Ricoh GR IV Monochrome Digital Camera

The Ricoh GR IV Monochrome is based on the Ricoh GR IV and features a monochrome-dedicated image sensor. By eliminating the colour filter used to acquire colour information, as well as the interpolation process required to generate colour images, the camera is able to fully draw out the capabilities of the high-performance GR lens, delivering refined rendering and rich tonal gradation. In addition, the built-in red filter enables more distinctive monochrome photography, while newly developed Image Control options dedicated to monochrome imaging provide deep and diverse monochrome expressions.

Main features:
- 18.3 mm F2.8 lens, 7 elements in 5 groups for improved sharpness across the entire im-age, from the centre to the edges
- Back-illuminated APS-C monochrome CMOS image sensor with approx. 25.74 effective megapixels
- Physical red filter via Fn-button
- Newly developed GR ENGINE 7
- High light sensitivity up to a maximum of ISO 409600
- 5-axis image stabiliser with 6 stops of compensation
- More compact design with improved performance
- Fast response: quick start-up and fast focusing
- 1800 mAh DB-120 battery for approx. 250 shots
- 53GB internal memory for at least 995 RAW images
- Improved connectivity thanks to the newly developed "GR WORLD" app for smart devices

Monochrome dedicated design
The camera is newly equipped with a anti-aliasing (AA) filterless monochrome-dedicated CMOS image sensor of APS-C equivalent size, capable of producing high-definition images with approximately 25.74 million effective pixels. Unlike monochrome images produced using a general colour image sensor, where each pixel re-ceives light through one of red (R), green (G), or blue (B) colour filters, the information is interpolated to generate a colour image, and the result is then converted to monochrome. Each pixel of the monochrome-dedicated sensor captures the subject’s brightness information. Because it directly takes in the light information entering through the lens without interpolation processing, it enables sharp monochrome rendering with rich tonal gradation, and also makes it possible to create works that emphasize grain effects by taking advantage of high-sensitivity performance.

Built-in red filter in the lens unit
A red filter that can be turned ON/OFF with a single operation is built into the lens unit. By allowing only red wavelengths of light to pass through, it enables dramatic rendering, for example, by darkening the tones of a blue sky to enhance contrast with white clouds, or by render-ing red subjects brighter to make them stand out more clearly.

Support for diverse monochrome expressions
The camera features monochrome-dedicated Image Control options to enable a wide range of monochrome expressions. “Solid” uses a hard tonal curve to express a crisp, clean look and renders edges with refined clarity. “Grainy,” characterized by a strong grain effect, delivers a finish reminiscent of silver-halide prints and printed materials by avoiding com-plete highlight blowout and preventing shadows from being crushed to solid black, while producing grain that is clearly visible even on smart devices.

Carefully crafted design
To evoke the primitive, essential world of black and white photography by unifying the overall colour and texture, the magnesium-alloy body, as well as the shutter release button and ring cap, are finished in matte black. The subdued sheen, deep texture, and a softly tactile feel together make the GR’s special nature immediately apparent. In addition, the front GR logo is finished in semi-gloss black, with a luster distinct from that of the body finish. Moreover, the power button illumina-tion has also been changed to white.

Electronic shutter enabling high-speed shooting up to 1/16000s
In addition to the conventional mechanical shutter, the camera is equipped with an electronic shutter that enables shooting at higher shutter speeds. The shutter speed can be increased up to 1/16000s, which is effective for creative work that takes advantage of the monochrome sensor’s high-sensitivity characteristics in bright conditions, and for situations where it is desirable to shoot with the aperture open even in very bright environments.