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Ricoh CX2 vs Sony A390

Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
35
Overall
33
Ricoh CX2 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony A390 Key Specs

Ricoh CX2
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
  • 185g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Released August 2009
Sony A390
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Announced July 2010
  • Earlier Model is Sony A380
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Ricoh CX2 vs Sony A390 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Ricoh CX2 vs Sony A390, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Ricoh and Sony. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the CX2 (9MP) and A390 (14MP) and the CX2 (1/2.3") and A390 (APS-C) use different sensor dimensions.

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The CX2 was manufactured 11 months earlier than the A390 so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras offer different body type with the Ricoh CX2 being a Compact camera and the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief view of how the CX2 grades against the A390 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Ricoh CX2 over the Sony A390

 CX2 A390 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Ricoh CX2

 A390 CX2 
AnnouncedJuly 2010August 2009More recent by 11 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Ricoh CX2 and Sony A390

 CX2 A390 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and volume. The Ricoh CX2 has exterior dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) whilst the Sony A390 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

See the Ricoh CX2 vs Sony A390 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the CX2 vs the A390.

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony A390 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the CX2 and A390 is 93 and 66 respectively.

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements simply by seeing a spec sheet. The visual underneath should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the CX2 and A390.

As you can see, both of those cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The CX2 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Sony A390 will show greater detail due to its extra 5MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older CX2 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Ricoh CX2
Portrait photography with Sony A390
25
manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
low MP (9MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
72
focusing manually
decent megapixels (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Ricoh CX2 Street photography details
Sony A390 Street photography details
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (185 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
76
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh CX2 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A390 as a Sports photography camera
26
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority
low MP (9 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
max fps very slow (3.0 fps)
low battery pack (230 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh CX2 Travel photography advice
Sony A390 Travel photography advice
66
lighter than competition (185g)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
long zoom (300mm)
low MP (9 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
53
decent megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low battery pack (230 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh CX2 Landscape photography details
Sony A390 Landscape photography details
42
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
low MP (9MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
61
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
low battery pack (230 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Ricoh CX2
Vlogging with Sony A390
30
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (185g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have mic port
9
no video recording
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Ricoh CX2 vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh CX2 and Sony A390
 Ricoh CX2Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Manufacturer Ricoh Sony
Model Ricoh CX2 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2009-08-20 2010-07-28
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Smooth Imaging Engine IV Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 9 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3456 x 2592 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-300mm (10.7x) -
Max aperture f/3.5-5.6 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m (ISO 400) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 640x480 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 185g (0.41 pounds) 549g (1.21 pounds)
Dimensions 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.5
DXO Low light score not tested 607
Other
Battery life - 230 shots
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model DB-70 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2, 10 or Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $341 $500