Clicky

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony a1

Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
35
Overall
33
Ricoh CX2 front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony a1 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 a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Introduced January 2021
Photography Glossary

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony a1 Overview

Following is a detailed assessment of the Ricoh CX2 and Sony a1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Ricoh and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the sensor resolutions of the CX2 (9MP) and a1 (50MP) and the CX2 (1/2.3") and a1 (Full frame) boast different sensor dimensions.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The CX2 was announced 12 years prior to the a1 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Ricoh CX2 being a Compact camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a complete comparison, here is a brief summation of how the CX2 matches up against the a1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide
	
	

Reasons to pick Ricoh CX2 over the Sony a1

 CX2 a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Ricoh CX2

 a1 CX2 
IntroducedJanuary 2021August 2009More modern by 139 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k920kCrisper display (+520k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Ricoh CX2 and Sony a1

 CX2 a1 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Ricoh CX2 has got outer dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) and the Sony a1 has proportions of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Check the Ricoh CX2 and Sony a1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the CX2 against the a1.

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony a1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the CX2 and a1 is 93 and 61 respectively.

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes just by viewing specs. The pic here might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the CX2 and a1.

All in all, both cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The CX2 using its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Sony a1 will render greater detail with its extra 41MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged CX2 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh CX2 Portrait photography advice
Sony a1 Portrait photography advice
25
you can focus manually
no manual mode
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (9 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
88
you can focus manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/400 seconds)
excellent MP (50 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Ricoh CX2 Street photography features
Sony a1 Street photography features
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (185 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
79
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
boasts touch to focus
environment proof
good high ISO (32,000)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Ricoh CX2 Sports photography information
Sony a1 Sports photography information
26
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (9 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
90
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
high frames per second (30.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent MP (50MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
good battery life (530 per charge)
sensor has phase detect AF
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Ricoh CX2 as a Travel photography camera
Sony a1 as a Travel photography camera
66
lighter than competition in class (185 grams)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
megapixel count low (9MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
73
good battery life (530 CIPA)
environment proof
supports bluetooth
boasts touch to focus
excellent MP (50MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Ricoh CX2 Landscape photography highlights
Sony a1 Landscape photography highlights
42
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
megapixel count low (9MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
88
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent MP (50MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (32,000)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
good battery life (530 per charge)
has dual storage slots
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh CX2 Vlogging info
Sony a1 Vlogging info
30
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (185 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of microphone support
36
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focusing
high res video (7680 x 4320 resolution)
includes external microphone jack
does not have selfie friendly screen
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Ricoh CX2 vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh CX2 and Sony a1
 Ricoh CX2Sony Alpha a1
General Information
Make Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh CX2 Sony Alpha a1
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Released 2009-08-20 2021-01-26
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Smooth Imaging Engine IV -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 9 megapixels 50 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3456 x 2592 8640 x 5760
Maximum native ISO 1600 32000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 759
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 28-300mm (10.7x) -
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.6 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Number of lenses - 133
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 920 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,437 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.9x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 30.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m (ISO 400) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/400 secs
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) 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 7680x4320
Video file format Motion JPEG XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 185 grams (0.41 pounds) 737 grams (1.62 pounds)
Physical dimensions 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 530 images
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID DB-70 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2, 10 or Custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots Single 2
Launch cost $341 $6,498