Ricoh GR IV Monochrome Digital Camera

Ricoh GR IV Monochrome Overview

Key Features

• B&W-Only Recording; No Color Array
• Built-In Red Contrast Filter
• 25.7MP APS-C BSI CMOS Sensor
• New 28mm f/2.8 Lens (Full-Frame Equiv.)
• Improved AF and Low-Light Focusing
• 5-Axis 6-Stop Shake Reduction System
• 3.0" 1.04m-Dot Touchscreen LCD
• 53GB Built-In Memory & microSD Card Slot
• Full HD 1080/60p Video Recording
• Snap Distance Priority & Focus Limiter

The "ultimate snap shooter" designed exclusively for monochrome photography, the Ricoh GR IV Monochrome is a specialized version of the popular compact fixed-lens camera, featuring a unique sensor that has been modified to solely record black-and-white imagery.

Beyond the black-and-white-only 25.7MP sensor, this distinct Monochrome model also features a built-in selectable red contrast filter, which replaces the ND filter of the standard edition GR IV, and this camera has new monochrome-specific Image Control options along with an updated exterior design with an overall monochrome aesthetic. Aside from these updates, the camera is virtually identical to the standard edition GR IV, including the 28mm-equivalent lens, fast AF, refined Shake Reduction, and the improved wireless settings control via the GR WORLD app.

Monochrome Distinctions

• The 25.7MP APS-C CMOS sensor lacks both an anti-aliasing filter and a color filter array (CFA), allowing the sensor to record monochromatic imagery using just luminance values for improved clarity, sharpness, and resolution, along with a higher native sensitivity range of ISO 160-409600.
• Since there is no color interpolation at the sensor level, resulting black-and-white images are characterized by rich tonal gradations with more natural-looking grain effects.

• Rather than a solid ND filter, the GR IV Monochrome has a built-in red contrast filter in the lens unit that is selectable via the On/Off button on the rear of the camera. This filter allows only red wavelengths to pass to the sensor, resulting in more dramatic rendering of outdoor scenes (e.g. dark and moody blue skies with bright white clouds). Conversely, this filter will also brighten skin tones and other reddish subjects.
• Two Image Control options have been added to make the most of the monochromatic recording: "Solid" uses a hard tonal curve for a clean, bold look while "Grainy" imparts a strong grain effect reminiscent of darkroom prints while also retaining extended details in the highlights and shadows.

• The exterior of the camera body has also been updated to match the monochromatic ethos of the imaging system: the body, shutter release button, and ring cap have a sleek matte black finish; the front GR logo has a semi-gloss black finish; and the power button illumination has been changed to white to maintain a fully monochrome appearance.

New 25.7MP BSI CMOS Sensor and GR ENGINE 7

Featuring a new sensor and processor, the GR IV Monochrome sports a 25.7MP APS-C CMOS sensor with a back-illuminated design for cleaner image quality and reduced noise.

This sensor pairs with the updated GR ENGINE 7 processor that helps to achieve a full stop better low-light performance along with a faster 0.6-sec startup time, quicker focusing performance, up to ISO 409600, and the same versatile 14-bit DNG and JPEG recording as its predecessor.

Faster and More Accurate Autofocus

One of the key upgrades of the GR IV Monochrome is faster focusing performance. Aided by the new GR ENGINE 7 processing and a redesigned lens that's lighter in weight, AF performance is more responsive than its predecessor, focusing hunting is greatly reduced, and both face recognition and subject tracking have been improved. Additionally, pairing with the improved low-light image quality, low-light focusing is also faster and more accurate for shooting in difficult lighting conditions.

• During autofocus shooting, this AF system detects the subject's face or eye with precision, focuses on it, and indicates the in-focus position on the LCD display using the AF frame. When the camera detects multiple faces, it automatically distinguishes the main subject from secondary ones and indicates this on the focus frame.
• Full Press Snap function lets you override the AF in an instant by fully depressing the shutter button and having the lens immediately focus at a preset distance. This unique shooting and focusing function is perfect for street photography and eliminates any lag times for decisive moment-type shooting.

5-Axis Shake Reduction

One more asset for low-light use, the GR IV Monochrome has a new 5-axis Shake Reduction system that compensates for up to 6 stops of camera shake. Improving upon the 3-axis system of the previous generation, this new stabilization system compensates for more types of camera movement and is more effective at reducing the appearance of camera shake when shooting handheld.

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

Quintessential to the GR shooting experience, the GR IV Monochrome retains a 28mm-equivalent fixed lens design; this wide-angle lens is ideal for everyday shooting, street scenes, and travel applications and is paired with a reasonably bright f/2.8 maximum aperture that is both fast enough for low-light shooting and helps keep the overall size and weight of the camera low.

• All-new optical design greatly improves the sharpness compared to previous generations. The 7-elements-in-5-groups layout includes aspherical, HR, and low-dispersion glass elements, which help achieve greater clarity and resolution, as well as a smaller and lighter physical design that's faster focusing and quicker to deploy.
• Dedicated Macro mode with a distinct close-up focusing range suits working with subjects within a 2.4" to 4.7" working range.
• Built-in crop modes simulate the fields of view of 35mm and 50mm lenses, offering an even narrower field of view without needing to change 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.

Optional Accessories

• Top hot shoe supports using optional external flashes, such as the GF-2 External Flash that has a slim design to match the GR IV Monochrome body and Auto Flash mode for simple, intuitive shooting with accurate auto exposure metering. This sleek flash has a guide number of 9.8' at ISO 100 and has an internal lithium-ion battery that can be recharged via USB-C.
• The GV-2 External Viewfinder is a shoe-mounted optical finder with a field of view that matches the 28mm-equivalent lens and has 1:1 aspect ratio marks for shooting in square format.
• Remove the GN-3 Ring Cap that surrounds the lens in order to attach the optional GA-3 Lens Adapter. This enables the use of 49mm screw-on filters as well as the GW-4 Wide Conversion Lens to gain an even wider field of view.