Ricoh GR II vs Ricoh GR IV Monochrome: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Ricoh GR II 4.5 e⁻ (ISO 100), Ricoh GR IV Monochrome 3.5 e⁻ (ISO 160).

Dual gain: Ricoh GR II none, Ricoh GR IV Monochrome ISO 800.

Ricoh GR II

The Ricoh GR II was measured at 25 ISO settings from ISO 100 to ISO 25600. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 0.48 DN, or 4.5 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 1000 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Full well at base ISO is about 38,641 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 940.

Ricoh GR IV Monochrome

The Ricoh GR IV Monochrome was measured at 35 ISO settings from ISO 160 to ISO 409600. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (160) read noise is 1.99 DN, or 3.5 electrons at the sensor. A second gain (dual gain) kicks in at ISO 800, cutting input-referred read noise by about 1.1 stop. From ISO 20000 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Full well at base ISO is about 28,746 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 280.

Ricoh GR II vs Ricoh GR IV Monochrome read noise table

ISO	Ricoh GR II	Ricoh GR IV Monochrome
100	0.480	–
125	0.543	–
160	0.497	1.986
200	0.616	2.329
250	0.722	2.969
320	0.877	3.458
400	1.110	4.199
500	1.320	5.169
640	1.591	6.320
800	2.056	3.732
1000	2.144	4.500
1250	3.204	5.816
1600	4.317	7.111
2000	6.063	8.634
2500	6.681	11.004
3200	9.126	13.548
4000	11.314	17.030
5000	13.642	20.966
6400	17.268	26.355
8000	21.556	33.128
10000	26.909	40.224
12800	34.535	49.867
16000	42.518	59.714
20000	52.710	52.710
25600	68.594	65.799
32000	–	83.286
40000	–	105.420
51200	–	133.436
64000	–	163.144
80000	–	205.074
102400	–	259.574
128000	–	321.795
160000	–	407.315
204800	–	515.561
256000	–	643.591
320000	–	803.414
409600	–	995.999

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