Ricoh & Pentax rumors 2026
Being one of the most intriguing camera brands in the business, there are plenty of Ricoh rumors to digest – particularly as it also makes Pentax cameras. This is a manufacturer that truly marches to the beat of its own drum.
It remains absolutely adamant that it won't be going mirrorless with its Pentax brand (after briefly flirting with the Pentax Q mirrorless system years ago) and instead will concentrate on making the best DSLRs – a category that Canon and Nikon both support with existing models, but are no longer developing new products.
It's also going to keep cranking out some of the best compact cameras, with the recently released Ricoh GR IV and its ongoing line of Pentax waterproof cameras.
Its most exciting plans, however, revolve around the renaissance of analog photography. Some of the best film cameras in history have born the Pentax name, and the first new entry in 21 years – the Pentax 17 half-frame camera – sought to start that tradition all over again… though the project is currently on hold.
So what exactly is the company up to? Here are the latest Ricoh and Pentax rumors…
"New concept" DSLR cameras
Ricoh shocked the world by announcing that it had discontinued its entire line of Pentax cameras using the K-mount.
Ergo, K cameras that were previously rumored (and even teased by the company) like the Pentax K-1 Mark III and Pentax K-3 Mark IV have been axed. Or at least, won't appear under those names.
The manufacturer announced that it is developing "a new series of digital SLR cameras based on an entirely new concept."
No details were revealed, other than the fact that these cameras will still use the K mount. So it's entirely possible that the K-1 Mark III and K-3 Mark IV might be retooled into this mysterious new concept.
Ricoh GR IVx
It seems like a no-brainer that the GR IV will follow the template of the GR III when it comes to variants and special editions. As much was confirmed, when Ricoh revealed the a GR IV HDF was on the way – so it's almost certain that a Ricoh GR IVx will join the lineup sooner than later.
The key strength of fixed-lens compact cameras is also a key weakness: the lens is fixed. The Ricoh GR IIIx addressed this, offering identical tech to the Ricoh GR III but with a longer 28mm lens (compared to the original's 18.3mm).
This set a new industry trend, with the Leica Q3 43 (offering a 43mm lens compared to the Leica Q3's 28mm) following Ricoh's lead, so it's a safe bet that a Ricoh GR IVx with a 28mm lens is incoming.
Pentax Film Project on hold
Pentax's film camera development was dealt a huge blow in March 2025 when Takeo "TKO" Suzuki, lead designer of the Pentax 17 (and other Pentax digital cameras), announced his retirement.
Concurrently, if not consequently, Pentax stated that "we need time to gather feedback, meet with customers, and learn what they appreciated – or felt was missing – before making decisions on future film products."
The company noted that, "while TKO played a significant role in the Pentax Film Project, his departure does not affect the possibility of future film models" – though it's obviously hard not to join those particular dots.
Either way, it appears that rumored plans for one more affordable compact camera (perhaps, per Pentax / Ricoh tradition, with a different focal length) and two traditional SLRs are on hold for now.
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