Ricoh Unveils a Camera Made Just for Black and White
▼ Summary
– Ricoh is developing the GR IV Monochrome, a compact digital camera designed specifically for black and white photography, set to launch in Spring 2026.
– It features a new monochrome CMOS sensor but shares core features with the GR IV, including a three-inch touchscreen, five-axis image stabilization, and 53GB of built-in storage.
– Pricing has not been announced, but it is expected to be expensive as it is based on the $1,500 GR IV model.
– The camera will use a 28mm-equivalent f/2.8 lens and a 25.7-megapixel chip, with a higher ISO range up to 409,600 due to its monochrome sensor.
– Its exterior is similar to the GR IV, with the main difference being a black GR logo on the front instead of white.
Photography enthusiasts seeking the purest form of black and white imagery have reason to celebrate, as Ricoh prepares to launch the GR IV Monochrome, a camera engineered exclusively for monochrome capture. This specialized model, anticipated for a Spring 2026 release, builds upon the foundation of the standard GR IV but incorporates a unique monochrome CMOS sensor designed to unlock new levels of tonal depth and expressive potential.
While the final price remains unannounced, industry observers expect it to command a premium, likely positioned above the standard GR IV’s $1,500 price tag. This marks a significant move for Ricoh, representing their first camera dedicated solely to black and white photography. The company emphasizes that the camera will include bespoke Image Control settings fine-tuned to enhance the unique texture and emotional impact inherent in monochromatic pictures.
In terms of core hardware, the GR IV Monochrome is projected to share many features with its color counterpart. These include a responsive three-inch touchscreen LCD, a sophisticated five-axis image stabilization system, and a generous 53GB of internal storage. The camera is also slated to use a sharp 28mm-equivalent f/2.8 lens with autofocus capabilities, paired with a 25.7-megapixel sensor.
A key technical advantage of the monochrome sensor is its superior light sensitivity. By eliminating the color filter array found on conventional sensors, the GR IV Monochrome can achieve a remarkably high ISO range, extending all the way to 409,600. This allows photographers to shoot in extremely low-light conditions with greater clarity and less noise than would be possible with a standard color sensor.
Visually, the camera maintains the GR series’ iconic and compact form factor. The most noticeable external distinction is the treatment of the GR logo on the front panel. On the Monochrome edition, this logo is rendered in a sleek black finish, providing a subtle yet distinct contrast to the white logo found on the standard GR IV model.
(Source: The Verge)