Ricoh launched the
GR III
back in 2019, with
GR IIIx
In 2023, the final APS-C
compact camera
From the organization, prior to their silence. Given the rise of portable gadgets nowadays, and
Ricoh
hinting at a new
Canon camera at the CP+ Expo
, our hopes of getting a new addition to the series are far higher. But now, it seems like our wish is finally being answered, especially since Ricoh filed a new patent for
wide-angle
Lenses designed for APS-C cameras might be coming out for the much-anticipated GR IV. Wondering what their focal lengths are? Take a glance below.
In a report by
Asobinet
, Ricoh has reportedly filed patent
P2025069515
On May 1, this event highlights lens designs with focal lengths of 16mm f/2.8, 17mm f/2.8, and 18mm f/2.8. These lenses are intended to offer a more compact size without compromising quality.
autofocus
These systems might suggest improvements in lenses for enhancing the optical performance of the GR IV.
The patent indicates that the initial pair of lens assemblies are intended to “shift” during focus adjustments, whereas the third assembly is meant to remain stationary. It remains unclear precisely what this entails and how these movements occur; however, we speculate it likely involves the autofocus mechanisms, which might shift the lens components when adjusting focus. Additionally, the document mentions that the lenses will be compact and incorporate aspherical surfaces for managing distortions. This configuration will influence the overall performance of the camera system.
GR
The series is renowned for its brevity.
The field of view currently spans between 37.9° and 42.4°, with an image height measuring approximately 14.13mm. Additionally, the rear focus region is expected to measure around 0.7mm. This patent filing underscores Ricoh’s dedication to unveiling a new GR series camera. Given the broad angular coverage along with a large maximum aperture, such a device would excel under various lighting conditions. Nevertheless, decreasing the minimum aperture to f/1.2 could significantly enhance low-light performance and yield even creamier background blur effects. To illustrate, consider our analysis in the following section:
GR III,
we noted, “It needs a faster lens or an APS-C sensor that is super clean beyond ISO 6400. By that, I mean that the output should be much cleaner than it is even when you embrace the noise.” And so, anything lower than f2.8 is significant.
Furthermore, with a slightly wide-angle lens, it gives photographers more room to add to the scene, since the Ricoh GR series is famous amongst street photographers. You can always work around the additional space, and you can move physically if you need to crop some scenes. However, the GR IIIx featured a new lens, which was a 26mm, a 40mm equivalent on a full frame, that gave really sharp images. But we had a minor issue.
As we said in our review:
“Featuring a control ring around the lens is a matter of personal choice — an aperture ring logically belongs on the lens, and it appears there was enough space for one.” Therefore, if the new lens includes this control ring, many might appreciate the enhanced functionality.
Although there isn’t much evidence suggesting that GR IV will arrive shortly, these patents might simply serve as part of the company’s R&D efforts without leading to an actual product. Alternatively, the final outcome could differ entirely from what the patent indicates, with possibly a completely new lens design being introduced upon launch. Regardless, it’s encouraging to observe the path Ricoh seems to be charting towards shaping its future roadmap.
