Ricoh CX3 vs Sony A550
92 Imaging
33 Features
35 Overall
33


63 Imaging
53 Features
65 Overall
57
Ricoh CX3 vs Sony A550 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
- 206g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
- Released June 2010
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Launched December 2009
- Older Model is Sony A100

Ricoh CX3 vs Sony A550 Overview
Below, we will be matching up the Ricoh CX3 vs Sony A550, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Ricoh and Sony. There is a significant difference between the resolutions of the CX3 (10MP) and A550 (14MP) and the CX3 (1/2.3") and A550 (APS-C) feature different sensor measurements.

The CX3 was brought out 7 months later than the A550 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Ricoh CX3 being a Compact camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the CX3 matches up versus the A550 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Ricoh CX3 vs Sony A550 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Ricoh CX3 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A550. The entire galleries are viewable at Ricoh CX3 Gallery and Sony A550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Ricoh CX3 over the Sony A550
CX3 | A550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | June 2010 | ![]() | December 2009 | Fresher by 7 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Ricoh CX3
A550 | CX3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 920k | Clearer screen (+2k dot) |
Common features in the Ricoh CX3 and Sony A550
CX3 | A550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch screen |
Ricoh CX3 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is looking to carry your camera, you are going to need to think about its weight and proportions. The Ricoh CX3 provides physical dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst 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).
Examine the Ricoh CX3 vs Sony A550 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the CX3 and the A550.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the CX3 and A550 is 92 and 63 respectively.

Ricoh CX3 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it's tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizing only by reviewing technical specs. The graphic underneath will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the CX3 and A550.
As you have seen, both of the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The CX3 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Sony A550 will offer you greater detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more modern CX3 provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Ricoh CX3 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh CX3 vs Sony A550 Specifications
Ricoh CX3 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Ricoh | Sony |
Model | Ricoh CX3 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level DSLR |
Released | 2010-06-16 | 2009-12-09 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Smooth Imaging Engine IV | Bionz |
Sensor type | BSI-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 | 10 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4592 x 3056 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 200 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens focal range | 28-300mm (10.7x) | - |
Maximum aperture | f/3.5-5.6 | - |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | - |
Available lenses | - | 143 |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 920k dots | 922k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 8s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting rate | - | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 4.00 m | 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 |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | - | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | - |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | None |
Video format | Motion JPEG | - |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
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 | 206 gr (0.45 pounds) | 632 gr (1.39 pounds) |
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 All around score | not tested | 66 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 21.9 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 11.8 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 807 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 480 photographs |
Battery type | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | DB-100 | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2, 10 or Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Cost at launch | $329 | $749 |