Clicky

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony A550

Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
35
Overall
33
Ricoh CX2 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony A550 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
  • Launched August 2009
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Revealed December 2009
  • Succeeded the Sony A100
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony A550 Overview

Following is a in depth overview of the Ricoh CX2 and Sony A550, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Ricoh and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the resolutions of the CX2 (9MP) and A550 (14MP) and the CX2 (1/2.3") and A550 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor size.

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

The CX2 was brought out 3 months before the A550 and they are of a similar age. Both cameras feature different body design with the Ricoh CX2 being a Compact camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving into a complete comparison, here is a concise overview of how the CX2 scores against the A550 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest
	
	

Reasons to pick Ricoh CX2 over the Sony A550

 CX2 A550 

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Ricoh CX2

 A550 CX2 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k920kSharper display (+2k dot)

Common features in the Ricoh CX2 and Sony A550

 CX2 A550 
RevealedAugust 2009December 2009Similar age
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display size3"3"Same display size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Ricoh CX2 enjoys exterior measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) and the Sony A550 has measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Take a look at the Ricoh CX2 and Sony A550 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select during that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the CX2 against the A550.

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the CX2 and A550 is 93 and 63 respectively.

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reading through specs. The picture underneath might provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the CX2 and A550.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The CX2 because of its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony A550 will give you extra detail having its extra 5 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images a good deal more aggressively.

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Ricoh CX2
Portrait photography with Sony A550
25
focusing manually
no manual control
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (9 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
72
manual focus
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Street Comparison

Ricoh CX2 Street photography highlights
Sony A550 Street photography highlights
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (185 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
74
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Ricoh CX2
Sports photography with Sony A550
26
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (9MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery pack (480 shots)
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Travel Comparison

Ricoh CX2 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A550 as a Travel photography camera
66
lighter than competitors (185 grams)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
very long reach (300mm)
low resolution sensor (9 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
52
decent MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (480 shots)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Landscape Comparison

Ricoh CX2 Landscape photography information
Sony A550 Landscape photography information
42
focusing manually
pretty wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
low resolution sensor (9MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
66
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
terrible battery pack (480 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse recording
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh CX2 Vlogging factors
Sony A550 Vlogging factors
30
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (185g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
9
no video shooting
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh CX2 and Sony A550
 Ricoh CX2Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Make Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh CX2 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2009-08-20 2009-12-09
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Smooth Imaging Engine IV Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 9 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias 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 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-300mm (10.7x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.6 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m (ISO 400) 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 640x480 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 185 gr (0.41 lbs) 632 gr (1.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 807
Other
Battery life - 480 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID DB-70 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2, 10 or Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $341 $749