Nikon L840 vs Ricoh CX6: Deep Dive into Small Sensor Superzoom Cameras

Choosing a camera today can be both thrilling and baffling, especially when looking at seemingly similar models positioned in the budget superzoom category. As someone who’s put thousands of cameras through their paces over 15 years, I know the devil’s in the details - and the proof is in real-world shooting, not just specs on paper.

Today, I’m zeroing in on two small sensor superzoom contenders: the Nikon Coolpix L840 and the Ricoh CX6. Both cameras aim to deliver wide zoom versatility in compact, affordable packages, but they approach it quite differently. Let’s walk through everything - size, handling, image quality, autofocus, and more - to uncover which will best serve your photography ambitions.

Surface-Level Showdown: Size, Build, and Feel

Before digging into the guts of image performance, I like to hold and handle a camera. Ergonomics can fatally influence how much you’ll enjoy using a camera day after day. Here, the Nikon L840 presents as a robust, SLR-style bridge camera, whereas the Ricoh CX6 opts for a more straightforward compact form.

Nikon L840: At 114x89x96 mm and 538 grams (with batteries), the L840 really feels substantial in hand. Its chunky grip is a boon for those who appreciate a firm hold - especially with bigger hands. The design is unambiguous about embracing “bridge” styling, with thumb rests and clubs for fingers that help reduce shake. However, it’s still lighter than your typical DSLR, making it a fair option for travel if size isn’t your top priority.

Ricoh CX6: Significantly smaller and lighter at 104x59x29 mm and 201 grams, the CX6 is genuinely pocket friendly. It’s a neat little camera that won't cramp your style in crowded street photography or casual travel. However, that size reduction means some compromises in grip comfort and button placement that you might notice if you shoot for long stretches.

If portability is a priority, the Ricoh clearly wins. If you want a more secure grip and classic handling, Nikon’s the way to go.

Control Layout and Usability: Finding Your Comfort Zone

Handling isn’t just about size; it also depends on how intuitively you can reach and adjust your settings. This is key when shooting fast-moving subjects or changing conditions.

The Nikon L840 features dedicated buttons for critical functions like ISO, exposure compensation (though limited), zoom control, and a tilting 3-inch screen. Its controls are spaced out sufficiently so you won’t fumble, and the camera offers continuous autofocus with face detection, which helps when shooting portraits and candid moments.

Ricoh CX6 boasts a simpler, cleaner top layout but with fewer physical buttons - some menu diving is inevitable if you want to switch exposure modes or adjust flash settings. While it lacks tilting screens, the fixed 3-inch Sony WhiteMagic LCD pops nicely in bright light thanks to higher resolution (1230 vs. Nikon’s 921 dots) and better technology allowing clearer daylight viewing.

Neither camera has an electronic viewfinder, which is comfortable for casual shooting but might limit framing precision in bright sunlight.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras equip a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor measuring 6.17x4.55 mm covering roughly 28 mm². This class of sensor is common in point-and-shoot devices, packing small photosites that struggle with noise in low light compared to larger APS-C or full-frame sensors. But subtle differences can still influence image output.

• Resolution: Nikon tops out at 16 megapixels (4608x3456 pixels), while Ricoh caps at 10 megapixels (3648x2736 pixels). The extra pixels on Nikon can offer more cropping flexibility, but also slightly smaller pixels that might impact noise levels.
• ISO Range: Nikon extends ISO up to 6400 native, though results beyond ISO 800-1600 suffer from heavy grain. Ricoh’s max ISO is 3200, and its sensor noise performance is roughly comparable but with less resolution.
• Image Processing: Ricoh uses the Smooth Imaging Engine IV processor, which handles noise reduction and colour pretty well for its vintage, but Nikon’s unnamed processor tends to produce slightly punchier colours and better sharpening, resulting in images that look a bit more vibrant straight from the camera.

Neither supports RAW output - meaning you’re limited to JPEG processing in-camera. For enthusiasts who want latitude in post-processing, this is a notable restriction.

Zoom Range and Lens Performance: What’s the Reach?

Here’s a critical differentiator: Nikon’s lens offers an impressive 23-855 mm equivalent (38x zoom) focal length, whereas Ricoh offers a tighter 28-300 mm equivalent (10.7x zoom) range.

The Nikon’s extended telephoto reach is a significant advantage if you love wildlife or sports photography from a distance but don’t want to lug a big lens rack around. This mega zoom lens, however, comes with a trade-off: a slower maximum aperture that shrinks from f/3.0 at wide angle to a rather dark f/6.5 at full telephoto. Low-light shooting at full zoom will be challenging, even considering the sensor stabilization.

Ricoh’s lens is more modest telescopically but shines with an f/3.5-5.6 aperture that’s slightly brighter in the far end, suitable for medium telephoto needs and decent generalist shooting.

Neither lens offers manual focusing on Nikon (only Ricoh lets you focus manually). Also, Nikon’s 1 cm macro focus range is handy for close-up work, shared with Ricoh, though Ricoh’s sensor-shift stabilization makes close focus a bit steadier.

Autofocus System and Speed: Catching the Decisive Moment

Autofocus (AF) performance can make or break your satisfaction with any camera, especially in genres like sports, wildlife, or street photography.

The Nikon L840 boasts continuous, contrast-detection AF with face detection and multi-area focus modes that work reasonably well in good light. I found it more aggressive and consistent than Ricoh’s AF, making it better suited for moving subjects. However, it can hunt in low light or low contrast scenes, which is typical for cameras without phase detection.

The Ricoh CX6 uses contrast detection only, without face detection or continuous tracking AF. It can be accurate in static scenes but feels sluggish and often needs refocusing after every shot. For action or unpredictably moving subjects, this camera is less reliable.

Both cameras lack advanced features like animal eye AF or eye-tracking, which are commonplace in newer models.

Continuous Shooting and Shutter Speed: For Those Action-Packed Moments

Burst mode is important if you want to catch that perfect profile in sports or wildlife photography. The Nikon L840 can shoot roughly 7.4 frames per second in burst mode, which is pretty respectable for a bridge camera. The Ricoh CX6 manages 5 fps continuous shooting, less impressive but still workable for casual snaps.

Maximum shutter speed differs as well: Nikon’s top shutter speed hits 1/4000 sec, allowing some flexibility in bright conditions or fast-moving subjects. Ricoh is capped at 1/2000 sec, which may limit shooting wide open in bright daylight.

Screen and User Interface: What You See Is What You Get

Nikon offers a tilting 3-inch screen at 921k dot resolution, helpful when composing shots from awkward angles - essential in macro or landscape shooting.

Ricoh sticks with a fixed 3-inch Sony WhiteMagic VGA LCD with a higher resolution of 1230k dots, making it brighter and crisper, especially under sunny conditions, though it lacks tilt articulation.

Neither camera has a touchscreen, so navigating menus relies on physical buttons, which generally are straightforward but a little dated compared to modern standards.

Video Capabilities: Not Just Still, But Moving

Neither camera is a video powerhouse, but both do cover basic HD video recording.

• Nikon L840 captures Full HD 1080p up to 60i (interlaced) in MPEG-4/H.264. It offers steady optical stabilization but no microphone or headphone jacks for external audio.
• Ricoh CX6 caps out at 1280x720p HD at 30fps with Motion JPEG format, which is less efficient and heavier on storage. No audio input/output as well.

If you want to dabble in casual video, Nikon has the edge in resolution and stabilization, though professionals or serious filmmakers will want something more robust.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long and Where to Keep It

The Nikon L840 runs on four AA batteries, which, while common in older bridge cameras, means you can easily pop in alkalines or rechargeable AAs without hunting for proprietary cells. Battery life is rated around 590 shots per charge - quite decent for non-DXOMark-tested gear.

Ricoh’s CX6 uses a proprietary lithium-ion battery (DB-100), lacking advertised battery life figures but usually delivers around 300-350 shots per charge under typical usage.

Both cameras use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards but Ricoh supports internal memory as a backup.

Connectivity and Extras: Sharing the Moment

In the age of instant sharing, connectivity matters:

• Nikon L840 includes built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, enabling seamless wireless photo transfer to smartphones or social media apps.
• Ricoh CX6 relies on Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless transfer - more dated and less convenient than built-in Wi-Fi.

Neither camera supports GPS, which isn’t surprising at this price and age.

Real-World Photography: Genre-by-Genre Performance

Let’s sum up how these cameras perform in various photography disciplines, combining specs, hands-on usage, and sample image quality:

Nikon L840 front Nikon L840 screen back Ricoh CX6 front Ricoh CX6 screen back

Looking at sample images captured in similar lighting and zoom levels, Nikon’s images show a bit more pop, finer detail (thanks to higher resolution), and better zoom flexibility, though noise is apparent when pushed. Ricoh's colors tend to be more muted with softer edges, but respectable for snapshots and casual usage.

Final Performance Ratings and Genre-Specific Scores

To give pragmatic clarity, I rated each camera on key performance aspects based on my extensive hands-on testing, real-world shoots, and technical review.

The Nikon L840 scores higher overall due to its zoom reach, autofocus performance, and versatile shooting modes. Ricoh CX6, while more compact and lightweight, falls short on speed and advanced features.

Strengths and Weaknesses: Quick Pros and Cons

Nikon L840

Pros:

• Massive 38x zoom range (23-855 mm equiv.)
• Tilting 3-inch screen improves composition flexibility
• Continuous AF with face detection improves portrait and action shooting
• Good burst rate for fast subjects
• AA batteries for easy replacement on the go
• Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for sharing

Cons:

• Bulkier and heavier; less discreet
• No RAW format limits editing potential
• Limited manual exposure modes (no shutter/aperture priority)
• Lower screen resolution than Ricoh
• Limited weather sealing or rugged features

Ricoh CX6

Pros:

• Very compact and lightweight; excellent for portability
• Higher resolution LCD with WhiteMagic technology
• Offers full manual exposure control (shutter, aperture priority)
• Sensor-shift stabilization helps steady handheld shots
• Macro shooting with 1cm focus

Cons:

• Shorter 10.7x zoom limits telephoto reach
• Slower and less flexible autofocus system
• No face detection or continuous AF tracking
• Maximum video only HD 720p with heavier Motion JPEG compression
• Proprietary battery with moderate life

Who Should Buy Which? Practical Buying Recommendations

Buy the Nikon L840 if…

• You prioritize telephoto reach and want to photograph wildlife, sports, or distant subjects.
• You prefer bridge camera ergonomics with a substantial grip for stable shooting.
• You want better continuous autofocus and faster shooting speeds.
• Wireless connectivity like Wi-Fi and NFC for instant sharing is important.
• You don’t mind a slightly larger, heavier camera and AA batteries.

Consider the Ricoh CX6 if…

• You want a compact, lightweight travel-friendly camera that fits easily in a pocket or purse.
• You prefer manual shooting modes for more creative control.
• You shoot mainly in daylight and value a bright, high-res LCD screen.
• You’re looking for a simple, affordable superzoom with decent general performance.
• Battery recharging via proprietary batteries, and slightly slower AF aren’t deal breakers.

My Final Thoughts: A Tale of Two Superzooms

Having tested these cameras side-by-side in multiple shooting scenarios, my verdict is that the Nikon Coolpix L840 delivers substantially more value for prospective superzoom shooters who want flexibility, performance, and reach. Its extended zoom, better autofocus, and Wi-Fi connectivity put it ahead of the curve for diverse shooting genres despite modest concessions in size and some interface quibbles.

The Ricoh CX6 does serve a distinct niche as a stealthy, compact superzoom with more manual controls but sacrifices speed and zoom range that serious enthusiasts or professionals will find limiting. It suits cheapskates or casual shooters wanting decent images from a pocketable camera.

Neither camera is cutting-edge by today's mirrorless standards, but as budget superzooms, each has its place.

If you want my advice for a small sensor superzoom in 2024, Nikon’s L840 ticks more boxes for most users, especially for photographic growth and variety, while Ricoh CX6 fits best if size, simplicity, and manual shooting matter most.

Happy shooting - and may your next camera bring many cherished memories!