The cool point-and-shoot camera market continues to pop off as one of the more popular “snap shooter” brands is doubling down on its own coolness—at least in terms of how it handles highlights.
The popular Ricoh GR IV point-and-shoot camera is getting a new HDF version, which features a highlight diffusion filter that should help render highlights with a diffused, soft, and often blurred effect. A look that should be quite popular for photographers (and, yes, videographers too) looking to capture shots that look more ethereal and dreamlike.
Here’s what you need to know about this new Ricoh GR IV HDF and what it could possibly offer for your photo and video needs.
The New Ricoh GR IV HDF
Designed by Ricoh to be a snap shooter with a twist, this compact fixed lens point-and-shoot camera is getting a selectable HDF filter that will replace the ND filter that is in the standard edition of the camera.
Other than this new highlight diffusion filter, the camera is pretty much the same as it will still include its 25.7MP BSI CMOS sensor, 28mm-equivalent lens, fast AF, refined Shake Reduction, and the quality wireless settings control, which can be accessed via the company’s GR WORLD app.
This new built-in HDF will certainly help those looking to capture shots with diffused highlights for a softer, blurred effect that renders images with a more dreamlike and nostalgic quality. You can turn off this HDF using a single button (which will say “HDF”), so it could be a fun addition to try out, but not necessarily always use.
Ricoh GR IV
Credit: Ricoh
Video Shooting Modes
Of course, as you’d expect with a hip point-and-shoot, the Ricoh GR IV HDF will certainly be most appealing to photographers and those looking for a fun and easy travel camera. However, with its 25.7MP APS-C CMOS sensor, it should be quite capable for both photo and video needs.
Its sensor, which pairs with an updated GR ENGINE 7 processor, will be able to achieve a full stop better low-light performance along with a faster 0.6-sec startup time, quicker focusing performance, up to ISO 204800, and the same versatile 14-bit DNG and JPEG recording as its predecessor.
For video, the GR IV HDF is set to be capable of recording Full HD 1080 video at 60p, 30p, and 24p frame rates.
Ricoh GR IV
Credit: Ricoh
Price and Availability
What’s nice about the Ricoh brand in general is that it’s quite affordable, at least when compared to its Leica and other higher-end competition. The Ricoh GR IV HDF is available for preorder now, and here are the full specs and purchase options.
- Built-in Highlight Diffusion Filter
- 25.7MP APS-C BSI CMOS Sensor
- New 28mm f/2.8 Lens (Full-Frame Equiv.)
- Improved AF and Low-Light Focusing
- 5-Axis 6-Stop Shake Reduction System
- 3.0" 1.04m-Dot Touchscreen LCD
- 53GB Built-In Memory & microSD Card Slot
- Full HD 1080/60p Video Recording
- Snap Distance Priority & Focus Limiter
- GR WORLD App for Updates and Control
Ricoh GR IV HDF Digital Camera
The "ultimate snap shooter" with a twist, the Ricoh GR IV HDF is a specialized version of the popular compact fixed-lens camera, now featuring a built-in Highlight Diffusion Filter that renders highlights with a diffused, soft, and blurred effect for a more dreamlike and ethereal image quality.
