Ricoh has been quietly building a range of neat, sophisticated digital cameras, and the R1v represents the latest addition to the top end of the company’s range. It updates its predecessor, the R1, with an extra megapixel of resolution (bringing it to 5 megapixels), but is otherwise pretty much unchanged.

The R1v offers a comprehensive specification in a small, tough, metal body with a 28-135mm (35mm equivalent) 4.8x zoom lens, a focal range able to get you close-in or stand back for wide vista shots at the 28mm end of the zoom.

Handling is very nice with controls spaced neatly on the back plate, a large, ingot-like on/off switch slides across the face of the camera revealing or closing the lens cover as it does so - all very neat and tidy.

Comprehensive menus get you into the meat of the camera settings, but, being picky, there’s a few too many of these at the expense of external buttons which would have been nice for more regularly used controls such as white balance control and sensitivity (which, impressively, runs from ISO64 to ISO 800).

Exposure compensation, auto bracketing, a simply superb macro mode that can get to within 1cm of the subject, a 1.8in colour screen and SD/MMC storage provides plenty of scope for creativity and getting the shot just right.

There is only one problem, and it is a serious one. On close inspection of my shots, which at first glance look wonderfully crisp and colourful, distinct stripes running across the bottom of each frame mar all my shots. Either there’s a problem with the CCD or the built-in image processing produces this odd effect. Alternatively, it could just be my review sample but either way, these image problems have dropped the R1v a lot of points in this test.

On the face of it, the R1v provides plenty of resolution, enough for prints up to and over A3 and at a very competitive price indeed. There’s control enough to satisfy the enthusiast snapper and point-and-shoot brigade alike and all put together in one attractive package with a great lens.

In fact, I was raving about this camera until I got to inspect the images closely, then I was just raving mad. The camera is heavily let down by stripes running across each frame, which is a real shame for a camera that would otherwise be a stunning bit of kit. If it wasn't for the image quality this would have been an 8/10.

Pros: Wonderful macro mode, great design and handling in an all-metal package at a great price.

Cons: Image noise affects the images and odd stripes run across and affect every shot.

Verdict: Updating its predecessor, the R1v offers an extra million pixels. A wide zoom provides 28-135mm focal range and high resolution, all in stylish all metal body with bags of photography control

Website: http://www.ricoh.co.uk

RRP: £200

This review first appeared on www.pocket-lint.co.uk.

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