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Image: Ricoh |
Ricoh has announced that the GR IV HDF is officially coming in January, slightly later than the “winter 2025” date the company gave when it announced the camera in October. As expected, the variant of the popular compact keeps just about everything consistent with the original model, but swaps out the internal ND filter for one that produces softer highlights.
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| Image: Ricoh |
As the name suggests, the main focus of the GR IV HDF is the integrated highlight diffusion filter (HDF). Ricoh says the filter is the result of its advanced inkjet technology. It produces an overall diffused, soft look, but the effect is especially visible in the highlights. The HDF can be turned on or off with a single-action switch, providing quick access to the feature.
The Ricoh GR IV HDF also adds an electronically controlled shutter mechanism, which enables shutter speeds up to 1/16,000 sec, a substantial boost from the original GR IV’s 1/4000 sec max shutter speed. Those with the original model also benefit from this change, as the mechanism can be installed on the GR IV with new firmware available at the time of the GR IV HDF launch. However, it’s currently unclear how much of a concern rolling shutter will be when using the camera’s e-shutter mode.
Beyond the HDF and shutter speed, the new variant keeps all the same functionality and features of the original version. That includes its 18.3mm (28mm equiv) F2.8 lens, 25.74MP APS-C sensor, 5-axis image stabilization and 3-inch LCD.
Luckily, Ricoh isn’t keeping fans waiting much longer. The GR IV HDF will be available in late January for $1600, $100 more than the original GR IV.
Press release:
RICOH launches RICOH GR IV HDF
Highlight Diffusion Filter softens light sources and diffuses highlights for more expressive images
PARSIPPANY, NJ, December 16, 2025 — Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation today announced the launch of the RICOH GR IV HDF. Based on the RICOH GR IV premium digital compact camera, this new model incorporates an HDF (Highlight Diffusion Filter) designed to deliver a mellow, diffused expression with a single-action control.
While inheriting the fundamental merits of the GR IV base model – exceptional image quality, flawless point-and-shoot operation, and outstanding portability – this new model also incorporates the RICOH-original HDF(Highlight Diffusion Filter), enabling the user to capture mellow, soft images with diffused highlight areas, in addition to the clear, sharply focused images made famous by its base model. This creative versatility expands the visual expression boundaries of snapshot photography.
The RICOH GR IV HDF is scheduled to be showcased at GR SPACE in Tokyo, Shanghai, Beijing and Brisbane beginning on Wednesday, December 17, 2025; in each of these locations, visitors can try out this new model firsthand.
| Pricing and Availability |
The RICOH GR IV HDF will be available late January at www.us.ricoh-imaging.com as well as at Ricoh Imaging-authorized retail outlets nationwide for a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1,599.95.
| Main features of the new RICOH GR IV HDF |
- Single-action switching to the built-in HDF, to create mellow, soft images
The GR IV HDF incorporates the RICOH-original HDF (Highlight Diffusion Filter), which is designed to emphasize highlights and produce mellow, soft images. Developed by taking advantage of the advanced inkjet technology RICOH has cultivated over the years, this special-effect filter diffuses highlight areas and creates a blurred effect along the image’s edges, making it possible to capture nostalgic images resembling those captured in film photography or movies. Since the HDF can be instantly switched on and off with a single action, it lets the user alternate between two completely different visual expressions — clear, sharply focused images representative of the RICOH GR series, and mellow, soft images captured by the HDF —depending on the subject or creative intention.
Note: The development process of the HDF is explained in greater detail in the technologies section of the official RICOH website.
- High-speed electronic shutter with a top speed of 1/16,000 second for shooting at extremely bright locations
In addition to a conventional mechanical shutter unit, the GR IV HDF also features an electronically controlled shutter mechanism*, which allows the user to intentionally raise the shutter speed up to 1/16,000 second, making it possible to capture images at extremely bright locations while still setting a larger aperture.
* This mechanism can also be installed on the RICOH GR IV using new function expansion firmware (scheduled to be released following the launch of the RICOH GR IV HDF).
The color of the shutter-release button has been changed from the GR IV’s black to grayish silver, to symbolize the camera’s ability to instantly shift the image’s visual expression. The default setting of the Fn (Function) button is set to the on/off action of the HDF.*
* The default setting of the Fn button can be changed to other functions.
Note: All other functions of the RICOH GR IV HDF are identical to those of the RICOH GR IV, except for the availability of the ND (Neutral Density) filter.