A 10-million pixel imaging sensor and a redesign are among the improvements on board the Ricoh R8 which replaces the firm?s R7 model.

Out in March priced £249.99 the R8 will be available in silver, black and ?two tone? versions.

Improvements include a larger 2.7in LCD monitor which boasts a resolution of ?460,000 pixels?.

Like the R7 the 7.1x optical zoom is designed to deliver the 35mm viewing angle equivalent of a 28-200mm lens. It also features a 1:1 ?square format? aspect ratio, as featured in on Ricoh’s Caplio GX100 and GR Digital II compacts.

The shutter button, lens barrel and mode dial have been finished to provide a ?solid, high quality feel?, claims Ricoh.

Image editing functions include white balance compensation and the ability to correct image brightness and contrast using either auto or manual modes.

The photographer can trim images and save them as a separate file.

Features also include a CCD-shift vibration correction feature and face recognition technology which is designed to optimise exposure, focusing and white balance when a face is identified in the frame.

Close focusing is possible down to 1cm in macro mode, claims Ricoh.

ISO sensitivity ranges from ISO64-1600 and images are recorded in JPEG format.

Powered by a rechargeable battery the R8 is compatible with SD, SDHC and MultiMedia memory cards. It weighs 168g, excluding battery and memory card.

Ricoh R8