Ricoh GR IV Monochrome Digital Camera

The Ricoh GR IV Monochrome, referred to as the "ultimate snap shooter," is specifically crafted for monochrome photography. This specialized variant of the well-known compact fixed-lens camera boasts a distinctive sensor that has been altered to exclusively capture black-and-white images.

In addition to the exclusive black-and-white 25.7MP sensor, this unique Monochrome variant is equipped with a built-in selectable red contrast filter, which substitutes the ND filter found in the standard GR IV model. Furthermore, this camera introduces new monochrome-specific Image Control options and boasts an updated exterior design that emphasizes a cohesive monochrome aesthetic. Despite these enhancements, the camera remains nearly identical to the standard GR IV, featuring the same 28mm-equivalent lens, rapid autofocus, enhanced Shake Reduction, and improved wireless settings management through the GR WORLD app.

Monochrome Distinctions

The 25.7MP APS-C CMOS sensor is devoid of both an anti-aliasing filter and a color filter array (CFA), which enables the sensor to capture monochromatic images solely based on luminance values. This design enhances clarity, sharpness, and resolution, while also providing a broader native sensitivity range of ISO 160-409600. Due to the absence of color interpolation at the sensor level, the resulting black-and-white images exhibit rich tonal gradations and more natural grain effects.

Instead of a conventional ND filter, the GR IV Monochrome features an integrated red contrast filter within the lens unit, which can be activated using the On/Off button located on the rear of the camera. This filter permits only red wavelengths to reach the sensor, leading to a more striking portrayal of outdoor scenes (for instance, deep and moody blue skies contrasted with bright white clouds). On the other hand, this filter also enhances skin tones and other subjects that are reddish in hue. To optimize monochromatic recording, two Image Control options have been introduced: "Solid" employs a rigid tonal curve for a crisp, bold appearance, while "Grainy" adds a pronounced grain effect that evokes the feel of darkroom prints, all the while preserving intricate details in both highlights and shadows. Additionally, the camera body’s exterior has been redesigned to align with the monochromatic philosophy of the imaging system: the body, shutter release button, and ring cap sport a sophisticated matte black finish; the front GR logo is rendered in a semi-gloss black finish; and the illumination of the power button has been altered to white to ensure a completely monochrome aesthetic.

New 25.7MP BSI CMOS Sensor and GR ENGINE 7

Equipped with an advanced sensor and processor, the GR IV Monochrome boasts a 25.7MP APS-C CMOS sensor featuring a back-illuminated design, which enhances image quality and minimizes noise.

This sensor works in conjunction with the enhanced GR ENGINE 7 processor, which facilitates a full stop improvement in low-light performance, a quicker startup time of 0.6 seconds, faster focusing capabilities, an ISO range extending up to 409600, and retains the same flexible 14-bit DNG and JPEG recording options as its predecessor.

Faster and More Accurate Autofocus

One of the significant enhancements of the GR IV Monochrome is its improved focusing performance. Supported by the new GR ENGINE 7 processing and a re-engineered lens that is lighter, the autofocus performance is more responsive compared to its predecessor, with a notable reduction in focus hunting, and enhancements in both face recognition and subject tracking. Furthermore, when combined with the enhanced low-light image quality, focusing in low-light conditions is also quicker and more precise, making it easier to shoot in challenging lighting situations.

• During autofocus shooting, this AF system accurately identifies the subject's face or eye, focuses on it, and displays the in-focus position on the LCD screen using the AF frame. When the camera recognizes multiple faces, it automatically differentiates the primary subject from the secondary ones and reflects this distinction on the focus frame.
  
  
• The Full Press Snap function allows you to instantly bypass the AF by fully pressing the shutter button, causing the lens to focus immediately at a predetermined distance. This distinctive shooting and focusing feature is ideal for street photography, effectively removing any delays for capturing decisive moments.
  
  

5-Axis Shake Reduction

Another valuable tool for low-light photography, the GR IV Monochrome features an advanced 5-axis Shake Reduction system that mitigates up to 6 stops of camera shake. Building on the 3-axis system from the previous model, this enhanced stabilization technology addresses a wider range of camera movements and is significantly more efficient in minimizing the effects of camera shake during handheld shooting.

Image Control

• The Image Control function can be used to apply preset looks to an image, including new Solid and Grainy settings that emphasize the benefits of a monochrome sensor.
  
  
• Contrast, key, sharpness, and grain parameters of each mode can be adjusted to suit the desired effect and select settings also support strength and size tuning for an even more personalized look.
  
  
• User-selected settings can be added to the Image Control menu as a custom mode.
  
  

Shooting Modes

• An electronic shutter function enables shooting at up to 1/16,000-sec to better enable working in bright conditions with wider aperture values.
  
  
• When set to Program AE, the GR IV Monochrome now has a Program Auto Ex function, which allows instant switching of the exposure mode by turning the front e-Dial for Aperture Priority or the rear e-Dial for Shutter Priority.
  
  
• Snap Distance-Priority AE (Sn) mode has also been added to the exposure mode options; this mode emphasizes the depth of field of a scene and adjusts the exposure parameters to prioritize the desired depth of field effect.
  
  
• Sensor has an anti-aliasing (AA) filter-less design, which maximizes sharpness and resolution in most shooting circumstances. However, for certain circumstances, like when photographing some fabrics and other high-frequency patterns, the Shake Reduction mechanism can simulate the effects of an AA filter to reduce moiré.
  
  
• Integrated multi-exposure mode with no frame limit for compositing unlimited sequential exposures in-camera.
  
  
• Multi-Segment, Center-Weighted, and Spot metering options are available along with a Highlight-Weighted options that prioritizes keeping highlight values within the dynamic range and allowing shadows to become darker and moodier.
  
  
• In addition to stills shooting, the GR IV Monochrome is also capable of recording Full HD 1080 video at 60p, 30p, and 24p frame rates.
  
  

Redesigned 28mm f/2.8-Equivalent Lens

Essential to the GR shooting experience, the GR IV Monochrome features a fixed lens design equivalent to 28mm; this wide-angle lens is perfect for daily photography, street scenes, and travel uses, and it is complemented by a reasonably bright f/2.8 maximum aperture that is sufficiently fast for low-light conditions while also contributing to the compact size and weight of the camera.

• The newly developed optical design significantly enhances sharpness in comparison to earlier models. The configuration of 7 elements arranged in 5 groups incorporates aspherical, high refractive (HR), and low-dispersion glass components, which contribute to improved clarity and resolution, alongside a more compact and lightweight physical structure that allows for faster focusing and quicker deployment.
  
  
• The dedicated Macro mode features a specific close-up focusing range, ideal for working with subjects that fall within a 2.4" to 4.7" range.
  
  
• Additionally, the built-in crop modes replicate the fields of view of 35mm and 50mm lenses, providing an even narrower field of view without the necessity of changing lenses.
  
  

Body Design and Handling

• Updating the popular and highly portable design, the GR IV Monochrome is even slimmer than its predecessor to promote a firmer, more secure grip. Additionally, the camera keeps its lightweight-yet-rigid magnesium alloy build.
  
  
• New DB-120 battery is used in the GR IV Monochrome; this larger capacity battery now affords approximately 250 shots per charge compared to the 200 shots per charge of its predecessor.
  
  
• Internal memory has been increased to 53GB, and the memory card slot has been changed to the sleeker microSD format.
  
  
• USB-C port permits in-camera battery charging and data transfer
  
  
• The layout of the control buttons and dials has been redesigned for easier access and the ADJ lever has been changed to a dial for more intuitive operation.
  
  
• Rear 3.0" 1.04m touchscreen LCD monitor has an air gapless design to help reduce reflections for improved visibility in outdoor conditions. Also, the Outdoor Monitor Setting function boosts brightness to suit midday shooting and there is a new Auto monitor brightness setting that automatically adjusts the brightness level depending on the ambient lighting.
  
  

Wireless Connectivity and GR WORLD App

• A new and dedicated GR WORLD app has been designed for a simplified experience when shooting with GR-series cameras. This app enables transferring files from the camera to the mobile device, remote shutter release control, and transferring of location data.
  
  
• Both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are used for easy and stable connecting to mobile devices.