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Ricoh

GR II

Classic APS-C GR with 16.2MP sensor, 28mm equivalent lens, built-in flash, Wi-Fi, and snap-focus street ergonomics.

$799

Released Jun 2015

vs

Ricoh

GR IV Monochrome

Monochrome-only GR IV with 25.74MP APS-C sensor, red filter mode, 5-axis SR, and classic 28mm pocket street-camera design.

$1,699

Released Jan 2026

GR IV Monochrome is 10.6 years newer.

Wins

3categories

GR II

Wins

2categories

GR IV Monochrome

PortraitVlogging

4 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

GR II wins 3 categories·GR IV Monochrome wins 2 categories
  • BGR IV Monochrome has higher ISO max (native) (409,600 vs 25,600)
  • AGR II has lower ISO min (native) (100 vs 160)
  • BGR IV Monochrome has higher Resolution (25.74 MP vs 16.2 MP)
  • AGR II has higher Battery life (CIPA) (320 shots vs 250 shots)
  • AGR II has lower Weight (251 g vs 262 g)

Key specs at a glance

GR IIGR IV Monochrome
Resolution16.2 MP25.74 MP
SensorAPS-CAPS-C
ISO max25,600409,600
Burst4 fps4 fps
4K60 fps60 fps
IBISNoYes
Weight251 g262 g
Battery320 shots250 shots

Size and weight, to scale

GR II

117 × 63 × 35 mm

251 g (0.55 lb / 8.85 oz)

GR IV Monochrome

109 × 61 × 33 mm

262 g (0.58 lb / 9.24 oz)

GR II is 8mm wider, 2mm taller, and 2mm thicker than GR IV Monochrome.

GR II is 11 g lighter than GR IV Monochrome.

Depth (front-to-back): 35mm GR II · 33mm GR IV Monochrome

Sensor size, to scale

GR II

23.7 × 15.7 mm · APS-C

372 mm² area

GR IV Monochrome

23.3 × 15.5 mm · APS-C

361 mm² area

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseGR IIGR IV Monochrome
Portrait
2.5Limited
6.5Good✓ wins
Sports & Action
0.5Limited
0.5Limited
Video & Hybrid
2.5Limited
3.5Limited✓ wins
Landscape
0.0Limited
2.5Limited✓ wins
Travel
4.5Fair
5.5Fair✓ wins
Wildlife
0.0Limited
1.0Limited✓ wins
Vlogging
3.5Limited
6.5Good✓ wins

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

GR II

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 117, 62.8, 34.7

  • Card types

    Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC UHS-I

  • ISO min (native)

    100 vs 160 — lower is better

  • Battery life (CIPA)

    320 shots vs 250 shots — higher is better

  • Weight

    251 g vs 262 g — lower is better

Reasons to choose

GR IV Monochrome

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 109.4, 61.1, 32.7

  • Card types

    Adds microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC UHS-I

  • ISO max (native)

    409,600 vs 25,600 — higher is better

  • Eye AF

    Only GR IV Monochrome supports it

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Eye

  • Codecs

    Adds MOV

  • In-body stabilization

    Only GR IV Monochrome supports it

  • Touchscreen

    Only GR IV Monochrome supports it

Both cameras share

  • Burst (mechanical)Both 4 fps
  • Burst (electronic)Both 4 fps
  • 4K max frame rateBoth 60 fps
  • Card slotsBoth 1
  • Wi-FiBoth support wi-fi

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

GR II

Pros

  • APS-C sensor
  • 28mm GR lens
  • Built-in flash
  • Great used value

Cons

  • Older 16MP sensor
  • No IBIS
  • Fixed lens

GR IV Monochrome

Pros

  • Monochrome APS-C sensor
  • ISO 160-409600
  • 5-axis SR
  • Red filter mode

Cons

  • Black-and-white only
  • Fixed lens
  • Full HD video only

Full specifications

= category winner

GR II
GR IV Monochrome
Resolution
16.2 MP
25.74 MP+59%
Sensor type
APS-C CMOS
APS-C Monochrome CMOS
Sensor size
23.7 x 15.7 mm
23.3 x 15.5 mm
AA filter
No
No
GR II
GR IV Monochrome
AF system
Contrast AF
Hybrid AF (image-plane phase detection + contrast detection)
AF points / zones
49
Eye AF
No
Yes
Animal / bird AF
No
No
Subject recognition
Face
Face, Eye
GR II
GR IV Monochrome
Burst (mechanical)
4 fps
4 fps
Burst (electronic)
4 fps
4 fps
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
No
No
RAW buffer depth
10 frames
GR II
GR IV Monochrome
Max resolution
Full HD
Full HD
4K max frame rate
60 fps
60 fps
Max video bit rate
150 Mbps
Internal RAW video
No
No
Log profile
Standard profiles
Standard profiles
Codecs
MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, MOV
GR II
GR IV Monochrome
Weight
251 g−11 g less
262 g
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
117 × 62.8 × 34.7 mm
109.4 × 61.1 × 32.7 mm
Weather sealing
No
No

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for portraits, GR II or GR IV Monochrome?

GR IV Monochrome scores 6.5/10 versus 2.5/10 for GR II — 25.74MP — solid resolution.

What's the resolution difference between the GR II and GR IV Monochrome?

GR II is 16.2 MP and GR IV Monochrome is 25.74 MP, so the GR IV Monochrome captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the GR II and GR IV Monochrome have in-body image stabilization?

GR II does not have IBIS, while gR IV Monochrome has in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the GR II or the GR IV Monochrome?

GR II reaches 4 fps electronic. GR IV Monochrome reaches 4 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the GR II and GR IV Monochrome?

GR II weighs 251 g and GR IV Monochrome weighs 262 g, so the GR II is 11 g lighter.

Do the GR II and GR IV Monochrome record 4K video?

GR II: 4K up to 60p. GR IV Monochrome: 4K up to 60p.

Are the GR II and GR IV Monochrome weather sealed?

GR II: No. GR IV Monochrome: No.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 320 shots (CIPA) for the GR II and 250 shots for the GR IV Monochrome, giving the GR II the edge.

How much does each cost?

GR II launched at $799 and GR IV Monochrome at $1,699. The GR II is $900 less.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.