Last week I was writing about batteries in connection with our long-term review car, the Nissan Leaf. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the 85-mile range of that car could be stretched to even 200 miles? Overnight the Leaf and its electric companions would become viable for most people. Rechargeable batteries, though, are an integral part of our daily existence.

The Leica Q is the company’s most significant introduction since the M240. Not only does this camera meet competitors such as Sony and Fuji on equal terms, it betters them in several respects while offering Leica’s unique selling proposition, simplicity. At last, in the Q, we have a full-frame compact with a superb lens that gives up little, except the versatility of a system mount and the rangefinder system, to the more expensive M. It is the perfect second camera for any M owner. And at its price it will attract new recruits to Leica ownership. 

For the past twelve months I've been testing a Nissan Leaf, the all-electric motoring solution. Surprisingly, not only is it supremely quiet and economical, charged from my home port, it is fast, comfortable and very refined. In fact, it feels like a small limousine, considerably more refined even than an equivalent Audi A3 or VW Golf. I would buy an electric car in a heartbeat if it weren't for one snag: Range.

Ricoh has announced the Mark II version of its popular and understated GR. It is a solid update which adds improved processing, a tweaked 28mm f/2.8 lens, faster autofocus and new wifi options. It is also rather underwhelming since the latest version looks exactly like the first generation.