I love black-and-white photography. I also adore compact cameras you can always have by your side. So I’m a total mark for the Ricoh GR IV Monochrome, a fixed-lens camera that can’t zoom and can’t record color — at all. It’s a formula that makes the average person ask, “Why?”
Technology
Allow me to explain why I love this camera that can’t shoot color
I’ve tested the GR IV Monochrome for over a month, taking it with me everywhere and photographing everything. Let me explain how this pricey little point-and-shoot is likely to go down as one of my all-time-favorite cameras.
$2197
The Good
- Excellent black-and-white image quality
- Everything great about the standard GR IV: sharp lens, small size, solid focusing
- Fantastic high-ISO noise performance
- Limiting yourself to black and white has creative benefits
The Bad
- Expensive for a Ricoh GR
- Face / eye tracking autofocus pales in comparison to the bigger camera brands
- Short battery life (about 200-ish shots)
Ricoh GRs are some of the most unassuming, no-frills cameras around, and they have been since their conception in the film days. In the digital era, they’re pocket-size point-and-shoots with a large APS-C sensor permanently attached to a fixed focal length lens. If you’re familiar with Fujifilm’s popular X100 line, it’s like trimming one of those down to the bare minimum — that means no viewfinder and no fancy aperture ring. The X100 and other coveted street cameras like Leicas offer vintage-style shooting and double as lifestyle accessories or shoulder-carried jewelry (with prices to match). But a Ricoh GR is purely a shooter’s camera, with unabashedly modern methods of being used. Atop the camera is a typical mode dial, with customizable user presets, not an old-timey shutter speed dial.
The GR IV Monochrome takes last year’s Ricoh GR IV, strips out the color filter from the sensor, and replaces its built-in ND filter with a red filter (for one-click contrast adjustment purely using optics). Functionally, the alteration to the sensor gives the GR Monochrome an elevated ISO range of 160 to 409,600 and makes it better in low-light shooting (because color noise looks worse at high ISO than pure luminance grain). It maintains the upgrades established with the GR IV: improved autofocusing for its 28mm-equivalent f/2.8 lens, a 26-megapixel APS-C sensor, and 53GB of internal storage (supported by a microSD card slot).
1/15The $120 Ricoh GF-2 add-on flash is a great addition for the camera. It’s best for close-up subjects, but it creates a nice high-key look in black and white.
Using the GR IV Monochrome feels just like the standard GR IV, with key functions that help it thrive in impromptu street-style shooting. It powers on and is ready to shoot in less than one second, and at any moment you can quickly full-press the shutter to forgo autofocusing and take a shot at a preset focus distance. Ricoh calls this Snap Focus, and it allows you to easily shoot from the hip with zone focusing — a staple of street photographers. The GR is all about spontaneity. Its autofocus system has face and eye detection, but it’s just a serviceable helper. The main way to use the GR is with single-point focusing and quickly moving it around the touchscreen. Many hardcore photographers will loathe its lack of an electronic viewfinder, but I’ve come to terms with its forgoing one for the sake of size.
But being forced into a black-and-white view of the world through this camera’s LCD is where the real magic happens. Any digital camera can be set to black-and-white mode, but not having the choice pushes you to look more intently at light and tonality. I pay extra attention to my compositions and seek out textures and tones I might ignore when shooting color. I know the camera can’t see color, so I mentally adjust my eye and my creativity to match — knowing there’s no bailout or reverting back to color in post. A more disciplined shooter may not feel they need all that, but I’ve shot enough on the GR IV Monochrome, other black-and-white-only cameras, and film cameras to know that I’m feasting when working with some limitations.
1/23
That’s the same ethos that drives people to go back to analog photography and digicams, or use toy-like cameras, but the GR IV Monochrome also unlocks the ability to shoot at extravagantly high ISOs in just about any light. The f/2.8 maximum aperture of the GR’s lens isn’t as fast as the f/1.7 and f/2 lenses of the Leica Q and Fujifilm X100 cameras of the world, but it’s fast enough when you barely notice much noise until ISO 25,600 and even a six-digit ISO is perfectly usable (even before denoising in post-processing software).
The other big way the GR IV sets itself apart from its Leica and Fujifilm competitors is that this camera is actually pocketable. I have ventured out of the house many times with my personal Leica Q2 slung over my shoulder, sans camera bag, ready to go on a little photo adventure or capture memories with family or friends. But it’s even easier to drop a Ricoh GR into a purse, diaper bag, or even a jacket / rear pants pocket. It turns any outing or errand into an opportunity to dabble in your creativity. These are snapshot-y moments that would usually be reserved for the camera you always have with you: your phone. But with the GR IV Monochrome, I feel more empowered and motivated to create something special and purposeful.
1/31
Am I creating art at the grocery store that’s worthy of the white walls of a Chelsea gallery? No. But seeing my own personal world through a black-and-white lens of such quality is enchanting. And there’s nothing wrong with feeling a little “artsy” sometimes, even if you’re just auditioning for the art critic in your own head.
The mundanity of our humdrum lives feels elevated when given the timeless quality of black and white. Lately, it’s felt even more authentic to me and worthy of appreciation, since generative AI is making so much of our world feel fake. It’s now commonplace to doubt everything we see as a possible deepfake or a dubious con — even from our own government. Black-and-white imagery still feels precious and real, at least as long as the AI-obsessed tech platforms don’t focus their Eye of Sauron of Enshittification on this niche of the medium.
To be fair, cameras that can’t shoot color aren’t new. Leica has been making its Monochrom variants of Q and M cameras for nearly 14 years. But priced at nearly $8,000 to $11,000 and up, they’re mostly unattainable to an average enthusiast. At $2,199.95, the GR IV Monochrome isn’t cheap but it’s much more grounded and feasible to own one without it being your only possession. And frankly, it’s less hoity-toity and snobbish when your second, third, or fourth camera — the “artsy” one — doesn’t cost more than a used car.
1/34
I’d be lying if I said that’s not part of why I dig the GR IV Monochrome so much. I’d love to one day personally own a Leica Monochrom of some sort, but it’s hard not to opt for the catch-all color camera when you’re spending that kind of money (hence why I own a Leica Q2 and not a Q2 Monochrom). But since my brain was broken by Leica and pro-level mirrorless system prices years ago, I can simultaneously look at the GR IV Monochrome and think, “$2,200? That’s not bad,” and also “GR cameras used to be like 900 bucks — what gives?”
It’s the everyday companion status of the GR IV Monochrome that makes it extra-extra special. With this little guy in your pocket, with that kind of image quality and light gathering potential, it feels like a permission slip to capture a sense of authentic wonder wherever you go. The standard GR IV is the logical version to get, allowing you to capture the vibrancy of your world. But the more hardcore GR IV Monochrome brings the romance, gritty realism, and magic.
Photography by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge
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I’ll never stop gushing about 2-in-1 USB-C cables. They’re really nice to have because, at this point, I’ve amassed so many devices that charge via USB-C. It’s also common for more than one to need to be recharged at a time, which is where they come in handy. I can charge my Nintendo Switch 2 and work-issued MacBook Air, or my Google Pixel 9 Pro and Kindle, without taking up more than one port on the power adapter.
A couple of models that offer up to 140W passthrough charging speeds are currently matching their lowest price to date — including Anker’s braided option, which is available from Amazon and Anker in black or white starting at $14.99 ($3 off). If you don’t mind paying a bit more for a slightly longer cable, Native Union’s recycled 6.5-foot Belt Cable, which features an animal-free leather strap, is down to $23.99 ($6 off) in black or a zebra-like pattern directly from the manufacturer.
While the two cables are slightly different lengths, functionality is identical. Both cables support USB 2.0 speeds topping out at 480 Mbps when connected to a data source, and only the first device connected to the two-headed cable can transfer data. They can also automatically allocate power across devices, depending on the speed of your wall adapter, sending more wattage to the higher-powered of the two devices you have plugged in.
There are plenty of wall adapters that pair well with these cables, too, the kind that deliver zippy charging speeds to your connected devices. One example is Anker’s own four-port 140W charger, which offers three USB-C ports and a USB-A port. Normally $99.99, it’s currently down to $79.99 at Amazon for Prime members.
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Booking a flight can feel like a guessing game. You search once, spot a decent price, come back later and suddenly it is higher. Most people shrug and assume demand changed. Now, a new lawsuit against JetBlue is challenging that idea.
The proposed class action claims the airline tracked a customer’s behavior during the booking process for the purpose of setting or adjusting ticket prices. According to the complaint, that data was collected without clear consent and may have included browsing activity and other user characteristics. The lawsuit also alleges that customers were not informed if their data was being shared or sold to third parties.
JetBlue strongly disputes the allegation. The airline says fares depend on demand and seat availability, not personal browsing behavior. Still, the case taps into a growing concern that goes far beyond one airline.
5 WORRISOME PRIVACY CLAUSES HIDDEN IN SMART HOME DEVICES
A new lawsuit against JetBlue raises questions about how airfare prices are set. (Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto)
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What the JetBlue lawsuit claims about pricing data
The lawsuit, filed by New York resident Andrew Phillips in federal court in New York, alleges that JetBlue monitored user activity on its website using tracking tools while he searched for flights. According to the complaint, that data was used to help adjust prices in real time.
It also claims that when a user searched for a flight, left the site and later returned to complete the booking, the fare increased. The filing suggests this may have been tied to tracking technology rather than normal pricing changes.
The complaint further alleges that this data was collected without clear disclosure and that users may not have been aware of how their information was being gathered or used.
“Consumers should not have to have their privacy rights violated to participate in the digital race for airline tickets,” the lawsuit alleges.
The airline disputes these claims. In a public statement, JetBlue said it does not use personal data or browsing history to set individual prices and that all customers have access to the same fares at the same time.
CyberGuy reached out to JetBlue for additional comment, but did not hear back before our deadline.
The bigger issue: surveillance pricing in airlines
The lawsuit centers on a concept called surveillance pricing. That refers to companies using personal data to adjust prices for different people. Surveillance pricing extends beyond airlines. It has become a broader concern as more companies rely on AI and advanced analytics.
In theory, two people could search for the same flight at the same time and see different prices based on factors like location, device type or browsing history. Companies rarely confirm this practice outright, but consumer advocates have raised concerns for years.
Airlines have long used dynamic pricing, which changes fares based on demand. The key question here is whether personal data plays a role in that calculation.
How AI is changing airline pricing behind the scenes
Many carriers now rely on artificial intelligence to analyze booking patterns, predict demand shifts and adjust fares in real time. We recently reported on this shift, showing how AI is reshaping the way travelers book flights and how prices are set across the industry. These systems can process large amounts of data at once, including route demand, seasonal trends and competitor pricing.
While airlines say this improves efficiency, it can also make pricing feel less predictable to the average traveler. That is what makes the current lawsuit stand out. It raises the question of whether AI-driven pricing could go a step further by factoring in more detailed data about how people search and book, something airlines like JetBlue say they do not use for individual pricing.
Travelers often see prices change between searches, but the reasons are not always clear. (Chris J. Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
JetBlue’s viral response and why it matters
300,000 CHROME USERS HIT BY FAKE AI EXTENSIONS
Part of the lawsuit points to a social media exchange that quickly drew attention. A customer posted about a $230 jump in ticket price after checking a flight the day before while trying to book travel for a funeral.
In response, JetBlue suggested clearing cookies or using an incognito window. The comment was later deleted. According to the lawsuit, that response appeared to acknowledge that browsing behavior could influence pricing.
JetBlue disputes that interpretation. The airline said the reply came from a customer service employee and was a mistake. It also stated that clearing cookies or using private browsing would not change the fares available for purchase.
Even so, the exchange struck a nerve. For many travelers, it reinforced a long-standing suspicion that repeated searches or personal data might affect what they pay, even as airlines deny using that information for pricing.
Why airline ticket prices change so fast
Before assuming the worst, it helps to understand how airline pricing works today. Airlines use complex systems that adjust fares constantly. Prices can change within minutes based on demand, available seats, route popularity and competitor pricing.
If a flight starts filling up, the price usually rises. That means a price jump after you return to a search does not automatically point to tracking. It could simply reflect someone else booking a seat or increased demand.
Still, the lawsuit raises a valid concern about transparency. Travelers rarely know what factors are driving the price they see.
What this means to you
JetBlue says it does not tailor prices based on your digital footprint. According to the airline, you are not paying more because you searched twice or used a specific device. Instead, fares shift based on broader factors like seat availability, timing and demand on a route.
That said, prices can still feel unpredictable. Comparing options across platforms remains one of the best ways to avoid overpaying. Acting quickly when you find a fare you like can also make a difference, especially on popular routes.
If you are concerned about tracking, simple steps like using private browsing or switching devices may help limit how much of your activity is visible during repeated searches.
Some travelers also use a VPN to mask their location. While airlines like JetBlue say pricing does not depend on personal data like IP address or browsing history, a VPN can still add a layer of privacy by reducing how much information is shared during the booking process.
For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com
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JetBlue denies using personal data or browsing history to set individual ticket prices. (Greg Lovett/Palm Beach Post)
Kurt’s key takeaways
If you have ever felt like flight prices change in ways that do not quite make sense, you are not alone. This lawsuit taps into a bigger question about how much companies know about us and how that information gets used. Airlines like JetBlue say personal data isn’t part of pricing. Still, the way prices change can feel confusing and unpredictable. For now, the best move is to compare prices, take your time and do not assume the first fare you see is the best one.
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Are you comfortable with surveillance pricing, or does it cross a line for you? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com
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Nintendo recently announced a new pricing policy, which knocks $10 off the cost of digital versions of future first-party titles exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2. Splatoon Raiders, for instance, is available for preorder ahead of its July 23rd release for $49.99 digitally or $59.99 for the physical edition. However, Amazon and Walmart are the exception in how they’re pricing preorders for the cartridge version. Right now, you can reserve the upcoming title at both retailers for $49.94, which is a few cents cheaper than the digital version. Raiders isn’t a sequel to Splatoon 3, but rather a spinoff that has similar third-person, paint-splatting gameplay set in new locales.
The same $10 discount is in effect for Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, a side-scrolling adventure with a gorgeous storybook art style that comes out on May 21st. The price of the physical version is $69.99, but Amazon and Walmart are currently offering it for $59.88, which is similar to the digital edition’s price. Given that prices on many tech and gaming-related products are increasing, it’s nice to see notable discounts on physical Switch 2 games. If you’re looking for other gaming deals, we’ve pulled together the best discounts from Amazon’s weeklong Gaming Week sale.
Update, May 1st: Updated price and availability to reflect the fact that Amazon is now matching Walmart’s preorder promotion on both Switch 2 titles.
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