Ricoh GR IV Monochrome and HDF in Development

Two new models expected by Spring 2026

By PF Staff in Pentax Announcements on Oct 212025

Ricoh Imaging has announced the development of two compelling variants of the recently launched RICOH GR IV: the GR IV Monochrome and the GR IV HDFmarking significant expansions to the acclaimed compact camera series that continues to capture the hearts of photographers worldwide.

The RICOH GR IV Monochrome promises to build on the success of the Pentax K-3 III Monochrome through a first for the GR the series: a camera designed exclusively for black and white photography. Nearly 30 years since the film-based GR1 launched in 1996and exactly 20 years since the digital GR DIGITAL arrived in 2005Ricoh is venturing into dedicated monochrome territory with a camera that promises to deliver the expressiveness and depth unique to monochrome images.

Built on the foundation of the standard GR IV released in September 2025the Monochrome variant features a newly developed dedicated monochrome image sensor—still maintaining approximately 25.74 megapixels on an APS-C format—that eliminates the Bayer color filter array to capture pure luminance data. This approachsimilar to other dedicated monochrome camerasallows for enhanced resolutionimproved low-light performanceand superior tonal gradation that color sensors simply cannot achieve when converted to black and white in post-processing.

Pentax and Ricoh enthusiasts will appreciate that the GR IV Monochrome retains all the compelling improvements introduced with the standard GR IV: the newly designed 18.3mm F2.8 GR lens (28mm equivalent) with seven elements in five groups including three aspherical elementsthe five-axis sensor-shift Shake Reduction system offering up to six stops of compensationand the lightning-fast 0.6-second startup time. The camera's Image Control options have been specially optimized for monochrome workoffering modes including StandardSolidSoftHi-ContrastGrainyand HDR Tonewith extensive parameter adjustments for contrastshadingclaritytoningand grain effects to help photographers achieve their creative vision.

Ricoh has also stripped color from the camera's design itself—the typically green power indicator LED is now whiteand the GR logo appears in blackwhile the body finish appears smoother than the standard model. The monochrome-focused interface and controls demonstrate Ricoh's commitment to creating a true tool for black and white purists rather than simply offering a shooting mode.

Alongside the Monochrome announcementRicoh confirmed that the RICOH GR IV HDF (Highlight Diffusion Filter) is progressing through development and will launch in winter 2025 or later. Following the success of the GR III HDF and GR IIIx HDF models introduced in 2024this variant replaces the standard model's built-in neutral density filter with Ricoh's proprietary Highlight Diffusion Filterwhich can be activated with a single button press to create softerdreamier images with diffused highlights.​

Pentax 17 named to Time Magazine Best Innovations of 2025 list

Fun film photos for a smartphone generation

By cjfeola in Pentax Announcements on Oct 102025

October 92025: The Pentax 17 half-frame film camera that produces "Fun film photos for a smartphone generation" was named today to Time Magazine's list of The Best Inventions of 2025.

Pentax is the first major camera maker to release a new 35mm film camera in almost two decades. The Pentax 17 is a half-frame cameraso users get 72 shots from a 36-exposure filmand its vertical orientation is ideally suited to a generation whose default camera is a smartphoneTime wrote. “This is a quality product designed to give you many years of pleasure,” says Ken Currypresident of Pentax owner Ricoh Imaging North America. Having to wait for your film to be developed is part of the appealCurry says. “Delayed gratification is a novelty these days.”

Ricoh Launches the GR IV

New lenssensorand imaging engineplus a Ricoh GF-2 external flash

By cjfeola in Pentax Announcements on Aug 202025

The RICOH GR IVsporting a newly developed ~26 megapixel APS-C-size image sensor and a newly designed lens to improve image quality while reducing overall body depthplus a newhigh-capacity rechargeable lithium-ion battery that provides improved battery life has been launchedRicoh Imaging Americas Corporation announced this evening. 

The GR IV stands out as a compelling new chapter for Pentax and Ricoh enthusiastsblending the GR-series’ renowned portability with state-of-the-art innovation that fans have come to expect from these brands. Pentax users will especially appreciate the GR IV’s meticulous optical engineering — from its new aspherical-rich lens design that delivers exceptional edge-to-edge sharpnessto the back-illuminated APS-C sensor and GR Engine 7 that together provide class-leading image quality and stunning high-ISO performance. The inclusion of advanced five-axis in-body stabilization (up to six stops) and the fastest start-up in GR history ensure the camera is always ready to capture fleeting momentsin true snapshot tradition. Add in robust creative controlsexpanded internal storageand seamless integration with Ricoh’s new GF-2 external flashand the GR IV not only honors the legacy of Pentax’s pursuit of high-performance engineering in compact formbut also raises the bar for creative freedomresponsivenessand sheer photographic enjoyment for dedicated fans of the Pentax and Ricoh systems.

The RICOH GR IV will be available mid-September at www.us.ricoh-imaging.com as well as at Ricoh Imaging-authorized retail outlets nationwide for a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1499.95.

Pre-order your GR IV today at B&H Photo!

The accompanying RICOH GF-2a compactultra-lightweight flash providing auto flash when mounted on the RICOH GR IVwas also announced by Ricoh Imaging Americas. The RICOH GF-2 External Flash will be available in September at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $119.95. 

In Canada, the RICOH GR IV is $1,899.99while the RICOH GF-2 External Flash is $149.99

The GR IV's newly designed 18.3mm F2.8 GR lens delivers exceptional imaging performance with a slim designwhile retaining the 28mm angle of view (equivalent in the 35mm format) and F2.8 maximum aperture of the GR IIIaccording to Ricoh Imaging Americas. The lens has seven optical elements in five groupsincorporates glass-molded aspherical lens elements — including a large-diameter element used as a final lens — and high-refractionlow-dispersion glass elements to deliver high-contrasthigh-resolution images with edge-to-edge sharpnesswhile minimizing distortion and chromatic aberration.

That lens is matched with a newly designedback-illuminated APS-C-size CMOS image sensor for higher sensitivity and reduced noise with an upgraded GR ENGINE 7 imaging engine. The GR IV also features the RICOH-original accelerator unitdesigned to optimize the high signal-to noise ratio image data captured by the image sensor and deliver it to the imaging engineensuring top sensitivity of ISO 204800 for super-high-sensitivity photography.

The GR IV incorporates an updated version of the original SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism built into the camera bodyenabling it to effectively compensate for camera shake at the time of shutter release. Assisted by a much-improved compensation algorithmthis five-axis mechanism minimizes adverse effects caused by pitchyaw and roll during normal shootingas well as shake during macro photographyby up to six shutter stepsmeasured in conformity with 2024 CIPA standardsaccording to Ricoh Imaging Americas.

The GR IV’s newly designed lens barrel and optimized start-up sequence reduce start-up time to approximately 0.6 seconds – the shortest in GR history. This combination also reduces the time required for switching to the Macro shooting mode and during lens storage.

Autofocus speed and precision has also been improved by the camera’s high-speed lens driving mechanism and the image sensor’s high-speed data readout. Low-light autofocus speed and precisionand the coverage area of the image-plane phase-matching AF system have also been optimized to greatly improve the GR IV’s overall AF performance.

The GR IV has added a new Cinema mode to Image Control. In addition to the 12 conventional effect modes of the Image Control functionthe GR IV now features new yellow or green tone Cinema modes reminiscent of nostalgic film-format movies. In addition to basic parameters such as SaturationHueKeyContrast and Grain Effect,* this new mode also lets the user adjust two other parameters—strength and size. User-selected settings can be added to the Image Control menu as a custom mode. Selectable Image Control modes for the GR IV are: MonotoneSoft MonotoneHard MonotoneHigh-contrast B&WNegative FilmPositive FilmCinema (Yellow)Cinema (Green)

The GR IV also features approximately 53GB of built-in storage; Bluetooth 5.3; full H.264 HD Movie recording; and a crop mode that captures 15-megapixel images at 35mmand 7-megapixel at 50mm field-of-view 35mm format equivalents.

New GR World App for Wireless Image Transfer and Remote Shooting

Free app for GR IIGR IIIGR III HDFGR IIIxGR IIIx HDF

By cjfeola in Pentax Announcements on Jul 152025

The new free GR World app offers Ricoh GR users wireless image transferremote shooting functionslocation information and moreRicoh Imaging announced July 15 in Tokyo.

GR World will be available free July 23 for Android devices in the Google Play Store and for iOS devices in the Apple App Store.

With the GR World App photographers will be able to:

• Import images and display the images stored in the camera on your smart device and transfer them via wireless LAN

• Shoot remotelyoperating the camera's shutter release and self-timer from the application when connected via Bluetooth

• Location information transmission function that sends the smartphone's location information to the camera while connected via Bluetooth® * and records the location information on the captured image

• Album and widget-compatible functions that allow you to organize imported images into albums and display them as widgets on the home screen of your smart device

The GR WORLD appavailable July 232025 for freeis compatible with the following Ricoh GR models:

• RICOH GR II: V1.10 or later
• RICOH GR III / GR III HDF: V2.00 or later
• RICOH GR IIIx / GR IIIx HDF: V1.50 or later

Owners of compatible Ricoh GR models can download and install GR World from the Google Play Store for devices running Android OS 13-15,  or from the Apple App Store for devices running iOS 16-18. GR World requires Bluetooth® to work.

Astrophotography Assistance Firmware Features now available in the US

For the K-1K-1 IIK-3 IIIand K-3 III Monochrome

By PF Staff in Pentax Announcements on Jul 132025

Last Novembera firmware update introduced several handy astrophotography-specific features for the Pentax K-3 IIIK-3 III MonochromeK-1 IIand K-1.  Similar to the Neutral Density Filter Simulator feature added the year beforethese premium features were originally available only in Japanand later rolled out in Europe.  Nowthey are available for US and Canadian users tooperfect for deep sky imaging enthusiasts!

The Astrophotography Assistance package includes the followingwhich can be unlocked using a special code that can be purchased for your camera from Ricoh.

• Star AF
• Remote Control Focus Fine Adjustment
• Astro photo Image processing

Visit the Ricoh Imaging website to purchase and unlock these features

More details are available in an addendum to the user manual.

We will cover these features in-depth in a future reviewas well as in the Pentax K-3 III eBook.  Stay tuned!