RICOH GR IV HDF Compact Camera
RICOH GR IV HDF Compact Camera
Hailed as 'the ultimate instant camera', the Ricoh GR IV HDF is the latest addition to the popular compact fixed-lens camera series, characterised by stunning image quality, a sharp prime lens and supreme portability. This GR IV features a new 25.7 MP BSI CMOS sensor, redesigned 28mm equivalent lens, improved autofocus and vibration reduction, more internal memory, a new battery and upgrades to specialized focus and shooting modes. With the renowned built-in HDF filter, get even better results in your photography. In addition, there is a new dedicated GR WORLD app for wireless settings control and image sharing.
New 25.7 MP BSI CMOS sensor and GR ENGINE 7
With a new sensor and processor, the GR IV sports a 25.7 MP APS-C CMOS sensor with a back-illuminated design for sharper image quality and reduced noise. This sensor, coupled with the upgraded GR ENGINE 7 processor, helps achieve altogether better low-light performance, as well as a faster 0.6s start-up time, faster focusing performance up to ISO 204800, and the same versatile 14-bit DNG and JPEG recording as its predecessor.
Faster, more accurate autofocus
One of the main improvements of the GR IV is the faster focusing performance. Aided by new GR ENGINE 7 processing and a redesigned, lighter lens, AF performance is more responsive than its predecessor, focus demand is greatly reduced, and facial recognition and subject tracking have been improved. In addition, combined with improved image quality in low light, low-light focusing is also faster and more accurate for shooting in difficult lighting conditions.
HDF Filter
Exclusive to the GR IV HDF, Highlight Diffusion Filter (HDF) instantly transforms the look of your images. By softening highlights and creating a delicate, cinematic look, this filter offers an expressive alternative to the traditional ultra-sharp look, which can be turned on or off with a simple press of the Fn button.
Printing technology at the service of your camera
Ricoh's proprietary inkjet printing technology (multi-drop technology) made it possible to integrate the filter into the shutter unit.
There are two effects:
A: The white in the highlight area becomes more diffuse to emphasize the light source.
B: Reduces the contrast of the entire image (the sharpening effect is approximately -2 to -3).
The emphasis on light creates a softer representation, allowing for emotional photographic expression that harkens back to analogue photography or film.
It is ideal for building narratives, being perfect for photographs that tell a story through multiple images, rather than relying on a single impactful and eye-catching photo. Flashy filters have limited uses and get boring quickly; This filter effect is set for prolonged use in a variety of everyday situations.
Focus detection
During autofocus photography, this AF system accurately detects the subject's face or eye, focuses on it, and indicates the focused position in the viewfinder using the autofocus frame. When the camera detects multiple faces, it automatically distinguishes the main subject from the secondary ones and indicates it in the focus frame. The Full Press Snap function allows you to cancel autofocus instantly by pressing the shutter button all the way down and making the lens immediately focus at a preset distance. This unique shooting and focusing function is perfect for street photography and eliminates any lag to capture decisive moments.
5-axis vibration reduction
One more feature for use in low light conditions: the GR IV features a new 5-axis vibration reduction system that compensates for up to 6 points of camera vibration. Improving on the previous generation's 3-axis system, this new stabilisation system compensates for more types of camera shake and is more effective at reducing shake when shooting handheld.
Image Control
The Picture Control function offers 12 distinct modes for applying preset visuals to a scene, as well as a new Cinema mode, with a choice of Yellow or Green tone, for a more nostalgic and cinematic look. The saturation, contrast, hue, hue, and grain parameters of each mode can be adjusted to suit the desired effect, and the selected settings also support intensity and size adjustment for an even more personalized look.
User-selected settings can be added to the Image Control menu as a custom mode.
Shooting modes
When set to Program AE, the GR IV now has an Auto Ex Program function, which allows instant exposure mode switching by turning the front e-Dial to Aperture Priority or the rear e-Dial to 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.
The sensor features an anti-aliasing (AA) filter-free design, which maximizes sharpness and resolution in most shooting circumstances. However, in certain circumstances, such as when shooting certain fabrics and other high-frequency patterns and colours, the Vibration Reduction mechanism can simulate the effects of an AA filter to reduce the moiré effect.
Built-in multi-exposure mode with no frame limit for composing unlimited sequential exposures in-camera. Multi-segmented, center-weighted, and spot metering options are available, along with accent-weighted options that prioritize keeping highlight values within dynamic range and allow shadows to become darker and darker.
In addition to taking stills, the GR IV 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 photography experience, the GR IV retains a 28mm equivalent fixed-lens design; This wide-angle lens is ideal for everyday photography, street scenes, and travel, and is accompanied by a reasonably bright f/2.8 maximum aperture, which is fast enough for low-light shots and helps keep the camera's overall size and weight low.
The new optical design significantly improves sharpness compared to previous generations. The 7-element-in-5-group layout includes aspherical, high-resolution, low-dispersion glass elements, which help achieve greater clarity and resolution, as well as a smaller, lighter physical design with faster focus and aperture. Dedicated Macro mode with a distinct close-up focusing range is suitable for working with subjects within a working range of 2.4" to 4.7". The built-in ND filter reduces exposures by two stops, allowing you to use higher-than-normal aperture settings or slower shutter speeds for creative depth-of-field or motion blur effects. Built-in crop modes simulate the fields of view of 35mm and 50mm lenses, offering an even narrower field of view without the need to change lenses.
Design and handling
Updating the popular and highly portable design, the GR IV is even thinner than its predecessor, providing a firmer and more secure grip. In addition, the camera retains its lightweight but rigid magnesium alloy frame. The new DB-120 battery is used in the GR IV; This larger capacity battery now delivers approximately 250 photos per charge. The internal memory has been increased to 53 GB and the memory card slot has been changed to the sleeker microSD format.
The USB-C port allows for battery charging in the camera and data transfer. The layout of the control buttons and dials has been redesigned for easy access and the ADJ lever has been changed to a dial for more intuitive operation. The 3.0" 1.04m rear touchscreen LCD monitor features an air-gapless design to help reduce reflections and improve visibility outdoors. In addition, the External Monitor Setup function increases the brightness to suit midday shots, and there is a new monitor auto-brightness setting that automatically adjusts the brightness level depending on the ambient lighting.
Wireless connectivity and GR WORLD app
A new dedicated GR WORLD app has been developed to simplify the experience of shooting with GR series cameras. This app allows for the transfer of files from the camera to the mobile device, remote control of the shutter and the transfer of location data.
Both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are used for easy and stable connection with mobile devices.
Key features
- 25.7MP BSI APS-C CMOS sensor
- New 28mm f/2.8 lens (full-frame equivalent)
- HDF Filter (Highlight Diffusion Filter)
- Improved AF and low-light focus
- 5-axis, 6-stop vibration reduction system
- 3.0" 1.04m-dot touchscreen LCD
- 53GB internal memory and microSD card slot
- Full HD 1080/60p video recording
- Clamp distance priority and focus limiter
- 35mm and 50mm focal length crop modes
- GR WORLD app for updates and control
What's in the box:
1x GR IV Compact Camera
1x Ricoh DB-120 Battery (1800mAh)
1x Ricoh GN-3 Ring Cap (Black)
1x USB I-USB198 Cable
1x Hand Grip O-ST198
1x Shoe Cover