In 2026, Ricoh will celebrate 30 years since the release of the GR1 camera (see eBay listings):
“This year, the GR celebrates the 30th anniversary of the release of the GR1. We’re planning various fun events to give back to those who have supported the GR, so please look forward to them. We’d love to express our gratitude to you all!”
History of Ricoh GR cameras:
- 1996: Ricoh GR1 – The first model in the series, a high-quality 35mm film compact camera featuring a fixed 28mm f/2.8 lens, known for its compact design and fast handling suited for street photography.
- 1998: Ricoh GR10 and GR1s – Entry-level GR10 with simplified features; GR1s as an updated version of the GR1 with minor improvements like date imprinting.
- 2001: Ricoh GR21 and GR1v – GR21 introduced a wider 21mm f/3.5 lens; GR1v refined the original GR1 with added manual focus and exposure compensation.
- 2005: Ricoh GR Digital – Transition to digital with an 8.1MP 1/1.8-inch CCD sensor and 28mm-equivalent f/2.4 lens, maintaining the compact body and intuitive controls of the film series.
- 2007: Ricoh GR Digital II – Upgraded to a 10MP sensor, added RAW support and improved noise reduction.
- 2009: Ricoh GR Digital III – Featured a brighter f/1.9 lens, faster autofocus, and enhanced image processing.
- 2011: Ricoh GR Digital IV – Introduced hybrid autofocus, a 10MP sensor with better low-light performance, and added features like interval shooting.
- 2013: Ricoh GR – Major shift to a larger APS-C 16MP sensor with a 28mm-equivalent f/2.8 lens, dropping “Digital” from the name; praised for DSLR-like image quality in a pocketable form.
- 2015: Ricoh GR II – Added Wi-Fi/NFC connectivity, improved white balance, and minor refinements while retaining the 16MP APS-C sensor.
- 2019: Ricoh GR III – Upgraded to a 24MP APS-C sensor, added in-body image stabilization (IBIS), phase-detect autofocus, and a touchscreen interface.
- 2021: Ricoh GR IIIx – Variant with a 40mm-equivalent f/2.8 lens for a more “normal” perspective, sharing the 24MP sensor and features of the GR III.
- 2024: Ricoh GR III HDF and GR IIIx HDF – Special editions adding a built-in Highlight Diffusion Filter (HDF) for softer, film-like rendering in high-contrast scenes.
- 2025: Ricoh GR IV – Latest model with evolutionary updates including improved processing, enhanced autofocus, and continued focus on pocketable high-performance photography.
- December 2025: Ricoh GR IV HDF – Variant of the GR IV incorporating the Highlight Diffusion Filter for creative effects.
