Ricoh Unveils GR IV HDF Compact Camera With Built-In Highlight Diffusion Filter

Ricoh Imaging has expanded its GR series with the launch of the RICOH GR IV HDF, a new iteration of its high-end compact digital camera designed to broaden creative expression by introducing soft, diffused highlights alongside the series’ signature image quality.

The GR IV HDF is built on the foundation of the standard GR IV, inheriting its compact form, high-resolution imaging and quick handling characteristics that have made the GR lineup popular among street, travel and everyday photographers.

What sets the new model apart is Ricoh’s proprietary Highlight Diffusion Filter (HDF), which can be activated with a single control to deliver mellow, soft images with gently diffused highlights, without compromising the camera’s overall performance.

This creative versatility allows users to alternate between the clear, sharply focused results the GR series is known for and more nostalgic, film-like visuals simply by turning the HDF on or off, making it suitable for a wider range of subjects and artistic intentions. The built-in HDF effectively diffuses bright areas and edges for a distinctive look often sought in portraiture and mood-driven photography.

Despite the addition of the diffusion filter, the GR IV HDF retains much of the same specification set as its base model, including a 26-megapixel sensor, a fast hybrid autofocus system, and a robust shutter mechanism. It features a high-speed electronic shutter with a top speed of 1/16,000 second, allowing greater control over exposure in challenging lighting situations.

Cosmetically, the shutter-release button has been updated from black to a greyish silver finish, symbolising the camera’s dual-expression capabilities and providing a subtle visual cue to its expanded feature set. All other core functions remain consistent with the standard GR IV, ensuring that users familiar with the series can transition to the HDF model with ease.

The RICOH GR IV HDF is being showcased at Ricoh’s GR SPACE locations in Tokyo, Shanghai, Beijing and Brisbane starting 17 December 2025, allowing photographers and enthusiasts to experience the new model firsthand.

As of now, there’s no word yet on local availability or pricing for Malaysia. That said, the GR IV HDF is scheduled for a broader launch in January, so we should be hearing more concrete details when the time comes.