This compact camera with 40mm lens mirroring human vision and no distracting viewfinder could be the ultimate street camera

Some months ago, I wrote about my chequered experience with street photography for AP and how, on occasion, I've been physically threatened for squeezing the shutter release button. Since then, I've noticed other photographers writing about their own frustrating experiences when taking pictures in public. Our shared conclusion is that if you're using a smartphone in a crowd nobody blinks an eyelid. However, if, alternatively, you pull out a 'professional looking' camera, you can often be viewed with, at best, suspicion, at worst actual aggression. Factor in the recent confused UK Govt 'advice' aimed at asylum seekers regarding photography in public places and it's only getting worse for those of us who love the classic fly-on-the-wall shooting approach, favourited by masters of photography like Cartier-Bresson or Martin Parr. The irony is of course, if you're someone actively up to no good, it's much easier to use a smartphone to covertly capture and share images, than it is a dedicated compact camera without a direct Internet connection. Which brings me to the recently announced exciting development of a new high-end compact, the Ricoh GR IVx. This latest in a long line of GR digital compacts is due to arrive toward the back end of 2026, marking the 30th anniversary of the much-acclaimed GR1 35mm film camera, originally launched 1996. Consistency of excellence When I worked on AP's sister title What Digital Camera in the early 2000's, sharing a basement office with the stockroom of Camera World, a floor above us, the GR1 was a consistent strong seller, greatly admired by staff for the quality of its candid snapshots; indeed, it was the camera that got recommended most often by the retailer. So, there was much excitement when 2005's GR Digital appeared. To my eyes, the 25.74MP APS-C sensor incorporating GR IVx looks set to continue that successful legacy, allowing high quality, spur-of-the-moment urban and street photography without intrusive bulk – with re-designed fixed 40mm f/2.8 prime lens mimicking human vision. Add to the above promising spec newly-introduced five axis image stabilisation, theoretically improving the three-axis anti shake found in the GRIIIx, and the forthcoming camera would seem to be ever more ideal for non intrusive, handheld street snappers. I often find it's the point at which you raise a dedicated camera to your eye for street photography that any passers-by get anxious, so the fact that the GR IVx doesn't feature an eye-level viewfinder should continue to prove a boon for urban shooters. A generous 53GB of internal memory means we won't need to pause our creative flow to swap out removable media cards any time soon either. Using a Ricoh GR IV Monochrome with the screen only may not be for everyone. Photo Andy Westlake While I'll not be primarily considering this compact for its introduction of 4K video capture, a first for this range, it nevertheless feels like a long overdue and necessary upgrade, especially for content creators. We'll have a short wait now until its appearance, to see how well the GR IVx holds up in terms of image quality and performance. But here's hoping this small black box with big potential proves as practical and useful a tool for street photographers wishing to practice their art non intrusively as initial spec suggests. If it does, then Ricoh should have the latest in a long line of winners on its hands. The views expressed in this column are not necessarily those of Amateur Photographer magazine or Kelsey Media Limited. If you have an opinion you'd like to share on this topic, or any other photography related subject, email: [email protected] Related reading: Do you want to win some great prizes for your photography? Enter your photos in our International Amateur Photographer of the Year competition. Free entry for photographers aged 13-21. Follow AP on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Irys.