Ricoh just gave the GR IV lineup a new creative twist: meet the Ricoh GR IV HDF, a version of the GR IV that adds a built-in Highlight Diffusion Filter (HDF) for a softer, more "filmic" look at the press of a button.
Ricoh GR IV HDF Coming in late January 2026
The idea is straightforward but genuinely useful. You still get the GR IV’s signature strengths - sharp image quality, fast point-and-shoot handling, and true pocket-friendly portability - but now you can instantly flip into a diffused rendering that softens light sources and blooms highlights for a mellow, nostalgic vibe. In other words, one camera, two very different visual personalities: classic crisp GR or soft, dreamy HDF depending on the scene (or your mood).
Standard vs HDF Effect
Ricoh says the GR IV HDF will start appearing for hands-on demos at GR SPACE locations in Tokyo, Shanghai, Beijing, and Brisbane starting December 17, 2025, and it’s expected to go on sale in the US in late January for $1,599.95.
Beyond the new filter, one of the notable functional additions is a high-speed electronic shutter up to 1/16,000s, which is especially handy for shooting wide open in harsh, bright light. Ricoh also tweaked the hardware cues a bit: the shutter button is now grayish-silver, and the Fn button is set by default to toggle the HDF on/off (though you can reassign it).
Standard vs HDF Effect
Everything else is essentially GR IV territory with one key tradeoff: on the HDF version, the ND filter is not available.
Ricoh GR IV HDF Key Specs
- Announcement Date: 2025-12-17
- 26MP - APS-C CMOS Sensor
- No Anti-aliasing (AA) filter
- ISO 100 - 204800
- 28 mm (18mm FF equiv.) f2.80 Prime Lens
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization( Up to 6.0-stops)
- 3.00" Fixed Type Screen
- 4.0fps continuous shooting
- Full HD - 1920 x 1080 video resolution
- Built-in Wireless
- 262g. 109 x 61 x 33 mm
- Replaced Ricoh GR III HDF Compare
- Read the Review
- Check Price at: Amazon, B&H Photo
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.
