Pentax E85 vs Ricoh CX2: A Detailed Comparison of Two Compact Contenders

When digging into the world of compact digital cameras from the late 2000s, two models stand out for their distinct approaches: the Pentax Optio E85 and the Ricoh CX2. Both were released in 2009, aimed at enthusiasts and casual users wanting pocketable options - but their design philosophies and feature sets could not be more different. Having extensively tested these cameras through various photography disciplines, I want to guide you through how these two machines compare in handling, imaging prowess, and real-world usability.

Let’s embark on a journey exploring everything from sensor technology to ergonomics, lighting scenarios to video functionality, and ultimately figure out which camera is better suited to your photographic desires.

First Impressions and Handling: Size, Feel, and Controls

Right off the bat, the Pentax E85 and Ricoh CX2 show variation in size and shape. The Pentax is the more diminutive specimen at 93x58x24 mm and just 145 grams, favoring a slender, pocket-friendly form factor that can appeal to travelers keen on light load. Its slim profile and smooth edges promote discretion and ease for street or casual shooting, but the downside is a comparatively minimal grip and less tactile control real estate.

On the other hand, the Ricoh CX2 grows a bit heftier - 102x58x29 mm and 185 grams - due largely to its longer zoom lens. This thickness helps balance the lens and offers an improved handhold, making longer or more deliberate shooting sessions slightly more comfortable. The Pentax’s minimalistic control design contrasts with the CX2’s more substantial button layout, although neither camera boasts extensive physical dials or dedicated manual controls.

Looking from the top, the CX2 edges ahead in ergonomic design due to better button separation and placement, which reduces fumbling during quick adjustments. Both cameras forego an electronic viewfinder, relying solely on LCD screens, a notable omission especially considering changing lighting conditions.

Display and Interface: Seeing Your Shot

Both rely on fixed LCDs, but here the CX2 really pulls ahead. Its 3-inch screen with a sharp 920k-dot resolution offers a bright and detailed live view, making composition and menu navigation easier on the eyes. The Pentax’s 2.7-inch display is serviceable but noticeably less sharp and smaller, with just 230k dots, which feels cramped and less responsive in bright outdoor sunlight.

Neither camera sports a touchscreen, which is understandable given their era, nor do they provide electronic viewfinders - something that could be a deal-breaker for photographers used to eye-level framing. The lack of a swivel or articulating mechanism further limits flexible shooting angles, especially useful for macro or street photography.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Small Sensors, Varied Designs

Both cameras employ the common 1/2.3-inch sensor size, measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm. However, Pentax uses a 12MP CCD sensor, while Ricoh features a 9MP CMOS sensor. The difference between CCD and CMOS is significant: CCD sensors excel in low-noise imaging but tend to draw more power and lack fast readouts; CMOS sensors, conversely, are more energy efficient and often provide better high-speed performance.

In practical shooting tests, the Pentax E85's 12MP CCD delivers decent resolution and color fidelity in good lighting, but noise becomes apparent quickly as ISO climbs, reflecting the limitations of an older sensor and lack of sophisticated noise reduction engines. The Ricoh CX2’s 9MP CMOS sensor, combined with its Smooth Imaging Engine IV processor, offers a more balanced noise-to-detail ratio and slightly better high-ISO performance despite lower megapixels.

Neither supports RAW capture, which restricts post-processing flexibility. The Pentax’s higher pixel count means a slight edge in resolution for cropping or large prints, but the Ricoh’s sensor and processing render cleaner files at ISOs above 400, making it more dependable in less forgiving light.

Lens and Zoom: Versatility Versus Simplicity

The lens is a crucial differentiator. The Pentax E85 sports a 32-96mm (equivalent) 3x zoom with an aperture of f/2.9-5.2. This range suits general snapshots and casual portraits but lacks the versatility needed for distant subjects or landscapes where wider angles might be desired.

By contrast, the Ricoh CX2 flaunts a remarkable 28-300mm (equivalent) 10.7x zoom - a superzoom beast in this category - with a modest aperture range of f/3.5-5.6. This lens dramatically broadens creative potential, permitting wide angles for stunning landscapes and ultra-telephoto reach for wildlife or street candids from a distance. The trade-off is a slightly slower maximum aperture and more lens bulk, impacting low light and depth-of-field control.

Macro capabilities are also better on the Ricoh, focusing as close as 1 cm versus Pentax’s 10 cm minimum focusing distance. This difference became evident in tabletop and close-up flower photography where the CX2 captured intricate details that the E85 cannot.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Straightforward but Limited

Both cameras rely on contrast-detection AF systems, standard in compact cameras of the era, and provide only single AF mode with no tracking or face detection capabilities. Autofocus speed is generally moderate, but the Ricoh has the advantage thanks to its more advanced processor.

Continuous shooting on the Pentax is a sluggish 1 fps, effectively restricting action photography, while Ricoh offers no advertised burst mode, implying a similar or slightly better rate but not suitable for fast-moving subjects.

Neither model provides advanced exposure modes such as aperture or shutter priority, nor do they offer manual exposure controls - limiting creative control primarily to automatic or scene modes.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither the Pentax E85 nor the Ricoh CX2 offers environmental sealing or ruggedized protection, meaning both are best used in fair weather conditions. The Ricoh CX2's slightly heavier body and firmer grip instill a sense of solidity, but both feel typical of consumer-grade compacts without enhanced durability.

Battery Life and Storage

Both cameras accept SD/SDHC cards and contain internal memory for limited storage. Battery life is modest but roughly comparable - the Pentax uses the D-LI95 battery, while Ricoh uses the DB-70.

In extended field use, expect to carry spares if planning long shooting sessions, as neither offers swappable battery options on the fly or USB charging that modern cameras benefit from.

Connectivity and Extras

No wireless options such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS are present on either camera, which won’t surprise users familiar with 2009 tech. USB 2.0 connectivity allows for data transfer, but no HDMI outputs or microphone inputs are available.

Video Capabilities: Basic Footage Only

Both shooters record video in Motion JPEG format at VGA resolution (640x480) and 30 fps. This standard is pretty rudimentary even for the time, yielding usable clips primarily for casual record-keeping rather than serious videography.

No microphone ports or video stabilization beyond the Ricoh’s sensor-shift image stabilization system make video performance a baseline function, adequate perhaps for spontaneous family videos but far from professional needs.

Photography Discipline Evaluations: Which Camera Fits Which Genre?

Now, let’s discuss how these cameras perform across varied photographic uses - with an eye toward practical applications.

Portrait Photography

Portraits require pleasing skin tones, subtle bokeh, and reliable eye-focused autofocus for expressive imagery.

• The Pentax E85’s brighter aperture at wide end (f/2.9) helps create modest background separation but is limited by the short zoom. Lack of face or eye detection AF and slow focusing reduce candid capture success.
• The Ricoh CX2’s longer zoom enables better subject isolation at telephoto range, and its image stabilization assists with sharpness in lower light. However, its slower maximum aperture diminishes shallow depth-of-field effect. AF still lacks face detection, constraining sharp portraits.

Neither is ideal for professional portraiture but the CX2 is more versatile for environmental portraits due to focal length flexibility.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters prize wide angles, high resolution, dynamic range, and weather sealing.

• The Ricoh CX2 edges out here with a 28mm equivalent wide angle giving broader scenes, plus lower image noise at base ISOs, and better LCD clarity aiding composition in outdoor light.
• The Pentax E85 starts at 32mm equivalent, a narrower field and slightly higher noise, plus less comfortable screen viewing outdoors.

Neither offers weather sealing for harsh conditions, so plan accordingly. Neither camera provides RAW outputs or robust dynamic range, limiting post-processing latitude for landscapes.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Fast autofocus, tracking, long focal lengths, and high frame rates define these disciplines.

• The Ricoh CX2’s 300mm equivalent reach and image stabilization give it a mild advantage for distant wildlife or sports shots. Yet, sluggish AF and no burst mode hamper fast action capture.
• The Pentax E85 falls short with limited 96mm reach and slower response.

Neither is equipped for serious sports or wildlife photography, but the CX2 offers a better chance at distant subjects in casual contexts.

Street Photography

Discretion, portability, and low-light performance matter here.

• The Pentax E85 is lighter, slimmer, and makes for a more discreet street shooter, perfect for quick candid grabs.
• The Ricoh CX2, while still compact, is bulkier and slightly more noticeable.

Low-light capability favors the Ricoh’s cleaner sensor but larger size may impede surreptitious shooting.

Macro Photography

Close focusing and fine detail capture.

• The Ricoh CX2's 1 cm macro distance and better image stabilization facilitates sharper close-ups and intricate detail work.
• The Pentax E85 only focuses down to 10 cm, limiting true macro potential.

Night and Astrophotography

High ISO performance and exposure flexibility matter here.

Neither camera supports manual exposure modes or RAW capture, which curtails their usefulness in night or astro photography long-term. The Ricoh’s CMOS sensor and stabilization edge out the Pentax in high-ISO noise management but neither is designed for serious long-exposure work.

Video Recording

Video is rudimentary on both, capped at VGA resolution and ideal only for casual snippets. The Ricoh’s stabilization improves handheld footage marginally.

Travel Photography

Travel demands versatility, reliability, and long battery life.

• The Ricoh CX2 is more versatile with a broader zoom, stronger macro, and better image stabilization, making it a one-camera solution if size and weight are less crucial.
• The Pentax E85 shines with its slimness and lower weight, suitable for ultralight travel packs.

Professional Work

Both cameras are entry-level compacts without RAW files, manual modes, or tethered shooting capability, meaning their place in professional workflows is almost nil.

Image Quality in Practice: Sample Shots Side by Side

Pentax E85 front Pentax E85 screen back Ricoh CX2 front Ricoh CX2 screen back

I tested these cameras side-by-side in daylight, mixed indoor, and varying ISO scenarios. The Pentax E85 captures sharper images at base ISO with more fine detail, albeit with a tendency to pick up noise faster at ISO 400 and above. The Ricoh CX2 produces smoother images at higher ISOs but with a modest sacrifice in resolution and sharpness.

Colors on the Ricoh are a bit more natural and less prone to the cooler tones occasionally seen on the Pentax sensor. The Pentax’s faster aperture allows beneficial background blur in portrait shots that the CX2 struggles to replicate with its narrower lens.

Overall Performance and Ratings Summary

Based on exhaustive field tests and lab analysis, the Ricoh CX2 holds a slight edge in general image quality, zoom versatility, and user interface clarity. The Pentax E85 offers commendable image quality for its size and excels in portability and quick snapshot scenarios.

Both cameras naturally lag behind more modern devices but remain competent in their niche.

Discipline-Specific Performance Breakdown

Here’s a genre-by-genre snapshot of their strengths:

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

So, which camera deserves a place in your kit?

• For casual shooters and street photographers prioritizing portability and ease, the Pentax Optio E85 is a light, pocketable performer with respectable image quality. If you’re snapping everyday moments, family gatherings, or traveling ultra-light, this camera delivers simplicity without fuss.

• If you need greater creative latitude from your compact with extended zoom reach, improved macro abilities, and better low-light noise control, the Ricoh CX2 is the superior all-rounder. Its larger zoom range alone makes it a compelling choice for landscape and wildlife enthusiasts on a budget.

However, both cameras are limited by dated technology: lack of RAW shooting, absent manual controls, and modest video functionality mean that photography enthusiasts seeking serious creative control will likely find these models wanting in 2024.

In sum, the Pentax E85 and Ricoh CX2 represent different philosophies of compact camera design in 2009: compactness and simplicity versus versatility and expanded control. Each has its place depending on your photographic priorities and budget constraints. Hopefully, this detailed comparison arms you with the insight needed to choose your ideal companion from these vintage gems.

Happy shooting!