Ricoh CX3 vs Samsung NX11: A Hands-On Comparison for Everyday and Enthusiast Photographers

Choosing your next camera often feels like navigating a maze of specs, marketing buzz, and gearhead debates. As someone who’s tested thousands of digital cameras across genres and price points, I’ll walk you through an honest, practical comparison of two interesting cameras from 2010: the compact Ricoh CX3 superzoom and the mirrorless Samsung NX11. They sit far apart on the camera spectrum but can appeal to photographers looking for specific features or budget-friendly options. Here’s what I found beneath the spec sheets based on real-world use, technical insight, and considerations for various shooting styles.

First Impressions and Handling: Size, Weight, and Ergonomics

Before diving into megapixels and autofocus, hands-on comfort and handling can truly shape your shooting experience. The Ricoh CX3 is a classic compact superzoom designed to slip easily into a jacket pocket or purse. Weighing just 206 grams and sized 102 x 58 x 29 mm, it’s barely noticeable but also sports a modest grip and minimal controls.

Meanwhile, the Samsung NX11 looks more like a traditional DSLR alternative: a mirrorless camera with an SLR-style body weighing 499 grams and measuring 123 x 87 x 40 mm. It sports a chunkier handgrip and clubs for thumbs, making it feel more serious in the hand.

Ricoh CX3
Pros: Ultra-compact, lightweight, pocket-friendly
Cons: Small controls, no viewfinder, may feel toy-like to larger hands

Samsung NX11
Pros: Solid grip, traditional control layout, feels substantial and balanced
Cons: Bulkier to carry around; not as travel-friendly for minimalist setups

If you prize sheer portability and want a grab-and-go superzoom without extra lenses, the CX3 nails it. But if you prefer a camera with more physical controls and a comfortable grip for extended shooting, the NX11 is the clear winner.

Control Layout and Interface: Quick Access for Creative Flow

Photography is fun when your fingers find the right dials and buttons without fumbling. I examined both cameras’ control ergonomics using their top plates and rear interfaces.

CX3:

• Minimal buttons and no dedicated mode dials for manual exposure - this camera leans heavily on full auto or program modes.
• No touchscreen or articulating display; a fixed 3” LCD with average resolution.
• No external flash hot shoe.

NX11:

• Traditional SLR-style controls including dedicated mode dial with aperture/shutter priority and manual controls.
• Electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 100% coverage adds confidence when shooting in bright light or composing precisely.
• Fixed 3” OLED screen, lower resolution but rich color with good contrast.
• External flash shoe for creative lighting.

Hands-on, the NX11 feels like a camera designed for learners stepping into manual control or enthusiasts who want more exposure flexibility and quick access to their settings. The CX3, by contrast, is a point-and-shoot, almost pocket cam geared towards casual users or travelers who prefer simplicity.

Sensor and Image Quality: Superzoom Compact vs APS-C Mirrorless

Here’s where the data gets juicy and really divides the candidates.

The CX3 sports a 10-megapixel 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensor - typical of most compacts and superzooms from its era - with a modest 6.17x4.55 mm sensor area. Samsung’s NX11 offers a much larger APS-C CMOS (23.4 x 15.6 mm) delivering 15 megapixels, with a 1.5x crop factor and no anti-aliasing filter for crisper images.

What this means in practice:

Thanks to the physically bigger sensor and higher resolution, the NX11 delivers images with superior dynamic range, detail, and low noise performance, especially noticeable under low-light or landscape conditions. The CX3’s sensor is a standard compact sensor, limiting image quality especially in shadows and higher ISO, but it performs well in bright daylight.

Autofocus and Speed: How Fast and Accurate?

Both cameras use contrast-detection autofocus systems, but the NX11 has 15 autofocus points versus multiple zones on the CX3 without defined points.

• Ricoh CX3: Basic contrast-detection AF, single focus mode only; no continuous tracking or face detection; only a center-weighted metering system.
• Samsung NX11: Contrast-based AF with multiple selectable AF points, face detection supported; AF can operate in continuous or single mode.

Neither model includes modern phase-detection AF or eye/animal detection popular in recent mirrorless cameras, but within their epochs, the NX11's AF was more flexible and responsive for moving subjects. The CX3’s AF can hunt somewhat under low contrast but is generally sufficient for casual snaps like landscapes and portraits.

For burst shooting, the NX11 offers 3 frames per second continuous shooting, suitable for modest action or street photography. The CX3 does not specify continuous shooting modes, reflecting its superzoom compact design focus.

Lenses and Optical Zoom: Zoom Range and Flexibility

The CX3’s fixed lens covers a 28-300mm (full-frame equivalent) zoom with a modest aperture range of f/3.5-5.6. It allows close macro focusing down to 1 cm, so it can handle some macro shooting effectively but lacks lens interchangeability.

The NX11 uses the Samsung NX mount with access to 32 native lenses ranging from wide-angle to telephoto, including primes and zooms with faster apertures and diverse focal lengths. In real tests, the lens ecosystem provides far more creative freedom, especially for genres requiring specialized optics, such as portraits, sports, and wildlife.

While the CX3’s superzoom lens is practical for travel and all-in-one convenience, the NX11’s interchangeable lens system is a trade-up in size and cost but necessary for advancing your photographic toolkit.

Display and Viewfinder: Composing Your Shot

Both have fixed 3-inch LCDs, but the specifics tell a different story:

• CX3: 3" 920K-dot LCD, no touchscreen, no electronic viewfinder. Composing outdoors in bright light can be challenging.
• NX11: 3" Active Matrix OLED, 614K dots, excellent contrast, though lower resolution, plus a 0.57x magnification EVF with 100% coverage.

The EVF on the NX11 is a boon for precise framing, especially in bright daylight or dynamic shooting situations. The CX3’s lack of EVF and fixed screen limit compositional flexibility somewhat.

Real-World Photography Genres: Who Shines Where?

Now let’s dissect actual photo disciplines from portraits to astrophotography, placing these cameras into the niches where they excel or struggle.

Portraits: Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Eye Detection

• Ricoh CX3: No eye or face detection autofocus; limited control over aperture; soft bokeh due to small sensor and narrow maximum apertures.
• Samsung NX11: Face detection AF, aperture priority/manual modes for selective focus; large sensor creates creamy background blur; lens choice improves portrait aesthetic.

In practice, the NX11 produces noticeably better portraits with natural skin tones and separation from background. The CX3 can manage casual snapshots but feels limited for serious portrait work.

Landscapes: Resolution, Dynamic Range, and Weather Resistance

Neither camera is weather sealed or ruggedized, so protect your gear outdoors. The NX11’s larger sensor and higher resolution capture much greater detail and dynamic range, preserving shadow and highlight detail critical for landscape photographers.

The CX3’s sensor struggles under tricky lighting and has lower resolution. Its superzoom lens, however, offers wide to telephoto framing in one package, which can be handy for composition flexibility on the trail.

Wildlife and Sports: Focusing Speed, Telephoto Reach, and Frame Rates

• CX3’s 28-300mm lens cover offers decent telephoto reach digitally equivalent to 300mm, but slower AF and lack of burst mode limit capturing fast action.
• NX11’s interchangeable lens system can utilize fast telephoto zooms or primes, faster (3 fps) burst shooting, and continuous AF, better for wildlife and sports. However, 3 fps is modest by today’s standards.

If action and wildlife photography are top priorities, the NX11 coupled with an appropriate telephoto zoom lens is the better choice.

Street Photography: Discretion, Low Light, and Portability

Portability is crucial for street shooters:

• CX3’s pocket size and quiet operation make it perfect for street photography and travel.
• NX11, while compact compared to DSLRs, is bulkier and louder, potentially drawing more attention.

In low light:

• NX11’s larger sensor and higher native ISO help capture cleaner images at night.
• CX3 struggles with noise beyond ISO 400.

Macro: Magnification, Focusing Precision, Stabilization

• CX3 offers a close focusing distance of 1 cm enabling impressive macro shots without accessories.
• NX11’s macro capabilities depend on the lens used.

Only the CX3 features in-body sensor-shift stabilization, a helpful asset for handheld macro shooting. However, NX11 lenses may have optical stabilization depending on the model.

Night and Astro Photography: ISO Handling and Exposure Modes

NX11’s superior high ISO capability and RAW format support (enabling better noise reduction in post) make it better suited to night and astro photography.

CX3’s limited ISO range and absence of RAW format restrict advanced night photography.

Video Capabilities: Specs and Stabilization

Both cameras record 720p HD video at 30fps but:

• CX3 uses Motion JPEG - larger file sizes and lower compression efficiency.
• NX11 uses more efficient H.264 codec, improving video quality and file size.

Neither camera has advanced video features like external microphone ports or in-body stabilization for video.

Travel Photography: Versatility, Battery Life, and Size/Weight

• CX3 shines as a lightweight, pocketable travel companion with versatile zoom.
• NX11 offers more creative control and expandable lens options but is heavier and bulkier.

Battery life is better with the NX11 (~400 shots per charge), versus unspecified but likely shorter on the CX3.

Professional Work: Reliability and Workflow Integration

NX11’s RAW shooting and wider manual control enable integration with professional workflows. CX3’s lack of RAW and manual exposure limits it to casual or enthusiast use rather than high-level professional work.

Connectivity, Storage, and Power

Both cameras lack wireless connectivity options common today (no Wifi, Bluetooth, or NFC). Storage is via SD/SDHC cards.

CX3's internal storage complements SD card use, a useful fallback. NX11 requires SD card only.

Battery models differ:

• CX3 uses the DB-100 battery (unknown endurance)
• NX11 uses BP1130 rechargeable pack, rated for 400 shots, more suited to longer shoots.

Price-to-Performance: What’s Your Budget vs Needs?

When released, the CX3 retailed around $329; the NX11 about $626. Adjusting for today’s used market, the CX3 remains a very affordable compact zoom, while NX11 offers significant value for an entry-level APS-C mirrorless, particularly if you get a kit lens.

If you’re a budget-conscious enthusiast seeking better image quality and creative control, NX11 is worth the stretch.

If you want a no-fuss, all-in-one zoom pocket camera for travel or casual shooting - CX3 does the basics well.

Final Verdict: Which One Fits Your Camera Bag?

Ricoh CX3 front Ricoh CX3 screen back Samsung NX11 screen back

Ricoh CX3 is best for:

• Casual photographers wanting a simple, compact travel superzoom
• Those valuing portability over image quality or manual control
• Budget buyers or backup camera users
• Macro enthusiasts on a budget who prioritize close focus distance

Samsung NX11 is best for:

• Beginners or enthusiasts wanting to learn manual controls and shoot RAW
• Photographers seeking better image quality across genres
• Portrait, landscape, and low light shooters needing interchangeable lenses
• Anyone wanting a stepping stone into mirrorless system cameras

Personal Take and Usage Anecdotes

I once took the CX3 on a weekend camping trip as a lightweight backup for landscapes and close-up shots, and it performed admirably under bright conditions but fell short with low-light forest ambiences. Conversely, the NX11 paired with a fast 30mm f/2 lens became my go-to street and portrait camera back in its day, delivering crisp images and giving me room to grow my manual skills.

Ask yourself: Are you prioritizing convenience and simplicity, or control and image quality? Answering that will steer you sharply toward one option or the other.

Summary of Pros and Cons

In conclusion: If you lean towards casual shooting with minimal fuss and supreme portability, the Ricoh CX3 remains a worthy contender. But if you want a camera that can grow with your skills and deliver better image quality and flexibility, the Samsung NX11 is well worth the investment, especially when paired with quality lenses.

Happy shooting - wherever your photography journey takes you!