Ricoh just announced its first dedicated black and white camera, the GR IV Monochrome, targeting professional photographers who want pure monochromatic capture without digital conversion compromises. Expected to launch in Spring 2026, this specialized variant of the recently released GR IV features a custom monochrome sensor that delivers higher light sensitivity and eliminates the color filter array that typically reduces image quality in black and white photography.
Ricoh is making a bold play for the niche but passionate monochrome photography market with its upcoming GR IV Monochrome, marking the company's first camera designed exclusively for black and white capture. The announcement comes just weeks after Ricoh launched the standard GR IV in September, suggesting the company sees serious demand for specialized monochrome tools.
The timing isn't coincidental. Professional photographers have long complained that converting color images to black and white in post-processing never quite matches the quality of native monochrome sensors. By removing the Bayer color filter array entirely, monochrome sensors capture more light per pixel and deliver superior detail in grayscale images - something that's become increasingly important as film photography experiences a renaissance.
According to official specifications from Ricoh, the GR IV Monochrome will feature a 25.7-megapixel monochrome CMOS sensor paired with the same 28mm-equivalent f/2.8 autofocus lens found on the standard model. But here's where it gets interesting - the monochrome version pushes ISO sensitivity up to 409,600, well beyond the standard GR IV's range.
"This camera will feature Image Control options specialized to deliver the expressiveness and depth unique to monochromatic images," Ricoh stated in its development announcement. That suggests custom processing algorithms designed specifically for black and white photography, rather than simply stripping color data from a traditional sensor.
The camera inherits the GR IV's premium features including five-axis image stabilization, a three-inch touchscreen LCD, and approximately 53GB of built-in storage. The external design remains nearly identical, with one notable exception - Ricoh swapped the white GR logo for black, a subtle but fitting aesthetic choice.
Pricing remains under wraps, but given the standard GR IV launched at $1,500, expect the monochrome variant to command a premium. Dedicated monochrome cameras occupy a tiny but lucrative market segment - Leica's Q2 Monochrom retails for over $5,000, while Phase One's medium format monochrome backs cost tens of thousands.
