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Ricoh CX3 vs Sony A550

Portability
92
Imaging
33
Features
35
Overall
33
Ricoh CX3 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
53
Features
65
Overall
57

Ricoh CX3 vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Ricoh CX3
(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
Sony A550
(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
Photography Glossary

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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh CX3 over the Sony A550

 CX3 A550 
LaunchedJune 2010December 2009Fresher by 7 months

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Ricoh CX3

 A550 CX3 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution922k920kClearer screen (+2k dot)

Common features in the Ricoh CX3 and Sony A550

 CX3 A550 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen dimension3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Ricoh CX3 vs Sony A550 size comparison

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

Ricoh CX3 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Ricoh CX3 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh CX3 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh CX3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A550 as a Portrait photography camera
26
manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
71
manual focus
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Ricoh CX3 Street photography highlights
Sony A550 Street photography highlights
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (206 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
74
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh CX3 Sports photography info
Sony A550 Sports photography info
26
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
not so great battery (480 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh CX3 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A550 as a Travel photography camera
66
lighter than competitors (206g)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
great reach (300mm)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
51
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery (480 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh CX3 Landscape photography information
Sony A550 Landscape photography information
42
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
66
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
not so great battery (480 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Ricoh CX3
Vlogging with Sony A550
30
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (206 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic socket
9
can't record video
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Ricoh CX3 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh CX3 and Sony A550
 Ricoh CX3Sony 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