Ricoh is set to enable its GXR and GR Digital II cameras with new AF and AE tracking systems, along with new scene modes, in a firmware update due to go live on 28th March Ricoh Japan has told AP. Called 'Target Follow Function' the new mode ensures that subjects tracked by the camera as they move across the frame remain in focus and properly exposed so there is no delay at the moment of shooting. This feature will be added to both GXR and the GR Digital camera bodies. In the GXR the tracked area will be remembered when the image is played back on the LCD screen and when the user chooses to magnify the image it will that area that the camera will enlarge.

The GXR will also get a series of 5 new scene modes, that will include 'soft focus', 'cross process', 'toy camera', miniaturize' and 'high contrast monochrome'. When photographing with the fixed focal length A12 28mm and 50mm lenses GXR users will be able to adjust exposure compensation or white balance using the zoom rocker switch. The choice of which function will be active will be made via the custom settings menu.

Further changes to the GR Digital include the assignment of the 'Adj' lever to access menu functions when a scene mode is selected, and options for custom white balance that will read from the whole scene or from a selected spot area. The electric level displayed in the viewfinder will now also remain active during a self-timer countdown.