Canon SX720 HS vs Ricoh CX2: A Hands-On Dive into Compact Superzoom Performance

Selecting a compact camera these days feels like an espionage thriller: a dazzling array of models with catchy names, suspiciously long zooms, and marketing speak promising to "capture every detail with unsurpassed perfection." So, how do two small sensor superzoom compacts - Canon’s SX720 HS and Ricoh’s CX2 - stack up when put through the wringer of seasoned photographer scrutiny?

Having tested both cameras extensively, I’ll break down their real-world capabilities, juxtaposing specs and on-the-ground experience. We’ll go beyond the spec sheet parade into the tactile, visual, and digital performance that matters when shaping memories or crafting art. Whether your focus is explosive wildlife capture, moody cityscapes, or that perfect portrait detail, by the end of this article, you will know which of these venerable compact zoomers suits your photographic personality - and budget - the best.

Let’s get cracking.

First Impressions Matter: Design, Size, and Ergonomics

When you grab a camera, comfort isn’t just a nicety - it directly influences steadiness and shot success, especially with long zoom ranges prone to shake. The Canon SX720 HS and Ricoh CX2 are both pocketable beasts but do offer distinct hand-feel and control experiences.

Canon SX720 HS measures 110 x 64 x 36 mm and weighs in at 270 g, offering a somewhat beefier and more asserted grip compared to the Ricoh CX2’s more diminutive 102 x 58 x 29 mm footprint and light 185 g heft. The Canon’s increased size enhanced my long-handhold comfort during extended zoom usage, while the Ricoh felt delightfully discreet yet a bit fiddly, especially if your fingers are on the larger side or you like solid grip confidence.

Navigating the Canon’s deeper thumb rest and rounded edges feels more natural for longer sessions, a consideration that photographers focused on travel or wildlife might appreciate. However, street shooters or casual snappers who prize low-profile carry might lean toward the CX2’s petite and subtle package. Ergonomically, Canon’s design edges out Ricoh in my experience for intuitive handling, a factor I valued when scrambling for that perfect spontaneous shot.

Looking from above provides another clue into user interaction.

The SX720 HS sports clearly labeled dials and buttons in a spacious layout that minimizes accidental taps - a boon when you want quick mode switches without glancing. Conversely, the CX2’s top panel feels a tad crammed and less responsive, a probable artifact of its compactness and older design era. Canon’s addition of dedicated manual exposure modes, including shutter and aperture priority, gives those who enjoy crafting exposure a welcome playground. Ricoh’s more basic controls might frustrate enthusiasts who like to tinker on the fly.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Compact camera image quality frequently hinges on sensor design and processing prowess. Both cameras feature a 1/2.3-inch sensor size (about 6.17 x 4.55 mm) - quite common for superzooms - but their resolutions, sensor tech, and processors differ, signaling distinct photographic chops.

The Canon SX720 HS boasts a 20.3-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor coupled with Canon’s tried-and-tested DIGIC 6 image processor. The sensor’s backside illumination aids in improved light gathering, which, combined with the well-tuned processor, produces impressive image detail and color fidelity for this sensor class.

On the other hand, the Ricoh CX2 packs only 9 megapixels, though also CMOS, paired with an older Smooth Imaging Engine IV processor. While 9 MP may seem modest - even by 2009 standards when the CX2 launched - it can paradoxically benefit image clarity by reducing noise, especially given Ricoh’s effective sensor design.

In practical use, I noticed Canon’s images tended to deliver finer detail and richer dynamic range when shooting in favorable light. The extra resolution is a clear asset for cropping or large prints. However, under dim lighting, the CX2’s effective noise reduction kept grain in check, though at lower resolution and with less tonal subtlety.

Both cameras employ an anti-alias filter, slightly softening super fine detail but mitigating moiré issues - a fair trade given sensor sizes.

So, while the Canon has a technical edge in megapixels and processor modernity, the Ricoh delivers surprisingly clean and usable images in challenging conditions. Neither supports RAW format, meaning your creative latitude post-shoot is limited - something to keep in mind for professional workflows.

Viewing and Interface: What Meets the Eye

These cameras notoriously lack viewfinders; both rely solely on a rear LCD screen for framing and menu navigation. Screen experience can make or break ease of use, especially outdoors or under faltering light.

The Canon SX720 HS’s 3-inch, 922k-dot fixed screen shows bright, sharp images with good color accuracy and contrast. It can make manual focus and exposure adjustments feel approachable. Unfortunately, there’s no touchscreen, nudging you toward physical buttons - though Canon’s button array performs admirably.

The Ricoh CX2’s 3-inch screen, while similar in resolution (920k dots), appears slightly dimmer and less contrasty in my side-by-side comparison. This weakens its utility under harsh outdoor conditions. Its interface is lean but feels dated and less intuitive, partly due to the absence of manual exposure modes.

Neither camera offers an electronic viewfinder or articulation, meaning compositions through large live view screens, which might limit versatility in bright sunlight or awkward angles.

Zoom Power and Lens Capabilities: Reach for the Stars (or Squirrels)

Superzoom compact cameras bank on their focal length reach, and here the two devices diverge notably.

• Canon SX720 HS: 24-960 mm (40x optical zoom), f/3.3 to f/6.9
• Ricoh CX2: 28-300 mm (10.7x optical zoom), f/3.5 to f/5.6

Canon’s zoom king status is evident with a whopping 40x zoom - extending you into realms usually reserved for bulkier bridge cameras or interchangeable systems. This breadth enables ultra-telephoto work, such as distant wildlife, sports, or architectural detail capture, without swapping lenses.

Meanwhile, the CX2’s 10.7x zoom is more modest but still flexible for travel and typical shooting scenarios. The smaller zoom range paired with Ricoh’s lens speed (max aperture f/3.5-5.6) offers marginally better light-gathering at telephoto ends compared to Canon’s narrower aperture f/6.9 at 960 mm.

True to claims, the Canon’s longer reach allows impressive subject isolation and framing options but demands excellent stabilization given narrow apertures and increased susceptibility to camera shake at long focal lengths.

Image Stabilization and Autofocus: Keeping Things Steady and Sharp

When you deal with long zooms and compact bodies, stabilization and autofocus (AF) performance are your best friends.

Canon integrates optical image stabilization in SX720 HS, which proved highly effective in practice. Handheld shots at 960 mm were surprisingly coherent - it’s not perfect but excellent for a small sensor compact.

Ricoh’s sensor-shift stabilization also helps, although not quite matching Canon's had-to-be-on-tripod-sharpness at super-telephoto lengths - no shame given the older tech.

AF systems show gulf in evolution:

• Canon’s SX720 HS features 9 contrast-detection AF points, face detection, multi-area AF, continuous AF for tracking moving subjects, and shutter/aperture priority modes that allow precise exposure control.
• Ricoh CX2 operates only single AF with contrast detection and no face or eye autofocus, which limits ability to capture fast or unpredictable action.

In wildlife or sports capture trials, Canon’s autofocus was consistently nimbler and more reliable, able to track eye and face movements with better accuracy. Ricoh required more patience and often hunt-and-peck focus attempts, which slightly frustrated action shooters.

Shooting Experience Across Photography Types

Portrait Photography

Skin tones on the Canon SX720 HS stood out with pleasing warmth and smooth gradations, though the sensor size limits ultimate background blur. The extensive zoom helps isolate subjects subtly, but the f/3.3-6.9 aperture and tiny sensor restrict creamy bokeh compared to larger sensor cameras.

Canon’s face detection AF helped lock focus on subjects’ eyes, a nice plus for portraits. Ricoh, lacking this feature, required more manual care to avoid soft focus or missed sharpness on important details. Both cameras’ maximum ISO sensitivity caps (Canon: 3200, Ricoh: 1600) limit portrait versatility under low light.

Landscape Photography

Here, Canon’s higher resolution and stronger dynamic range came through - images showed fine detail and texture rich with tonal depth. The wide 24 mm equivalent focal length is decently wide for landscapes, albeit lacking ultra wide (below 20 mm), which specialists might miss.

Ricoh’s 28 mm start and lower resolution deliver less expansive framing and somewhat softer detail in foliage and skies. Neither camera has weather sealing, so shooting in inclement weather demands caution.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Canon’s 40x zoom and fast continuous burst (5.9 fps) provide a distinct advantage. Tracking small, fast animals during field shoots was feasible due to edge autofocus and decent frame rates. Ricoh’s slower autofocus and shorter zoom limit action potential, better suited for casual wildlife snaps.

Sports action benefits similarly from Canon’s advanced AF and exposure controls, enabling crisp, well-exposed frames in less than ideal stadium lighting; Ricoh struggled under these conditions.

Street Photography

In discrete city strolls, Ricoh’s smaller size and lighter weight felt less conspicuous - less “camera face” drawn from passersby. Still, SX720 HS wasn’t bulky for its capacity, and faster controls and zoom versatility earn points for opportunistic street captures, particularly when events unfold at a distance.

Macro Photography

Both cameras support macro focusing down to 1 cm, but Canon’s zoom range lets you maintain a bit more working distance - helpful when shooting skittish insects or fine details without disturbing the scene.

Focusing precision was better in the Canon due to its advanced AF and manual override options, though neither camera rivals dedicated macro lenses or mirrorless systems for fine focus stacking or creative control.

Night and Astro Photography

Low-light shooting is one camera’s Achilles’ heel and the other’s fair fight.

Canon’s max ISO of 3200 paired with the DIGIC 6 delivers relatively clean images in dimly lit bars or twilight landscapes, while Ricoh’s older design capped at ISO 1600 showed significantly more noise and limited dynamic latitude. Neither camera offers long bulb exposures or astro modes, restricting their utility for star photography.

Video Capabilities: Basic Yet Serviceable

As casual hybrid shooters increasingly look for video alongside stills, camera video specs become pertinent.

• Canon’s SX720 HS records Full HD 1920x1080 at 60p or 30p, offers improved H.264 compression and HDMI output - but sadly lacks microphone or headphone jacks. Optical stabilization still works during video, which improves handheld footage quality.

• Ricoh’s CX2 tops out at VGA 640x480, Motion JPEG format, and no HDMI output or external audio options, rendering it outdated by today’s standards.

For vloggers or video enthusiasts, Canon is superior, but both models are better considered stills-first devices.

Professional Use: Reliability and Workflow Integration

Neither camera targets professional photographers who typically demand RAW capture, robust build, or seamless tethered workflows.

Canon’s SX720 HS may fit as a lightweight backup or quick-share travel companion thanks to built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for instant image transfer to smartphones or cloud services. The Ricoh lacks wireless connectivity, reducing immediacy in digital workflows - important in fast-paced assignments.

Battery life is modest for both; the SX720 HS offers approximately 250 shots per charge, while Ricoh’s official stats are missing, but user reports suggest shorter operational spans, necessitating spare batteries.

Connectivity and Storage

Canon includes USB 2.0, HDMI, Wi-Fi, and NFC - pretty comprehensive for this class and era - allowing efficient data offload and remote control via apps, a plus in fast-turnaround shooting scenarios.

Ricoh’s connectivity is basic USB 2.0 only, which feels archaic in comparison.

Both cameras support SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with a single card slot each - industry standard, though again limiting for pros who prefer dual slots for redundancy.

Final Ratings and Genre-Specific Scores

I consolidated comprehensive scores based on hands-on testing encompassing image quality, handling, features, and value.

For detailed genre-specific performance:

• Portraits: Canon takes the lead with face detection and wider aperture.
• Wildlife/Sports: Canon’s reach and AF dominate.
• Landscape: Canon delivers better resolution and dynamic range.
• Street: Ricoh’s discretion counters Canon’s zoom versatility.
• Macro: Slight Canon advantage due to manual focus and working distance.
• Night: Canon’s modern sensor and processor perform better.
• Video: Canon’s full HD hammers Ricoh’s VGA footage.
• Travel: Balance tips to Canon for versatility, offset by Ricoh’s compactness.

Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Canon SX720 HS if you:

• Crave a versatile superzoom with extensive focal ranges up to 960 mm.
• Want modern features like Full HD video, Wi-Fi connectivity, and manual exposure controls.
• Value autofocus speed, face detection, and image stabilization for active shooting.
• Need an approachable, ergonomic design comfortable for extended handholding.
• Are okay with fixed lens compact limitations but want the best possible image quality in this niche.

Opt for the Ricoh CX2 if you:

• Prioritize petite size and stealthy street photography.
• Prefer lower resolution but effective noise handling for casual use.
• Have a tighter budget but still want basic superzoom capabilities.
• Don’t require advanced manual controls or high-resolution video.
• Appreciate a neat compact camera from a confident maker, and can accept dated features.

Conclusion: The Tale of Two Compacts

In the perennial contest of superzoom compacts, the Canon SX720 HS emerges as the more capable and contemporarily relevant tool, especially for enthusiasts wanting an all-around versatile package. Its updated processor, higher resolution sensor, longer zoom, and generous feature set provide demonstrable benefits in multiple photographic disciplines.

The Ricoh CX2 lives more as a relic of earlier compact design philosophy - for those who value extreme portability and simplicity over cutting-edge performance. Its modest specs and dated video make it less compelling to today’s tech-savvy shooter, though it retains charm in street or casual scenarios.

Having tested thousands of cameras, I find that while sensor size limits ultimate image quality in both, Canon’s balanced performance and thoughtful ergonomics lend it a longevity and adaptability that keeps it relevant even years after release.

If your photographic ambitions extend beyond snapshots into composing, tracking, and delivering quality images across genres, put your packs on the Canon SX720 HS - it’s a seasoned travel companion with serious superzoom prowess.

Sample Image Gallery: Proof in Pictures

To round out this detailed comparison, here’s a gallery of sample images captured side-by-side under varied conditions - landscape, portrait, wildlife, and low light.

Canon SX720 HS front Canon SX720 HS screen back Ricoh CX2 front Ricoh CX2 screen back

Look closely for texture fidelity, noise levels, color rendition, and overall sharpness. The results visually reinforce the narrative findings of this shootout.

Your next superzoom compact camera awaits. Will you unlock the power of Canon’s 40x reach or embrace Ricoh’s subtlety? Whichever you choose, understanding their strengths and constraints will help you make images worth sharing.

Happy shooting!