Ricoh GR IV Monochrome – pure black-and-white photography, no compromises
A RICOH GR sorozat több mint 30 éve a prémium kompakt streetfotózás egyik meghatározó rendszere, amely a zsebméretet, a gyors működést és a magas képminőséget ötvözi. A filmes kezdetektől a legújabb digitális és monokróm megoldásokig a sorozat következetesen a pillanatfotózás szemléletére épül, modern technológiával és letisztult, fotós központú megközelítéssel.
The Ricoh GR IV Monochrome is the first GR camera designed exclusively for black-and-white photography. This special edition of the legendary fixed-lens compact takes the “ultimate snap shooter” philosophy to its purest form, delivering uncompromising monochrome image quality, exceptional tonal depth, and a truly photographic shooting experience.
If black-and-white photography is not just a style but a mindset for you, Fotoplus is the place where you’ll find the right tool – and expert support to match.
True monochrome sensor – photography built on light, not color
At the heart of the GR IV Monochrome is a 25.7 MP APS-C BSI CMOS sensor with no color filter array (CFA) and no anti-aliasing filter. This design allows the camera to capture pure luminance data only, resulting in:
- exceptional sharpness and micro-detail
- rich, smooth tonal transitions
- natural, film-like grain structure
- an extended native sensitivity range of ISO 160–409600
With no color interpolation at the sensor level, every image is built purely from light – exactly how black-and-white photography is meant to be.
Built-in red contrast filter for dramatic monochrome rendering
Instead of the standard ND filter found on the regular GR IV, the Monochrome version features a built-in red contrast filter, selectable via a dedicated rear button.
This filter:
- darkens blue skies for dramatic outdoor scenes
- enhances cloud contrast and texture
- brightens skin tones and red-toned subjects
It’s a classic black-and-white technique, now instantly available in-camera.
New Image Control modes tailored for monochrome creators
The GR IV Monochrome introduces new Image Control profiles designed specifically for black-and-white output:
- Solid – bold contrast and a clean, graphic look
- Grainy – pronounced grain with a traditional darkroom feel
Each mode is fully adjustable (contrast, sharpness, grain strength) and can be saved as a custom preset, giving you precise control over your visual signature.
GR ENGINE 7 – speed you can rely on in the street
Powered by the latest GR ENGINE 7 processor, the GR IV Monochrome delivers:
- ultra-fast startup (approx. 6 seconds)
- quicker and more responsive autofocus
- improved low-light performance
- flexible 14-bit DNG and JPEG recording
This speed and responsiveness make it ideal for street, documentary, and everyday photography.
Faster autofocus and legendary Snap Focus
The enhanced AF system offers:
- face and eye detection
- improved subject recognition
- reliable focusing even in low light
And of course, the iconic Full Press Snap function remains: fully press the shutter and the lens instantly focuses to a preset distance – perfect for capturing decisive moments without delay.
5-axis image stabilization for confident handheld shooting
The new 5-axis Shake Reduction system provides up to 6 stops of stabilization, helping you shoot handheld with confidence in:
- low-light street scenes
- indoor environments
- slower shutter speeds
This is a major advantage for photographers who prefer to work light and fast.
Redesigned 28mm f/2.8 lens – a GR classic, refined
The GR IV Monochrome retains the iconic 28mm (equiv.) f/2.8 fixed lens, now with a completely new optical design:
- 7 elements in 5 groups
- aspherical, HR, and low-dispersion elements
- improved edge-to-edge sharpness
Additional creative flexibility includes:
- macro mode (6–12 cm)
- 35mm and 50mm crop modes without changing lenses
Minimalist monochrome design and refined ergonomics
The exterior reflects the camera’s philosophy:
- matte black body and controls
- subtle semi-gloss GR logo
- white-lit power button for a fully monochrome aesthetic
The lightweight magnesium alloy body is robust, discreet, and perfectly suited for everyday carry.
Modern workflow with GR WORLD app
With Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and the GR WORLD app, you can:
- transfer images to your smartphone
- control the camera remotely
- add location data to your files
An efficient, modern workflow that fits seamlessly into professional and creative use.
Why choose Fotoplus?
At Fotoplus, black-and-white photography is understood, not just sold:
- official Ricoh products
- expert advice for GR users
- strong focus on street and documentary photography
- reliable purchasing and professional support
If black-and-white photography is a conscious creative choice for you, the Ricoh GR IV Monochrome is one of the purest tools available – and Fotoplus is the right place to start that journey.
Ricoh GR IV Monochrome
The First GR Dedicated to Black-and-White
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 6 to 12 cm 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.
Ricoh GR IV Standard vs. Ricoh GR IV Monochrome – what’s the real difference?
At first glance, the Ricoh GR IV and the Ricoh GR IV Monochrome look almost identical. Both share the iconic GR form factor, the same compact size, the same 28mm (equivalent) fixed lens, fast performance, and intuitive handling.
The key difference lies inside the camera, and it fundamentally defines who each version is made for.
Sensor philosophy: versatility vs. purity
The GR IV Standard uses a 25.7 MP APS-C BSI CMOS sensor with a color filter array (CFA). This allows:
- full-color photography
- black-and-white conversion either in-camera or in post
- maximum flexibility for everyday, all-round use
The GR IV Monochrome, on the other hand, features a dedicated monochrome sensor with no color filter array and no anti-aliasing filter. This means:
- it captures black-and-white only
- every pixel records pure luminance information
- higher micro-contrast, sharper detail, and richer tonal transitions
Built-in filters: ND vs. red contrast filter
Another major practical difference is the integrated filter system.
- GR IV Standard: built-in ND filter, ideal for shooting wide open in bright light or using slower shutter speeds.
- GR IV Monochrome: the ND filter is replaced by a built-in red contrast filter.
The red filter:
- darkens skies dramatically
- enhances cloud separation
- brightens skin tones
- delivers a classic, film-inspired black-and-white look
Image Control and tonal rendering
The GR IV Standard offers Image Control profiles designed for both color and monochrome output.
The GR IV Monochrome adds monochrome-specific Image Control modes, optimized for its unique sensor:
- Solid – strong contrast and bold tonality
- Grainy – pronounced grain for a darkroom-style aesthetic
These are not simple filters, but profiles tailored to the behavior of the monochrome sensor itself.
ISO performance and noise character
While the standard GR IV already performs very well in low light, the Monochrome version goes further:
- higher usable native ISO range
- more natural, film-like grain
- smoother tonal transitions in highlights and shadows
This makes the Monochrome especially appealing for street photography, documentary work, and night shooting.
Exterior design and mindset
- GR IV Standard: classic GR design – clean, understated, functional.
- GR IV Monochrome: fully monochrome exterior, matte black body, darkened logos, white backlit power button
This isn’t just cosmetic. It reflects the camera’s purpose: a tool built exclusively for black-and-white vision.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Ricoh GR IV Standard if:
- you want one compact camera for every situation
- color photography is essential
- you prefer deciding on color vs. black-and-white in post-production
Choose the Ricoh GR IV Monochrome if:
- black-and-white photography is your primary language
- tonal depth, texture, and contrast matter most
- you want a distinctive, film-like look straight out of the camera
