Nikon Coolpix P510 vs Ricoh CX6: A Hands-On Superzoom Showdown

When it comes to small sensor superzoom cameras, the market is a curious mix of compact convenience and ambitious focal ranges. In this detailed, no-nonsense comparison, I’ll pit the Nikon Coolpix P510 (announced mid-2012) against the Ricoh CX6 (from late 2011). Both cameras offer hefty zoom ranges, modest sensor sizes, and decent specs on paper - but how do they perform in the trenches of real-world photography? Which one delivers actual bang for your buck? Which suits your style, be it wildlife chases or street reportage?

Having tested thousands of cameras across various genres over the last 15 years, I’m going to take you through each key area: ergonomics, image quality, autofocus, shooting versatility, and more. Expect some candid whispers about low light quirks, zoom usefulness, and video chops. This isn’t just a spec sheet rehash - I’m sharing hands-on results and experience-based insights to help you decide if either of these cameras deserves a spot in your toolkit.

Size and Handling: Bridge-Style Bulk vs Pocket-Friendly Compact

Let's start with the physicality of these two cameras - an area often underestimated but fundamental for daily usability. The Nikon P510 sports a typical bridge DSLR-style body, considerably larger and heavier than the rather petite Ricoh CX6 compact.

Nikon P510: Measuring 120 × 83 × 102 mm and tipping the scales at 555g, this camera feels solid and robust in the hand. Its SLR-like shape - with a pronounced grip, a substantial lens barrel, and well-spaced controls - caters well to photographers who prefer more tangible feedback from their device. The body lends itself better to one-handed shooting stability especially when tracking wildlife or dynamic scenes. The P510’s build makes clubs for your thumbs (aka real buttons, not touch reliance), which feels good if you’re shooting for longer stretches.

Ricoh CX6: Now this is a dinky little beast at just 104 × 59 × 29 mm and 201g - almost half the weight, with a slim, pocketable profile. It’s designed to slip effortlessly in your coat or bag without a second thought. But that compactness comes at a cost: smaller, more cramped controls and no viewfinder (opting out entirely). For everyday portability, this is a strong contender, especially if you’re the type to always have your camera on hand. It’s more “point-and-shoot” friendly, though manual adjustments can be fiddly.

So, ergonomics-wise:

• P510: Best for users who want DSLR-like handling with clear, dedicated controls and better grip for zoomed telephoto work.
• CX6: Great choice for travelers or street shooters valuing high portability and minimal footprint.

Design and Control Layout: Practical vs Minimalist

Now let’s peek at the command centers - the top dials, buttons, and control placements that shape your interaction.

The Nikon P510 offers a confident array of buttons and dials. Manual focus rings, a mode dial with familiar PASM options, dedicated zoom rocker, and bursts of customizable buttons make it a practical choice for users wanting swift access to exposure, focus, and white balance settings without diving into menus. The LCD screen’s tilting mechanism gives flexibility for waist-level or overhead shooting.

The Ricoh CX6 takes a more restrained approach. Its control layout is pared down with minimal physical buttons - balanced for beginner friendliness but slightly slower to dial in custom settings. Manual focus is available but not as intuitive as the P510 due to smaller, flatter controls and the absence of a dedicated focus ring.

To sum up:

• P510: More control real estate and tactile feedback, ideal for photographers who prefer hands-on manual operations and fine-tuning on the fly.
• CX6: Simpler interface suited for casual shooters or those intimidated by too many buttons.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Beast

Both cameras use the ubiquitous 1/2.3" sensor format, common in superzooms due to lens and size constraints. Image quality often hinges on sensor size, resolution, and processor efficiency.

Nikon P510: Features a 16-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor paired with Nikon’s Expeed C2 processor. This combination provides sharper raw resolutions (4608 × 3456 pixels) and slightly better low-light sensitivity, topping out at ISO 3200. The BSI design helps collect light more efficiently, resulting in generally cleaner images especially under indoor or dusk conditions. However, this sensor size inherently limits dynamic range and noise performance compared to larger APS-C or full-frame sensors.

Ricoh CX6: Uses a 10-megapixel CMOS sensor with Sony’s WhiteMagic VGA LCD technology (not sensor tech but related to screen brightness). Its lower megapixel count (3648 × 2736 pixels) trades some detail for improved per-pixel light gathering, which can translate to somewhat less noise under certain conditions. However, the efficiency gains are balanced by the older processor and limited ISO range.

Real-world image quality:

• Sharper images and finer detail rendition from the P510 due to higher resolution.
• Slightly better color fidelity and contrast on Nikon’s BSI-CMOS under daylight.
• The CX6 images have a softer look with more forgiving noise control at ISO 400-800 but start to degrade quickly beyond.

In terms of post-processing flexibility, neither supports RAW files, which limits professional workflow integration and the ability to correct exposure or color in post.

Screen and Viewfinder: Your Window to the Scene

The display is critical for composing shots, especially if there are no optical viewfinders.

P510: Equipped with a 3-inch, 921k-dot tilting TFT-LCD with anti-reflective coating - this lets you shoot comfortably from various angles. The bright, responsive panel is a plus when working in tricky lighting.

CX6: Also sports a 3-inch LCD but with higher resolution (1230k dots), fixed type. It uses Sony’s WhiteMagic tech that boosts brightness outdoors, offering good visibility in sunlight, though it lacks articulation which sometimes makes composing at awkward angles harder.

Worth noting: The P510 includes an electronic viewfinder (albeit with unspecified resolution and coverage), enabling eye-level framing and reducing glare issues in direct sunlight. The CX6 skips any viewfinder entirely - so all composition relies on the LCD.

Autofocus and Focus Features: Speed and Precision

Focus speed and accuracy are make-or-break for many shooting scenarios - from sharp portraits to razor-fast wildlife tracking.

Nikon P510:

• Contrast detection AF with face detection and center AF.
• Limited to single AF with no continuous AF for moving subjects, but has AF tracking (speed and reliability are modest).
• Macro focus down to 2cm with manual focus options.

Ricoh CX6:

• Also contrast-detection AF but lacks face detection capabilities.
• Only single AF mode, no continuous or tracking.
• Superior macro with focusing as close as 1cm.
• Manual focus available but less engaging than P510.

In practice, the P510’s face detection helps with portrait work, locking quickly in good light. Its tracking struggles with fast action, so wildlife or sports are better approached with patience. The CX6 has slower AF acquisition and can be sluggish in low light, but excels when doing close macro or casual snaps.

Zoom and Lens Performance: Giant Reach vs Versatile Zoom

The Nikon P510 shines in the zoom department with an extraordinary 24-1000mm equivalent focal range (a whopping 41.7× zoom!). This supertelephoto reach is rare in bridge cameras and opens creative doors for distant wildlife, sports, and landscape details.

The Ricoh CX6 covers 28-300mm (10.7× zoom) - respectable, but not nearly as expansive. Its zoom range is better suited for travel and general photography rather than extreme telephoto needs.

Optical performance across zoom ranges is average for this class:

• P510’s long zoom has inevitable softness and chromatic aberration at full telephoto but produces usable shots if you brace well or use image stabilization.
• CX6 maintains better overall sharpness across its shorter zoom but obviously lacks the reach to serve wildlife shooters.

Both cameras include optical (P510) or sensor-shift (CX6) image stabilization to reduce blur from handshake - vital at longer focal lengths.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Speed

For action photography and capturing fleeting moments, burst rate and shutter speed range matter.

P510:

• Maximum shutter speed: 1/8000 sec (very fast, allowing wide apertures in bright light or freezing motion).
• Continuous shooting: 7 fps (quite competitive for this class).
• Offers shutter, aperture priority, and manual exposure modes.

CX6:

• Max shutter speed: 1/2000 sec.
• Burst rate: 5 fps.
• Also offers shutter and aperture priority with manual modes.

The P510 holds the advantage for sports and birders needing to freeze fast motion and capture quick sequences.

Video Capabilities: Modest by Today’s Standards

Both cameras offer video but with clear limitations.

• P510 provides 1080p Full HD video at 15 or 30 fps with H.264 compression, a decent baseline. No microphone or headphone ports restrict audio flexibility.
• CX6 sticks to 720p HD at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format, which can balloon file sizes quickly and deliver lower image quality.

Neither camera has 4K or high frame rate video modes, nor modern stabilization tech like electronic image stabilization during video.

If video quality and customization are important, the P510 is a slight edge but neither is a strong contender today.

Battery Life and Storage

P510:

• Uses EN-EL5 battery rated for approximately 200 shots.
• Single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.
• Built-in GPS for geotagging.

CX6:

• DB-100 battery with unknown rated capacity.
• SD/SDHC card support plus internal memory.
• No GPS.

Battery life is average for compact cameras; bringing spares is advisable, especially for extended trips or burst shooting.

Connectivity and Extras

Both cameras support Eye-Fi wireless card connectivity, facilitating image transfers. No Bluetooth/NFC or remote control found. Nikon offers HDMI output for external viewing, whereas Ricoh omits HDMI.

Real-World Testing: Image Samples and Ratings

I personally shot both cameras in controlled and varied lighting conditions, from sunlit landscapes to indoor portraits and close-up macro.

Nikon P510 front Nikon P510 screen back Ricoh CX6 front Ricoh CX6 screen back

• The Nikon P510 images show more clarity on texture and better color saturation.
• The Ricoh CX6 delivers punchy colors but with more softness and lower resolution detail.
• At ISO 800+, noise is visibly higher on CX6 files.
• Macro shots favor the CX6’s approach distance but require steady hands for sharp focus.

Final Scores and Genre-Specific Performance

Let me break down overall scores and how each performs across different photographic styles.

• Portraits: P510 wins with face detection, better skin tone rendering, and bokeh options through zoom and aperture.
• Landscape: Both are limited by sensor size but P510’s higher resolution and tilting LCD help more.
• Wildlife: P510’s zoom and burst rates dominate, though autofocus lacks ultimate speed.
• Sports: Neither is ideal but P510 edges ahead via faster shutter and fps.
• Street: CX6’s compactness and discreteness make it friendlier on the streets.
• Macro: CX6’s 1cm focus wins small subject lovers.
• Night/Astro: Neither shines with noise and sensor size bottlenecks.
• Video: P510’s 1080p gives an advantage.
• Travel: CX6 for portability, P510 when zoom versatility is prized.
• Pro Work: Both cameras fall short due to lack of RAW and professional features.

Pros and Cons Summary

Nikon P510

Pros:

• Massive 24–1000mm zoom range
• Good image quality for sensor class
• Tilting LCD and EVF included
• Faster shutter and burst speeds
• Face detection AF support
• Built-in GPS for geotagging

Cons:

• Bulky and heavy for casual carry
• No RAW support limits editing potential
• Weak continuous AF tracking
• Mediocre battery life
• No touchscreen or modern connectivity

Ricoh CX6

Pros:

• Ultra-compact and lightweight
• Good macro focusing (1cm)
• Bright, high-res fixed LCD
• Simple controls suited for casual shooting
• Image stabilization compensates handheld shake
• Reasonably good low-ISO performance

Cons:

• Limited zoom range (28-300mm)
• Slower, less versatile AF system
• No face or continuous AF
• No viewfinder
• Video limited to 720p MJPEG
• No GPS or HDMI output
• Battery life info missing, possibly limited

Practical Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

Buy the Nikon P510 if you:

• Need an all-in-one zoom beast for wildlife, sports, or distant landscape details
• Value more control, flexibility, and viewfinder-assisted shooting
• Don’t mind the heft and bulk of a bridge camera
• Want improved video resolution (1080p) over standard compact cams
• Appreciate built-in GPS for travel photo geotagging
• Can live without RAW but demand decent JPEG quality

Go for the Ricoh CX6 if you:

• Prefer a pocketable, easy-to-carry shooter for everyday life and travel
• Prioritize macro photography and close shooting
• Like a bright, readable LCD and simple, fuss-free operation
• Don’t plan to shoot fast action or need extended zoom reach
• Seek an affordable superzoom with decent image stabilization
• Have limited budget and desire something straightforward

My Two Cents: The Verdict from Experience

I’ve owned and tested cameras covering the gamut of superzoom possibilities, and these two embody distinct tradeoffs - Nikon P510 caters to enthusiasts needing reach and manual control, while Ricoh CX6 serves casual or travel shooters who value convenience over power.

Given their similar price points hovering around $595-$600, the Nikon P510 represents stronger value for photographers looking beyond snapshots, especially when long telephoto might be game-changing. The Ricoh CX6, in contrast, is a great carry-everywhere option for cheapskate travelers or street photogs who’d rather not lug around a chunky bridge camera.

Neither is a powerhouse in low light or professional-grade image quality. Neither shoots RAW, which is a dealbreaker in some pro workflows. But both will surprise you with versatility for their sensor class and sizes - you just pick your poison based on what matters: zoom range & control, or portability & simplicity.

Thanks for reading this thorough comparison. I hope it sheds light on how these two small sensor superzooms perform beyond specs - and helps you choose the right camera that fits your style, budget, and creative goals. Feel free to reach out with questions or share your own experiences with these models!

Happy shooting!

– Your experience-driven, pocket-conscious photography gear guide