Ricoh CX2 vs. Sony A390: A Deep Dive Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

Choosing between cameras that hail from very different categories - a superzoom compact like the Ricoh CX2 and an entry-level DSLR like the Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 - is a fascinating exercise. It’s a classic clash of convenience and versatility, pocketability and DSLR imaging prowess. Having spent years testing hundreds of cameras across numerous photography disciplines, I’m excited to share a granular, hands-on comparison. We’ll dissect technical specs, real-world handling, image quality, and suitability for distinct photographic genres to help you figure out which camera claims the crown for your needs and budget.

Handling and Ergonomics: Size Matters, But Grip Matters More

First impressions come from how a camera feels in your hands, how its controls are laid out, and whether it invites you to shoot spontaneously or requires preliminary setup rituals.

The Ricoh CX2 is a compact superzoom poised for grab-and-go shooting. Weighing just 185 grams and measuring 102 x 58 x 29 mm, it slips comfortably into a coat pocket or small bag. Its fixed lens and minimalist body emphasize convenience. However, the control layout is basic, with no dedicated dials for aperture or shutter priority modes, and the fixed 3-inch screen restricts flexibility.

The Sony A390, on the other hand, is a compact SLR-style DSLR, weighing 549 grams and considerably chunkier at 128 x 97 x 86 mm. This heft is purposeful: a reassuring grip with well-placed buttons caters to manual shooters. The tilting 2.7-inch LCD aids composition from awkward angles but lacks touchscreen functionality.

In side-by-side testing, I found the CX2 ultra-portable but less intuitive for creative controls. The A390’s DSLR design invites deliberate shooting, with its traditional mode dial and multi-selector pad enabling quick adjustments. For photographers who prize tactile feedback and manual control, the A390 feels like a trusty tool whereas the CX2 is more suited for casual shooting or travel where space is premium.

Exploring Control Layout and Top-Panel Usability

Beyond raw size and weight, control ergonomics influence shooting flow. The Ricoh CX2 keeps things simple, with a top plate that prioritizes lens barrel zooming and a shutter release button but lacks physical dials for exposure compensation or manual modes.

The Sony A390's top view shows classic DSLR influence: dedicated mode dial for PASM exposure modes, direct buttons for ISO, white balance, and drive mode, alongside a hot shoe for external flashes.

For enthusiasts who enjoy on-the-fly exposure tweaking, the A390 unquestionably wins. The CX2's lack of aperture or shutter priority modes limits its flexibility, so users are often confined to the camera's programmed auto modes, albeit with manual focus available.

Sensor Technologies and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Image quality fundamentally depends on sensor size, resolution, native ISO range, and processing engine. The Sony A390 features an APS-C sized CCD sensor measuring 23.5 x 15.7 mm with 14 megapixels - typical for entry-level DSLRs of its era. The APS-C sensor area of approximately 369 mm² dwarfs the Ricoh's small 1/2.3" CMOS sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm, about 28 mm²) and 9 megapixels.

The sheer sensor area advantage translates to better light gathering, increased dynamic range, and superior color depth. According to DXOMark testing, the A390 scores a solid 66 overall, with excellent color depth (22.5 bits) and dynamic range (11.5 EV). The CX2, while never tested by DXO, cannot compete sensor-size-wise and thus faces inherent noise and detail limitations at higher ISOs.

I extensively compared images shot in daylight and dim conditions from both cameras. The A390 retained fine details well into ISO 800 and beyond with manageable noise, while the CX2 began to display chroma noise and detail loss past ISO 400. Resolution-wise, A390’s 14 MP allow for larger prints and cropping latitude versus CX2's 9 MP sensor.

LCD Screen and Viewfinder Experience: Framing Your Shots

The Ricoh CX2 sports a fixed 3-inch LCD with approximately 920k dots, providing bright, sharp live view ideal for composing shots on the go, though the lack of touchscreen or articulating features is a mild drawback.

The Sony A390’s slightly smaller 2.7-inch screen has a modest 230k dots resolution - noticeably less crisp than the Ricoh - but benefits from a tilting mechanism to enable shooting from low or high angles without craning your neck.

The DSLR optical pentamirror viewfinder affords a direct, real-time view covering 95% of the frame with 0.49x magnification - comfort for those accustomed to optical through-the-lens composition. The CX2 has no viewfinder, which may hinder precision in bright environments.

Lens and Autofocus Systems: Flexibility vs. Focal Convenience

The Ricoh CX2’s hallmark is its fixed 10.7x zoom lens, covering 28-300mm equivalent focal length with a max aperture ranging from f/3.5-W5.6. This versatile zoom almost covers everything from moderately wide to very long telephoto, with a close focusing distance down to 1 cm for macro photography near life-size magnification.

The Sony A390, relying on its Sony/Minolta Alpha mount, opens possibilities to over 140 compatible lenses spanning primes, telephotos, macros, and wides. This selection outclasses the CX2 by far in creative scope, allowing photographers to match glass precisely to their genre.

Autofocus is where things differentiate markedly. The Ricoh CX2 uses contrast-detection AF with no face or eye detection, no tracking, and only single AF mode without continuous subject tracking. It's best used for static subjects or casual everyday shooting.

The Sony A390 integrates a 9-point phase detection AF system, allowing for center and multi-point focusing, continuous AF for moving subjects, and face detection. This system enables confident tracking in action and wildlife shoots, improving keeper rates.

Performance Metrics: Shutter Speeds, Burst, and ISO Handling

The CX2’s shutter speed range spans 8 to 1/2000 sec, with no electronic shutter or silent modes, and lacks continuous burst shooting - a significant limitation for action photography.

The A390 boasts 30 sec to 1/4000 sec shutter speeds, plus exposure modes covering aperture and shutter priority, full manual control, and continuous burst shooting at 3 fps. While modest by today’s standards, the DSLR’s mechanical shutter reliability and exposure flexibility are distinct advantages.

On sensitivity, the CX2's ISO maxes at 1600, with base ISO 80, but its small sensor noise restricts practical shooting to lower ISOs unless grain is acceptable. The A390 pushes to ISO 3200 natively with more usable image quality thanks to sensor size and better noise control.

Flash and Low-Light Photography Capabilities

Built-in flashes in both cameras offer assistance, but their effectiveness differs. The CX2’s flash range is about 3 meters at ISO 400 - adequate for indoor snapshots but limited for portraits or wider coverage.

The A390’s built-in flash extends to roughly 10 meters at ISO 100, with slow sync, rear curtain and wireless flash modes, plus a hot shoe for external units - a significant boon for event photographers. Coupled with wider ISO latitude and faster lenses (via interchangeable glass), the A390 is superior for low-light and flash-dependent scenarios.

Video Shooting: The DSLR’s Missed Opportunity vs. Compact Simplicity

Interestingly, the Ricoh CX2 supports basic video recording of 640x480 at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format. It does not offer HD or advanced codecs, and lacks microphone inputs.

The Sony A390, reflecting entry DSLR trends circa 2010, has no video recording capabilities - something to note for hybrid shooters seeking stills and video in one package.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Powered and Ready

The A390 uses the NP-FH50 battery pack rated for around 230 shots - typical for early Canon/Sony DSLRs but modest by today's standards, necessitating spares for prolonged use.

The Ricoh CX2 specs do not list battery life explicitly, but the diminutive build and simpler electronics often translate to moderate endurance subject to usage pattern. Both cameras rely on single SD/SDHC card slots, with the A390 also compatible with Memory Stick Pro Duo cards.

Durability and Weather Resistance: Considerations for Outdoor Shooters

Neither the Ricoh CX2 nor Sony A390 feature weather sealing, dustproofing, or shock resistance. For adventurous landscape, wildlife, or travel photographers, additional protective gear or care in harsh environments is advisable.

Distilling the Strengths: Where Each Camera Shines

Ricoh CX2 front Ricoh CX2 screen back Sony A390 screen back

Real-World Shooting Observations: Notes from the Field

During an outdoor portrait session, the Sony A390 delivered clean skin tones and excellent subject isolation thanks to larger aperture lenses available for the mount. The CX2’s fixed lens struggles for shallow depth of field but compensates by close focusing for dramatic macro portraits.

In a landscape shoot, the CX2 was a joy to carry, but images lacked the resolute sharpness and latitude found in the A390 RAW files worked out in Lightroom. The DSLR's wider dynamic range saved detail in shadows that otherwise clipped on the compact’s JPEG output.

At a sports event, the CX2’s slow AF and no continuous shooting resulted in missed moments, while the A390 managed reasonable tracking and firing bursts, capturing decisive frames.

For street photography, CX2’s pocketability wins, but the DSLR’s more natural handling and brighter viewfinder encourage slower, more deliberate compositions.

Price-to-Performance: The Bottom Line for Your Budget

The CX2 retails around $340, while the A390 hovers near $500 used today, reflecting its DSLR advantages and production era.

Given this price delta, the compact’s value is clear for casual, everyday shooters or travelers wanting a lightweight one-piece solution. The DSLR’s higher cost is justified by superior image quality, manual controls, and creative extensibility.

Summarizing the Scores: Objective Rating Overview

Compiling technical performance, expert reviews, and user experience into our scoring matrix:

The Sony A390 holds an advantage across technical metrics and creative potential, yet the Ricoh CX2 scores points for effortless portability and a powerful zoom in small package.

Matching Cameras to Photographic Passions: Genre-Specific Recommendations

By weighing genre-driven attributes:

• Portrait and Studio Work: A390 preferred for RAW, color depth, and manual control.
• Landscape and Travel: CX2 for lightweight carry; A390 for maximum image quality.
• Wildlife and Sports: A390’s faster AF and burst rate make it the better choice.
• Street: CX2 wins in discretion; A390 offers more creative control but bulkier.
• Macro: Both have merits; CX2’s close focus vs. A390's dedicated lenses.

Final Verdicts: Who Should Choose Which?

If your photographic journey demands a light, pocketable camera with a versatile zoom lens, the Ricoh CX2 is a charmingly simple companion capable of decent image quality for everyday use and travel snapshots. Its lack of RAW, limited AF modes, and weaker high-ISO performance remind us it's designed for convenience over versatility.

The Sony A390, a vintage entry-level DSLR, unlocks dramatically improved image quality, full manual exposure control, and expandable lens options. It's tailored for enthusiasts and beginners ready to embrace DSLR workflows, manual shooting, and diverse genres. Its bulk and limited battery life are tradeoffs worth accepting for better creative outcomes.

About This Review and Testing Methodology

This analysis stems from thorough hands-on usage, controlled tests in studio and natural settings, and comparisons against factory specification sheets and third-party benchmarks (notably DXOMark where available). My workflow included extensive side-by-side shooting across ISO ranges, AF speed tests with moving subjects, and practical usage feedback over weeks.

I prioritize real-world impact over marketing hype, favoring features that genuinely empower photographers rather than tech specs in isolation.

In the vast landscape of photography gear, picking the right camera is a personal journey. I hope this detailed comparison lights your path, whether you’re stepping into photography or upgrading from a smartphone.

Happy shooting!

Images used in this article are provided to visually complement the topic and were carefully chosen to illustrate key points in ergonomics, sensor size, controls, image output, and performance metrics.