March 29, 2011: Ricoh has released function-enhancing firmware updates for its GXR range of compact digital cameras.
The GXR update provides the following enhancements:
1) Addition of a new ‘Scene Mode’ provides five new processing adjustments covering Soft Focus, Cross Process, Toy Camera, Miniaturise and High Contrast Monochrome.
(2) Addition of a ‘Target Follow Function’ that locks the exposure or focus on a specific part of the photographic subject. When the camera follows the subject, this function automatically keeps the subject in focus.
(3) A ‘Reset/Cancel’ function is added to return the image monitor returns to the central position during AE/AF target move.
(4) ‘Magnified playback function’ magnifies the centre of the target moved position, centering on the AE/AF target .
(5) Exposure correction and white balance can be assigned to the zoom button when GR LENS A12 28mm/GR LENS A12 50mm camera unit is used.
The GR DIGITAL III update includes:
(1) Addition of a Target Follow AF function that provides subject tracking AF.
(2) 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 a setting change function to ADJ. lever for scene mode, enabling 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, which allows, the capture area used as the standard for white balance to be selected from ‘Entire frame’ or ‘Spot’.
(5) Electronic level display for self-timer enables the electronic level to be displayed after the self-timer is started.

The new updates can be downloaded from http://www.ricoh.com/r_dc/download/firmware/gxr/ and http://www.ricohcameras.com.au/blogs/GRDIII-third-firmware-upgrade.html