realme and RICOH IMAGING to Announce Official Strategic Partnership on Smartphone Imaging

Press text:

realme and RICOH IMAGING to Announce Official Strategic Partnership on Smartphone Imaging, Teasing the Industry’s Deepest Imaging Collaboration in Street Photography

realme and RICOH Imaging to announce long-term strategic partnership in smartphone imaging.
Four years in the making, this imaging collaboration will debut with the GT 8 Pro series and boasts deep customization to enhance every shutter press for users and co-promote street photography culture.

Shenzhen, CHINA – October 10, 2025 – realme, the world’s fastest-growing smartphone brand, today announced a strategic partnership with RICOH IMAGING COMPANY LTD., set to officially launch on October 14 in Beijing, China.

After four years of preparation, this collaboration is positioned as one of the industry’s most profound imaging partnerships. To celebrate, the two companies released the “4 Years in One Snap” video, highlighting four years of co-engineering and teasing features of their first co-created product, designed specifically for the realme GT 8 Pro.

A Joint Journey Starting from Mobile User Pain Points

In the video, realme Vice President and CMO Chase Xu discussed with Kazunobu Saiki, General Manager of Camera Business Division at RICOH IMAGING COMPANY LTD., the elements that brought two brands together, which grounded on a shared understanding of user demands. realme saw that young people struggled with two main pain points in mobile photography: increasingly similar hardware and over-processed algorithms that stripped photos of authenticity. “People are getting tired of the same ‘perfect style’ photos. More and more, everyone wants to show their own style, instead of copying the same look.” Chase Xu explained.

The RICOH GR series has been known as a “street photography hero” because of its sharp quality, portability, and quick response. “That’s exactly what we value,” Xu said. Saiki echoed this: “RICOH Imaging and realme share a base of young, creative users. Our collaboration is not only about innovation in products, but also about culture to inspire a new generation to enjoy street photography and discover the beauty of everyday life.”

This shared spirit is why the two brands came together: to give young people tools that allow for authentic capture and personal expression, carrying the tradition of conventional camera into mobile photography.

The GT 8 Pro Brings GR Heritage to Young People’s Pocket

Through extensive customizations between realme and RICOH GR’s R&D teams, the GT 8 Pro offers an unprecedented imaging experience, achieving groundbreaking innovations in optical capabilities, color algorithms, imaging tones, and a tailor-made UI design that mimics the feel of a RICOH GR camera.

This device seamlessly blends nearly 30 years of RICOH GR heritage, including its iconic film-like aesthetic and five classic image tones, with realme’s strengths in mobile imaging and profound insights into the preferences of current generations, creating a unique synergy that advances street photography culture through joint development and co-engineering. More than just a competition of specifications or uniform filters, it infuses mood and emotional warmth into every photo, encouraging young users to document their daily lives with authenticity.

“Snap By No Rules”

This partnership isn’t just about a product, it’s about extending street photography culture into the mobile era. 4 Years in One Snap marks a milestone, encouraging young people to freely record and express their lives. “It’s a fresh, young way to take photos. You don’t wait or try to make the perfect shot but just press the button and capture the moment — Snap by No Rules,” said Xu.

“Through this collaboration, we hope that even those who don’t usually use dedicated camera would experience snapshot photography with the GT 8 Pro,” Saiki noted.

The journey now heads toward October 14, when realme and Ricoh GR’s partnership will make its official debut, ushering in a new era of mobile street photography.

About realme

realme is a global consumer technology company disrupting the smartphone market by making cutting-edge technologies more accessible. It provides a range of smartphones and lifestyle technology devices with premium specs, quality, and trend-setting designs to young consumers. Established by Sky Li in 2018, realme has become one of the top 5 smartphone players in 30 markets globally in just three years, and realme has entered multiple markets worldwide, including China and Southeast Asia, South Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa, and has a global user base of over 300 million. 2024 is the year of rebranding for realme with its new slogan, “Make it real.” Under the new brand spirit, realme will focus more on young users than before and bring real, clear, and tangible benefits to their lives. For more information, please visit www.realme.com.

These were the bestselling cameras in Japan in September: Canon R10 on top!

BCN has released the detailed list of top-selling cameras for September. Their data covers roughly 50% of all Japanese retail stores, making it the most accurate snapshot of the market available.

Top 20 system cameras:

  1. Canon EOS R10 RF-S18-150mm IS STM Lens Kit
  2. Canon EOS R50 Double Zoom Kit Black
  3. Sony ZV-E10 II Double Zoom Lens Kit Black
  4. Fujifilm X-M5 XC15-45mm Lens Kit Silver
  5. Nikon Z30 Double Zoom Kit
  6. Sony ZV-E10 Power Zoom Lens Kit Black
  7. Canon EOS R50 Double Zoom Kit White
  8. Canon EOS RP RF24-105mm IS STM Lens Kit
  9. Sony a6400 Double Zoom Lens Kit Black
  10. Sony ZV-E10 II Power Zoom Lens Kit Black
  11. Sony a6400 Standard Zoom Lens Kit
  12. Nikon Z50 II Double Zoom Kit
  13. Panasonic Lumix G100D W Set
  14. Sony ZV-E10Y Double Zoom Lens Kit Black
  15. Sony ZV-E10L Power Zoom Lens Kit White
  16. Sony a6700 Standard Zoom Lens Kit
  17. Fujifilm X-M5 XC15-45mm Lens Kit Black
  18. Canon EOS R50 RF-S18-45mm IS STM Lens Kit Black
  19. Canon EOS R50 RF-S14-30mm IS STM Lens Kit Silver
  20. Nikon Zf 16-50mm VR Lens Kit Silver

Top 20 fixed lens cameras:

  1. Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III Black
  2. Kodak PIXPRO FZ55 Black
  3. Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Black
  4. Kodak PIXPRO C1 Black
  5. Panasonic Lumix TZ99 Black
  6. Kodak PIXPRO WPZ2 Yellow
  7. Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Silver
  8. Kodak PIXPRO FZ45 Black
  9. Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III Silver
  10. Kenko Tokina KC-AF11 BK
  11. Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo Black
  12. Kodak PIXPRO C1 Brown
  13. Kodak PIXPRO FZ55 Red
  14. Canon IXY 650 Silver
  15. Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo Brown
  16. Yashica movio MAF100 Digital Camera
  17. Ricoh GR IV
  18. Panasonic Lumix FZ85D Black
  19. Sony ZV-1F Black
  20. Panasonic Lumix TZ99 White

List of Leica products coming in October!

Here is the roadmap from Leica:

  • Leica Q3 Monochrom: Around October 16th
  • Leica M EV1: Around October 23rd
  • New Leitz phone (to be announced soon – probably the first week of October)
  • Leica SL3 Reporter (late 2025 holiday shopping season)
  • Leica M12 (2026)
  • Medium format mirrorless camera (2026?)
  • M-mount lens rumors (expected late 2025 or early 2026):
    • Noctilux M 35mm F1.2
    • APO-Summicron M 50mm F2 macro capabilities
  • L-mount lens rumors:
    • SL APO 135mm
    • SL 85mm F1.4 (probably based on a Sigma design)
    • 105mm
    • SL 18-50mm
    • SL APO-Summicron SL 24mm F2 ASPH
    • SL 28-105mm or 24-105mm F4

via Digicameinfo via Lr

The hotseller ar Yodobashi: Hasselblad X2DII, Ricoh GRIV and Sony 24-70 GMII

Yodobashi shared the list of best-selling gear in early September:

Top 10 Best-Selling SLR Cameras:

  1. Hasselblad X2D II 100C Body
  2. Sony α7C II Zoom Lens Kit (FE 28–60mm)
  3. Fujifilm X-M5 XC15–45mm Lens Kit
  4. Sony α7C II Body
  5. Canon EOS R5 Mark II Body
  6. Canon EOS R50 Double Zoom Kit
  7. Sony VLOGCAM ZV-E10 II Double Zoom Lens Kit
  8. Nikon Z50II Double Zoom Kit
  9. Sony VLOGCAM ZV-E10 II Power Zoom Lens Kit
  10. Canon EOS R6 Mark II Body

Top 10 Best-Selling Lenses:

  1. Sony FE 24–70mm F2.8 GM II
  2. Canon RF100–500mm F4.5–7.1 L IS USM
  3. Hasselblad XCD 2.5/55V
  4. Sony FE 70–200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
  5. Canon RF24–70mm F2.8 L IS USM
  6. Sigma 200mm F2 DG OS | Sports (E-mount)
  7. Canon RF70–200mm F2.8 L IS USM
  8. Sigma 16–300mm F3.5–6.7 DC OS | Contemporary (RF)
  9. Nikon NIKKOR Z 24–120mm f/4 S
  10. Canon RF100–400mm F5.6–8 IS USM

Top 10 Best-Selling Compact Digital Cameras:

  1. Ricoh GR IV
  2. Canon PowerShot SX740 HS
  3. Sony VLOGCAM ZV-1 II
  4. Panasonic LUMIX TZ99
  5. Fujifilm X Half
  6. Sony Cyber-shot RX1R III
  7. Ricoh GR IIIx
  8. Kodak PIXPRO C1
  9. Fujifilm X100VI
  10. Leica D-LUX8

Compact Cameras Are Back: Fujifilm Leads a Surprising Revival

Compact Cameras Are Making a Comeback! — According to Kakaku Magazine, the long-shrinking market for compact digital cameras is showing surprising signs of revival.

The report highlights the rising popularity of Fuji’s bold compact, the Fujifilm X100VI, a premium APS-C camera celebrated for its retro design, fixed 23mm f/2 lens, and cutting-edge features. Despite smartphones dominating casual photography, dedicated enthusiasts and new creators are turning back to premium compacts for their unique blend of portability and image quality.

Why Compact Cameras Still Matter:

  • Portability & Style: Premium compacts are small enough to carry daily, yet powerful enough to deliver professional results.
  • Dedicated Optics: Fixed-lens compacts like the X100VI and Ricoh GR III series offer optics that smartphones simply can’t replicate.
  • Rising Demand: Data from Kakaku shows renewed interest in the compact category after years of decline.
  • Brand Strategy: Fujifilm’s decision to invest in high-end compacts is paying off, sparking a wave of renewed consumer enthusiasm.

The article also notes that while major camera makers pulled away from compact cameras over the past decade, niche models with strong brand identity and advanced specs are carving out a profitable market segment. For photographers who value discretion, design, and direct tactile controls, compacts are more attractive than ever.

Popular compact Models — Buy Here:

Fujifilm X100VI at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, Foto Erhardt, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton
Fujifilm X100V at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, Foto Erhardt, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton
Fujifilm X-E4 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, Foto Erhardt, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton
Ricoh GR III at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, Foto Erhardt, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton
Ricoh GR IIIx at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, Foto Erhardt, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton
Panasonic LX100 II at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, Foto Erhardt, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton
Sony RX100 VII at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, Foto Erhardt, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch,

Coming in November: Canon R6IIII and R7II and 300-600mm?

In November both Sony and Canon are rumored to announce their new hot gear. Here is what’s rumored to come from Canon:

Rumored Canon Cameras

  • Canon EOS R6 III
    • 34 MP full-frame sensor (likely shared with the Canon C50)
    • Target announcement window: mid-November
  • Canon EOS R7 II (APS-C)
    • 32 MP APS-C sensor
    • No mechanical shutter
    • 40 fps electronic shutter
    • 0.9× equivalent OLED EVF with higher resolution than the current 2.36M-dot unit in EOS R7
    • Active cooling
    • Body design similar to R5 II

Rumored Canon Lenses

  • RF 300–600mm f/4–5.6 L IS
    • Reportedly in final testing
    • Marketing materials said to be in progress
  • RF 20–50mm f/4 PZ — appeared on Canon survey form
  • RF 45mm f/1.2 STM — appeared on Canon survey form

Note: All information above is based on rumors and may change upon official announcements.

via CanonRumors