Ricoh CX2 vs. Sony NEX-5T: A Hands-On Comparison Across Photography Genres

When I first got my hands on both the Ricoh CX2 and the Sony NEX-5T, I knew it would be a fascinating exercise to pit these two very differently styled cameras against each other. They hail from two distinct eras and philosophies: the compact, superzoom Ricoh CX2 from 2009 offers simplicity and reach in a pocketable form, whereas the mirrorless Sony NEX-5T from 2013 aims to merge enthusiast-level image quality with compact system flexibility.

Having rigorously tested thousands of cameras over the years, I’m excited to walk you through an in-depth performance and usability comparison - not just specs on paper, but insights that stem from real-world shooting across varied photography disciplines and lighting conditions. Both cameras cater to different user needs and budgets, so I’ll break down where each shines and where compromises come into play.

Getting a Feel: Design, Size, and Ergonomics

Starting with build and handling, the Ricoh CX2 is a compact superzoom camera designed for portability. Measuring just 102x58x29 mm and weighing only 185 grams, it slips easily into a jacket pocket or small bag. Its fixed lens covers a versatile focal range (28–300mm equivalent) which makes it attractive for users wanting an all-in-one zoom without changing lenses.

The Sony NEX-5T, on the other hand, is a 2013-era mirrorless system camera with a rangefinder-style body shape, measuring 111x59x39 mm and tipping the scales at 276 grams (body only). The physical size bump reflects the interchangeable lens mount and APS-C sensor inside, along with a more sophisticated control layout. The NEX-5T’s ergonomics favor enthusiasts with a more deliberate grip, customizable buttons, and a tilting touchscreen.

Looking down from above, notice how the top dials and buttons are arranged differently.

The CX2 keeps it minimal with no external dials for shutter/aperture priority or manual modes - a characteristic shared by most compact superzooms. Instead, it offers point-and-shoot ease with limited direct control. The NEX-5T sports a mode dial, dedicated exposure compensation dial, and an externally accessible ISO button, all essential comforts for photographers who like to tweak settings on the fly.

Sensor and Image Quality: Size Matters – In a Good Way

A fundamental distinction lies in sensor size and resolution. The Ricoh CX2 features a 1/2.3" CMOS sensor measuring 6.17x4.55mm, while the Sony NEX-5T packs a larger APS-C CMOS sensor (23.4x15.6mm). This is a substantial difference in sensor area – around 28 mm² for the CX2 versus 365 mm² for the NEX-5T.

A larger sensor generally means bigger pixels, better light gathering, superior dynamic range, and improved image quality - especially in challenging lighting. The NEX-5T offers 16 megapixels of resolution, allowing for crisp 4912 x 3264 pixel images, while the CX2’s 9-megapixel sensor maxes out at 3456 x 2592 pixels.

In practical terms, the NEX-5T’s sensor produces more detailed, lower-noise images with more subtle gradations in color and tone. The CX2, while respectable for its time and sensor class, shows more noise at ISO 400 and above, and suffers from limited dynamic range. The widespread application of anti-aliasing filters on both reduces moiré but slightly softens fine detail.

LCD Screens and Interface Usability: Touch and Tilt

Both cameras offer 3-inch rear LCDs with similar pixel densities (around 920–922k dots), but their design philosophies reflect their eras and market brackets.

The Ricoh CX2’s fixed LCD screen limits compositional flexibility, and it does not support touch functionality. Its menus are straightforward, though minimal, aligned with a point-and-shoot user experience. The live view is usable but lacks autofocus sophistication.

In contrast, the Sony NEX-5T’s screen tilts up 180° and down 50°, enabling high and low angle shooting as well as selfies. The touchscreen interface greatly improves menu navigation, autofocus point selection, and focusing confirmation. Its live view AF employs hybrid contrast and phase detection, enhancing speed and accuracy.

Performance Across Photography Disciplines

Let’s dive deeper into how these cameras perform in the context of diverse photographic uses - something I always prioritize when considering a camera’s real-world suitability.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones, Focus and Bokeh

Portrait shooters care deeply about skin tone rendition, accurate autofocus on faces and eyes, and smooth, appealing bokeh for subject isolation. The CX2 relies on contrast-detection autofocus with no eye or face detection, limiting its accuracy with moving subjects or in low light. The fixed lens offers a decent zoom range but a max aperture of f/3.5–5.6 restricts bokeh creativity and low light capability.

By contrast, the NEX-5T has 99 AF points including phase detection, fast hybrid autofocus, and face detection for reliable eye tracking. This means sharply focused eyes almost every time - even with moving subjects. Paired with Sony’s E-mount lens ecosystem, you can attach fast prime lenses, like the 50mm f/1.8, that deliver creamy bokeh and pleasing skin tones.

I tested both on a portrait shoot indoors using natural window light. The CX2’s images were serviceable but often teased out flat skin tones and softer backgrounds in comparison to the NEX-5T coupled with a prime lens, which produced more dimensional and professional-looking portraits.

Landscape Photography: Resolution and Dynamic Range

Landscape photography demands high resolution, excellent dynamic range, and often rugged reliability. The NEX-5T’s 16MP APS-C sensor delivers excellent landscape detail and wide tonal gradations. It supports RAW capture, allowing maximum flexibility in post-processing HDR scenes - a feature missing from the CX2’s JPEG-only output.

Neither camera boasts environmental sealing, which means outdoor use requires careful weather planning, but the NEX-5T’s interchangeable lens system gives you access to ultra-wide or high-quality lenses specifically designed for landscapes.

I took both cameras on hikes at sunrise and dusk. The NEX-5T images showed richer shadow detail and clearer highlights in tricky lighting, thanks in part to its much better dynamic range (over 13 stops in lab tests) compared to the CX2.

Wildlife Photography: Zoom and Autofocus Speed

With a fixed zoom lens reaching 300mm equivalent, the Ricoh CX2’s biggest selling point is its reach in a small body. However, its autofocus system is contrast-detection-only, slow to lock, and lacks continuous tracking. It’s well suited for stationary subjects but can struggle with fast-moving animals.

Conversely, while the NEX-5T body alone does not include a telephoto lens, the Sony E-mount has an extensive lens catalog including telephoto zooms with speedy autofocus motors and optical stabilization. The NEX-5T itself supports continuous AF tracking with 10 fps burst shooting, creating a winning combination for wildlife enthusiasts.

If you primarily want a lightweight carry-everywhere superzoom for casual wildlife shots, the CX2 suffices. For more serious wildlife photography requiring faster AF and better image quality at longer focal lengths, the NEX-5T paired with proper lens options wins hands down.

Sports Photography: Burst and Tracking in Action

Capturing fast-paced sports requires high frame rates, accurate AF tracking, and good low-light ISO performance. The CX2 lacks continuous AF, and no burst mode is specified, effectively limiting its utility for sports.

The NEX-5T, however, offers 10 fps continuous shooting paired with reliable subject tracking. Its ISO range stretches up to 25,600, enabling decent performance under gymnasiums or evening light, albeit with some noise at very high ISOs.

Thus, for casual family sports or slow action, the CX2 might work, but the Sony NEX-5T is the only option here for dedicated sports shooting or capturing decisive moments.

Street Photography: Discreetness and Low-Light Handling

Street photographers prefer compact, unobtrusive cameras with fast focusing and good high ISO performance. The CX2’s small size is an asset here, but the longer lens and slow AF slightly detract from quick candid captures.

The NEX-5T, though larger and louder with its mirrorless design, focuses swiftly and quietly in live view mode. The tilting screen and touchscreen interface make composing from waist-level easier, which can help in candid shooting scenarios. The higher ISO capability lets you shoot well in dimmer conditions without degrading image quality too much.

I often carried both cameras for urban exploration. The CX2 fit easily in a jacket, but hesitation on focus occasionally led to missed moments. The NEX-5T, slightly bulkier, was more confident in capture, making it my preferred street shooter among the two.

Macro Photography: Close-Up Capabilities

When evaluating macro or close-up work, focusing precision and minimum focus distance are critical. The CX2 shines here with a 1cm macro focus range and sensor-shift image stabilization, allowing razor-sharp, stable compositions even handheld.

The NEX-5T’s macro performance depends heavily on lens choice; Sony’s E mount offers many specialized macro lenses with precise focus motors and image stabilization - far superior in optical quality but adding weight and bulk.

If you want a point-and-shoot macro capable compact, the CX2 is surprisingly capable. For dedicated macro work, the NEX-5T with a dedicated macro lens offers professional results.

Night and Astro Photography: ISO and Exposure Control

Astrophotographers benefit from cameras with excellent high ISO performance, long exposure options, and RAW capture. The CX2’s maximum ISO 1600 and absence of RAW pose sharp limitations.

The NEX-5T extends ISO sensitivity to 25,600 native, supports manual shutter speeds down to 30 seconds, and outputs RAW files for noise reduction and detail recovery later. While the NEX-5T lacks dedicated astro-exposure modes, its manual controls and superior sensor responsiveness make it a modestly capable entry-level astro camera.

Video Capabilities: Recording Quality and Stabilization

Video is no afterthought today. The CX2 records only at 640x480 VGA resolution at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format - a modest capability even in 2009.

The NEX-5T impresses with Full HD (1920x1080) recording at 60p, 60i, and 24p in AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats. While it lacks in-body stabilization, many E-mount lenses feature optical image stabilization to smooth video. The camera misses out on microphone and headphone ports, limiting audio flexibility, but its tilting touchscreen aids video framing.

Travel Photography: Versatility and Battery Life

For travel, size, lens flexibility, battery endurance, and reliable operation matter. The Ricoh CX2’s compact size, wide zoom range, and lightweight design make it an easy choice to carry everywhere. However, its lack of wireless connectivity and limited battery life (data not specified, but typical compact battery life is modest) might frustrate longer trips.

The Sony NEX-5T’s 330-shot battery life is respectable for a mirrorless. Its wide lens ecosystem allows versatility - from wide, normal, telephoto zooms to primes. Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC enables quick sharing during travel.

Ricoh CX2 front Ricoh CX2 screen back Sony NEX 5T front Sony NEX 5T screen back

In side-by-side imagery, you can clearly see the greater detail, better colors, and cleaner high ISO performance from the NEX-5T. The CX2 produces enjoyable snapshots but lacks the punch and subtlety of a larger-sensor mirrorless camera.

Professional Use: Reliability and Workflow Compatibility

For professional work, especially commercial photography, the NEX-5T offers significant advantages. Shooting RAW, exposure and shutter/aperture priority modes, comprehensive manual controls, and compatibility with multiple lenses make it suitable for diverse assignments.

The CX2’s fixed-lens simplicity and JPEG-only approach limit professional utility. Its sensor size and image quality fall short of industry standards for professional use.

Technical Insights: Autofocus, Build, and Connectivity

Beyond use cases, here is a distilled technical analysis based on my hands-on testing.

Summarized Performance Scores

Here’s a graphical overview of how both cameras stack up overall:

The NEX-5T leads consistently across image quality, autofocus, and feature set, while the CX2 scores mainly on portability and zoom versatility for casual use.

Genre-Specific Strengths and Weaknesses

Breaking performance down by photography type illustrates their divergent strengths:

• The CX2 excels in travel and macro photography when you need simplicity and reach.
• The NEX-5T outpaces in portraits, landscapes, sports, wildlife, and night photography, due to superior sensor and focusing hardware.
• Video capabilities are clearly better on the NEX-5T.
• Street photography is a close call, with NEX-5T favored for AF and control, versus CX2’s pocketability.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera is Right For You?

Having personally evaluated both cameras under controlled lab conditions and on diverse real-world assignments, here’s how I’d summarize their appeal:

Ricoh CX2 – Best if you want:

• A compact, lightweight superzoom camera for casual snapshots and travel
• Macro shooting without fuss and easy point-and-shoot operation
• Budget-friendly gear that doesn’t require investment in lenses or post-processing
• A camera that you can pocket for everyday carry without bulk

Limitations: Image quality and autofocus are basic by modern standards; no RAW support; restrictive manual controls.

Sony NEX-5T – Best if you want:

• A flexible mirrorless system camera with high image quality and RAW support
• Full creative control over exposure settings, including manual, shutter and aperture priority
• Fast, accurate autofocus with face detection for portraits and action
• Access to a broad range of lenses for specialized photography: macro, telephoto, wide angle
• Enhanced video features and connectivity options for sharing and workflow integration
• Aordable entry into APS-C mirrorless photography with a strong balance of portability and performance

Limitations: Larger size compared to point-and-shoot compacts; lens investment needed to maximize potential; no in-body stabilization.

If you want a highly capable camera that bridges casual ease and enthusiast-grade quality, the Sony NEX-5T remains a compelling choice today on the used market. For those prioritizing convenience, pocketability, and zoom range in a single tidy unit, the Ricoh CX2 covers that niche well, though its imaging capability feels dated next to the NEX-5T.

Ultimately, your decision will hinge on whether you value high image quality and system expansion or ultra-portable simplicity. I recommend trying both in hand if possible, but this detailed breakdown should empower you to choose with confidence based on your photographic ambitions and budget.

Happy shooting!