so the tax would be 20%.

Makes sense. $1,200 would make sense for this camera so the 15% moron tax—err, Trump tariff—takes it to $1,500.

 

[JohnGellings]

Makes sense. $1,200 would make sense for this camera so the 15% moron tax—err, Trump tariff—takes it to $1,500.

But it is expensive everywhere.

 

[dkreindler]

It's a tough pill to swallow considering I bought my GR II on sale in 2016 for $699 USD (on sale from $799 I believe). There was talk of Ricoh's imaging department really being on the ropes financially. DSLRs and the A7 dominated the market. Demand for compact cameras was slumping hard due to smartphones.

That $699 is $953 in 2025 dollars according to the BLS. My gut instinct is that the CPI is kept artificially low, but for simplicity's sake, let's assume that number. Now add the new sensor, IBIS, upgraded internal storage and other incremental improvements, plus the new fixed costs for manufacturing, overhead, marketing and any tariff related costs, plus Ricoh wanting to maximize profit after the hype of the GR III, years of financial struggles and a dwindling compact market leading to less competition. I can understand how Ricoh would price this at $1499, especially with my professional background (investment banking/private equity and product management for auto makers, where I had to price new vehicles and ensure we hit profit targets and minimizing discounts, which hurt resale values and our ability to lease cars at reasonable levels). On the other hand, I'm not blind to how this prices enthusiasts out of the market and hurts the hobby. I am hanging on to my GR II for now, but I would be very interested in a GR IVx.

One of the interesting second order effects is the lift in used camera values. I went to trade in some old gear, and the camera shop begged me to trade in my GR II with the GF-1 flash unit. The trade-in value exceeded my gently used D750, 85mm 1.8G, 24-70 2.8 and 24-120. And my GR II, while perfectly functional, looks horrendous and is missing the ring around the lens. Ultimately I declined, and I'm glad I did.

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

But it is expensive everywhere.

It's 194,800 yen in Japan; that works out to $1,326.43. Expensive, yes, but not as expensive as in the US. The tariffs are a tax on US consumers and the Japanese are not paying it.

 

[JohnGellings]

It's 194,800 yen in Japan; that works out to $1,326.43. Expensive, yes, but not as expensive as in the US. The tariffs are a tax on US consumers and the Japanese are not paying it.

Sure, but cameras do not always directly translate vs the exchange rate.

 

[Rayt]

It’s the exchange rate that makes camera gear cheaper in Japan. I bought a few things recently in Tokyo because of the exchange rate. If it was 130 yen to the dollar then they would have cost the same from B&H but add state sales tax.


*Sorry I was wrong. Checking what I paid again the US prices are around 15 to 20% higher before state sales tax.

 

[JeffS7444]

But it is expensive everywhere.

Maybe all regions absorb some of the burden. I imagine much is an "uncertainty surcharge", as the tariffs are only vaguely defined, and subject to change at any moment. Were I in the market for this camera, I'd roll my eyes, and suck up the $150 USA tax. But if the differences were closer to $500, I might be tempted to take a brief Canadian holiday.

 

[JohnGellings]

It’s the exchange rate that makes camera gear cheaper in Japan. I bought a few things recently in Tokyo because of the exchange rate. If it was 130 yen to the dollar then they would have cost the same from B&H but add state sales tax.

Sure. However, in Chile... they just take the US price and add zeros. 1500 ... ok, so 1.500.000CLP which would only work if the USD was 1:1000 vs the CLP, which it is not. It is even worse at times. There were times Japan was more expensive than the USA.

A weird one happened for me recently... I actually bought the Fuji X-Half for cheaper than the USA in Chile.

 

[cboy]

2c. Been around the block enough times to not be swayed on latest and greatest and to think the newest snapshot camera equates to me taking better photos. It's been a long time coming for GR fan like myself to wait for what seems a 'refined' incremental improvement on the GR3 . I'll wait for more in-depth reviews to fork out that much on a lifestyle snapshot camera.

The only reason I would upgrade is if the low light quality was greatly improved because that's was the only crux to what is already a great camera in the GR3

 

[JohnGellings]

The only reason I would upgrade is if the low light quality was greatly improved because that's was the only crux to what is already a great camera in the GR3

I'll save you some reading, it won´t be. 🙂

 

[Godfrey]

I guess I've become inured to the insane prices of today. $1500 doesn't seem out of line for nearly any quality modern camera.

To wit: a Leica M4-2, which I recall being a $900 or so camera in 1978 when they were new, tends to sell now in the $2000-$3000 range. I bought the one I have now in 2012 for $750, and another $100 or so paid for a viewfinder CLA .. Still working beautifully today. Should I sell it since I'd triple my money on it? No, of course not.

The Ricoh GR IV is a niche camera built for a specific audience, with an exemplary lens and excellent features, as well as small size and light weight. Those who value what it offers will not find the price unbearable. Those who value everything by how much it costs will not buy it. That's just the way it is.

What else is interesting about it, disregarding the sticker shock? That's the interesting stuff to know... 😉

G