Pentax hasn’t abandoned DSLRs – but it’s the compact camera comeback craze that’s giving Ricoh cameras a much-needed boost

Ricoh, a camera company with a commitment to DSLRs, is experiencing growth due to the popularity of its compact camera series, notably the Ricoh GR series. In its latest financial report, published on August 03, the company attributed a significant portion of its profitability to the camera segment. The Ricoh GR series, known for its compact form and capable APS-C sensor, has been a favorite among street photographers.

The long-awaited Ricoh GR IV, launched in September 2025, has contributed to a surge in sales. The camera series, which falls under the "Other" category in the company's financial reports, has shifted from a negative operating profit in the first quarter of 2025 to a positive one. Director and CFO Takashi Kawaguchi attributed this growth to the strong performance of the Ricoh GR series.

Sales in the "other" category, which includes cameras, increased by 27.7 percent compared to the same period last year, despite potential price changes due to rising costs for memory driven by AI demand. The GR IV series is complemented by the Ricoh GR IV HDF, featuring an integrated diffusion filter, and the Ricoh GR IV Monochrome, designed specifically for black-and-white photography.

These new models add to a list of advanced compact cameras that offer a balance between size and image quality, making the GR IV series a standout choice for many photographers.