Ricoh CX1 vs. Sony HX50V: Which Compact Superzoom Suits Your Creative Journey?

Choosing the right compact camera with a powerful zoom can be daunting given the many small-sensor compacts available. The Ricoh CX1 and Sony Cyber-shot HX50V represent two compelling options that differ in core capabilities, particularly around zoom reach, image quality, and shooting features. Having spent years rigorously testing and using both cameras, this hands-on comparison dives deep into design, technical performance, real-world usability, and value - helping you find the best fit for your photographic style.

Compact Bodies, Different Ambitions: Handling and Ergonomics

Both the Ricoh CX1 (released 2009) and Sony HX50V (released 2013) target the enthusiast who craves a versatile, pocketable zoom. Yet their body sizes and ergonomics reflect their design philosophies.

You’ll notice immediately that the CX1 is smaller and lighter - ideal if ultimate portability is your priority. It slips easily into most pockets and encourages spontaneous shooting thanks to its unobtrusive stance.

In contrast, the HX50V weighs about 50% more and has a more pronounced grip, providing better handhold stability during extended shooting sessions or when using long telephoto settings. Its button layout and joystick navigation give you access to manual exposure and custom modes, supporting more precise control.

In practical shoots, I appreciated the CX1’s nimbleness for street and travel photography, while the HX50V felt more confident when shooting wildlife or sports where you need steady hold and quick parameter adjustments.

Viewing and Composing: Screens and Viewfinders

Both cameras share a 3-inch screen of similar resolution, but the HX50V uses Sony's XtraFine LCD technology, offering richer color reproduction and better daylight visibility. Neither offers a touchscreen, but the HX50V supports an optional electronic viewfinder (EVF). The CX1 lacks any viewfinder, meaning you compose exclusively via the screen.

This difference can influence your comfort in bright outdoor conditions. The HX50V's EVF option shields against glare, making it easier to frame shots in strong sunlight or fast-moving action. The CX1’s screen is fixed, with no tilt or swivel function, which may limit creative angles. If you frequently shoot in bright environments or prefer the traditional eye-level framing, the HX50V has an edge here.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras use 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensors measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm, a common compact size. However, the Sony packs a 20 MP resolution, versus 9 MP on the Ricoh. Higher megapixels promise more detail but can also increase noise if sensor technology and processing aren’t optimized.

Sony’s back-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor greatly improves low-light sensitivity by allowing more light to reach the photodiodes. During our lab and real-world tests, the HX50V consistently produced cleaner images at higher ISOs with less color noise and better dynamic range than the CX1.

That said, the CX1’s 9 MP sensor yields sharp 13 x 19-inch prints, and its Smooth Imaging Engine IV processor renders natural colors well, especially under daylight. It’s a capable shooter for casual portraits, landscapes, and travel snapshots but shows its age in dimmer conditions or high-contrast scenes.

Zoom and Lens Performance: From Wide to Wild Telephoto

Here’s where the cameras’ philosophies sharply diverge.

The CX1’s 28-200mm (35mm equiv) zoom covers wide-angle to moderate telephoto. Its standout macro focusing at just 1 cm lets you get incredibly close for detailed shots of flowers or textures - a rare feature in compacts.

The HX50V crushes this range with an ultra-telephoto 30x zoom reaching a massive 720 mm. While the aperture narrows to f/6.3 at the long end, the zoom flexibility is perfect for wildlife, sports, or distant subjects.

Sony’s Optical SteadyShot stabilizer is excellent at reducing blur, especially critical at long focal lengths. The Ricoh uses sensor-shift stabilization, which is effective but less refined compared to Sony’s optical system in our testing.

For macro fans, the CX1 is the better pick with its super-close focusing, while the HX50V excels if you want vast reach and versatile framing options.

Autofocus Systems: Speed and Accuracy in the Field

Both cameras rely on contrast-detection autofocus, typical for compacts, but the HX50V adds multi-area AF and face detection, improving subject tracking and accuracy.

In real shooting with fluctuating light and moving subjects, the HX50V’s face detection helped lock focus quickly on people. It also managed to track moving subjects better in street and wildlife scenarios.

The Ricoh’s AF was slower and occasionally hunted, especially in low contrast or dim light. It shines for deliberate compositions but isn’t ideal for fast-paced action.

Shooting Speed and Burst Performance

Burst mode is essential for capturing fleeting moments in sports, wildlife, or street photography.

• Ricoh CX1: No burst shooting mode; single shot only.
• Sony HX50V: Up to 10 frames per second continuous shooting.

This large difference affords the HX50V a significant advantage for action photographers who want a chance at perfectly timed shots.

Exposure Control and Creative Flexibility

Sony’s HX50V supports manual exposure modes including shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual. Exposure compensation is also available for nuanced control. You can customize white balance and access Spot and Multi-segment metering.

The Ricoh CX1, by contrast, offers fixed automatic exposure with no aperture or shutter priority modes, limiting creative control.

For enthusiasts eager to learn manual exposure or experiment with depth of field and motion blur, the HX50V provides a much richer toolset.

Video Capabilities: Ready for Motion

The Ricoh CX1 captures standard definition video at 640x480 pixels, 30 fps in Motion JPEG format. Its video capabilities are quite basic.

The Sony HX50V supports Full HD 1080p video at 60 fps, with AVCHD and MPEG-4 codecs, plus HDMI output for playback on external monitors.

While neither camera is designed as a dedicated movie cam, the HX50V clearly delivers more in terms of resolution, framerates, and professional codecs - ideal if you want to mix stills and polished videos on the go.

Battery Life and Connectivity

The Sony HX50V’s 400-shot battery life far outperforms the little-documented CX1. Plus, the HX50V’s built-in Wi-Fi and GPS offer direct image transfer and GPS tagging - features useful for travel bloggers and explorers wanting to streamline their workflow.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, dustproofing, or waterproofing, so protect them carefully if shooting outdoors in challenging weather.

Image Samples: Real-world Quality Comparison

Our gallery below showcases typical output from both cameras across portrait, landscape, and telephoto subjects.

Ricoh CX1 front Ricoh CX1 screen back Sony HX50V front Sony HX50V screen back

The Ricoh CX1’s images have natural tones and punchy colors, with sharp landscapes where light is ample. At ISO 400 and above, noise increases noticeably. Macro photography stands out with sharp, vibrant close-ups.

Sony HX50V images demonstrate higher resolution sharpness, better dynamic range handling, and more faithful colors in complex lighting. Telephoto shots reveal more detail with less softness and noise due to superior stabilization and sensor tech.

Performance Scores at a Glance

Our evaluation rates key performance aspects on a 10-point scale for overall photography use.

Who Wins in Each Photography Genre?

Summary: Which Camera Should You Choose?

Ricoh CX1 - Ideal for:

• Photography enthusiasts wanting a lightweight, super-compact camera.
• Macro photographers who appreciate ultra-close focusing capabilities.
• Casual shooters prioritizing simplicity and portability.
• Budget-conscious buyers satisfied with solid daylight image quality.

Sony HX50V - Best suited for:

• Enthusiasts needing extensive zoom reach for wildlife, sports, or travel.
• Photographers seeking manual control for exposure and creative flexibility.
• Vloggers and videographers who want Full HD video at smooth frame rates.
• Explorers valuing integrated GPS and wireless image sharing.
• Anyone wanting superior overall image quality, AES, and faster autofocus.

Final Thoughts

After thorough testing spanning various shooting conditions, the Sony HX50V clearly outperforms the Ricoh CX1 in key areas like sensor technology, zoom range, autofocus sophistication, and versatility. However, the Ricoh CX1 remains a viable, pocket-friendly companion for everyday use and specialized macro work.

If you’re ready to step up your photography game with richer controls, longer zoom, and better image quality, the Sony HX50V is the clear winner - but it comes with added size and price. Those prioritizing ultra-compact convenience may find the Ricoh CX1 indispensible despite its limitations.

Regardless of your choice, both cameras reflect the exciting capabilities of compact superzooms that empower you to capture creative moments wherever you roam. Check out these models hands-on if possible, and pair them with quality accessories to unlock their full potential. Your next photo adventure awaits!