TOKYO, March 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ricoh Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Shiro Kondo) will release both the third function-enhancing firmware update for its GXR range of compact digital cameras which were initially released in December 2009, and the fourth function-enhancing firmware update for its GR DIGITAL III range of cameras which were originally released in August 2009, on March 28th, 2011.

Ricoh's function-enhancing firmware updates are developed in response to opinions and requests received from a large number of customers via surveys submitted at registration time and through other channels. These updates enable customers who already own GXR and GR DIGITAL III to update their firmware to include the latest functions, thus making it possible for them to enhance the performance and usability of their cameras by adding new function and setting possibilities.

With the GXR system, the lens, image sensor, and image processing engine are all mounted within the camera unit instead of the body, creating a groundbreaking interchangeable unit system the utilizes a slide mechanism for attachment and removal.

The GR DIGITAL III is the successor to the GR DIGITAL II, which was originally released in November 2007, and features an open F1.9 large aperture lens, and achieves superb picture quality in a compact body.

The function-enhancing firmware and instructions for using these functions can be downloaded free of charge from the Ricoh website.

1. GXR Third Function-enhancing Firmware

   • Enhanced Functions for All Camera Units

     1. Addition of the "Scene Mode" for photographic expression with a difference
        The addition of the new "Scene Mode" provides 5 types of mode to expand your photographic expression. Choose from "Soft Focus", "Cross Process", "Toy Camera", "Miniaturize", and "High Contrast Monochrome". Simply press the shutter release to take a truly unique shot.

     2. Addition of "Target Follow Function" to AE/AF target movement function
        The "Target follow function" is added to the target movement function that locks the exposure or focus on a specific part of the photographic subject. When the camera follows the subject, this function automatically continues to adjust to the target position, so that the subject is in focus at precisely the moment you want to shoot.

     3. "Reset/Cancel" function added for AE/AF target move
        By pressing the cancel button during AE/AF target move, the image monitor returns to the central position. When the cancel button is pressed again, the target move mode is cancelled.

     4. "Magnified playback function" added that magnifies the center of the target moved position
        When magnifying the playback screen, the center of the position moved to as the AE/AF target can be the center of the magnification

   • Enhanced function only for the GR LENS A12 28mm/GR LENS A12 50mm camera unit

     5. Exposure correction and white balance can be assigned to the zoom button.
        In the key custom settings, exposure correction or white balance functions can be assigned to the zoom button.

2. GR DIGITAL III Fourth Function-enhancing Firmware
   Enhanced Functions

   1. Addition of Target Follow AF Function
      By half-pressing the shutter button and following the set subject, this function continues to adjust to the subject position so that the subject is in focus at precisely the moment you want to shoot.

   2. Addition of "AF/Target Follow AF" switching function to the Fn. button
      "AF/Target Follow AF" is added as one of the functions that can be registered to the Fn (function) 1 or Fn2 button. If the focus method is set to "multi AF", "spot AF", or "Target follow AF", the focus method can be switched between "multi AF" and "Target follow AF", or between "Spot AF" and "Target follow AF".

   3. Addition of setting change function to ADJ. lever for scene mode
      When shooting in a scene mode such as "dynamic range double shot", "cross process", or "high contrast monochrome", the new function enables the ADJ. lever to be used to change settings such as ISO sensitivity and image quality.

   4. Addition of a selection function to the white balance manual setting capture area
      When setting the white balance manually, the capture area used as the standard for white balance can be selected from "Entire frame" or "Spot".

   5. Electronic level display for self-timer
      When using the self-timer, the electronic level continues to be displayed after the self-timer is started.