Ricoh CX3 vs Sony A9
92 Imaging
33 Features
35 Overall
33


65 Imaging
73 Features
93 Overall
81
Ricoh CX3 vs Sony A9 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
- 206g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
- Announced June 2010
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Sony E Mount
- 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
- Launched April 2017
- Later Model is Sony A9 II

Ricoh CX3 vs Sony A9 Overview
Let's look closer at the Ricoh CX3 versus Sony A9, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Ricoh and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the CX3 (10MP) and A9 (24MP) and the CX3 (1/2.3") and A9 (Full frame) offer different sensor sizing.

The CX3 was revealed 7 years before the A9 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Ricoh CX3 being a Compact camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the CX3 scores vs the A9 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Ricoh CX3 vs Sony A9 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Ricoh CX3 and Sony Alpha A9. The full galleries are viewable at Ricoh CX3 Gallery and Sony A9 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Ricoh CX3 over the Sony A9
CX3 | A9 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Ricoh CX3
A9 | CX3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | April 2017 | ![]() | June 2010 | More recent by 83 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 1440k | ![]() | 920k | Sharper screen (+520k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Ricoh CX3 and Sony A9
CX3 | A9 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen |
Ricoh CX3 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and measurements. The Ricoh CX3 enjoys exterior measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Sony A9 has proportions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") with a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).
See the Ricoh CX3 versus Sony A9 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at the time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the CX3 compared to the A9.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the CX3 and A9 is 92 and 65 respectively.

Ricoh CX3 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it can be difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements just by looking at technical specs. The graphic below should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the CX3 and A9.
As you have seen, both cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The CX3 with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field trickier and the Sony A9 will give more detail because of its extra 14MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs way more aggressively. The older CX3 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Ricoh CX3 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh CX3 vs Sony A9 Specifications
Ricoh CX3 | Sony Alpha A9 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Ricoh | Sony |
Model | Ricoh CX3 | Sony Alpha A9 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Pro Mirrorless |
Announced | 2010-06-16 | 2017-04-19 |
Physical type | Compact | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Smooth Imaging Engine IV | BIONZ X |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | Full frame |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 35.6 x 23.8mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 847.3mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 24 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 6000 x 4000 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 51200 |
Highest enhanced ISO | - | 204800 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Min enhanced ISO | - | 50 |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 693 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | Sony E |
Lens focal range | 28-300mm (10.7x) | - |
Maximal aperture | f/3.5-5.6 | - |
Macro focus range | 1cm | - |
Number of lenses | - | 121 |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 920k dots | 1,440k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 3,686k dots |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.78x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Fastest quiet shutter speed | - | 1/32000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 20.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 4.00 m | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | - |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 3840x2160 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 206g (0.45 pounds) | 673g (1.48 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 92 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 24.9 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 13.3 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 3517 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 650 shots |
Style of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | DB-100 | NP-FZ100 |
Self timer | Yes (2, 10 or Custom) | Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card, Internal | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) |
Card slots | Single | 2 |
Pricing at release | $329 | $4,498 |