Two Roads Diverged: A Hands-On Comparison of the Ricoh CX3 and Sony NEX-6

When researching a camera, we often face the classic dilemma: compact convenience versus advanced flexibility. The Ricoh CX3 and Sony NEX-6 represent two very different strategies in digital imaging from slightly different eras and market niches. The CX3, launched in 2010, is a small-sensor superzoom pocket camera designed for casual versatility. The NEX-6, rolled out in 2013, is a more advanced mirrorless with interchangeable lenses aimed at enthusiasts and semi-pros.

Having spent years testing a wide gamut of cameras, I found this pairing fascinating because it illustrates how sensor tech, lens systems, ergonomics, and focusing approaches can change the photography game. In this comparative review I share insights born from hands-on use, benchmark testing, and everyday shooting scenarios that truly matter for photographers across disciplines and experience levels.

Let’s dive in.

First Impressions: Size, Feel, and Handling

Physically, these cameras couldn’t be more different. The Ricoh CX3 is pocketable, measuring a trim 102x58x29 mm and weighing just 206 grams. It’s built as a compact unit with a fixed lens and a straightforward control layout aimed at grab-and-go convenience. The Sony NEX-6, by contrast, is a significantly larger rangefinder-style mirrorless camera at 120x67x43 mm and 345 grams, partly due to its APS-C sensor and interchangeable lens mount.

I set them side by side for a clear size-and-ergonomics comparison:

The CX3 is genuinely pocket-friendly - slip it in your jacket or pants easily, making it ideal for street shooters and travelers who prize light weight and discretion. Ergonomically, Ricoh’s design is simple; the lack of protruding dials or grip can feel a bit insubstantial, especially in colder weather where dexterity suffers.

Sitting heftier and more solid in hand, the NEX-6’s grip and button layout exude a more serious photographic feel. Its heft lets you hold it steadier for longer sessions, and the sizeable thumb rest enhances one-handed operation without strain.

The top view comparison also illustrates this functional divergence clearly:

Sony’s model sports dedicated dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation, plus a mode dial and more versatile controls - fine for advanced users who want quick manual settings access. The CX3 lacks these controls, basically operating as a point-and-shoot with zoom and flash toggles.

Ergonomic Verdict: CX3 is ideal for minimalists and opportunistic photography; NEX-6 better suits those who demand tactile control and sturdier build for extended shooting.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of a Camera

The most fundamental distinction is the sensor size and technology. The Ricoh CX3 employs a 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 6.17x4.55 mm, packing 10 megapixels. The Sony NEX-6 is equipped with a much larger APS-C CMOS sensor (23.5x15.6 mm) with 16 megapixels, boasting higher native ISO ranges and superior dynamic range.

Seeing the sensor footprint difference illustrates why their image performance diverges so markedly:

Practically, this means:

• Dynamic Range: Sony’s APS-C sensor provides a wider dynamic range, capturing both highlights and shadows with more detail - a boon for landscapes and challenging lighting.
• Low-Light Performance: NEX-6 excels at high ISO shooting (native ISO up to 25600) whereas CX3 maxes out at ISO 3200, and its small sensor inherently introduces more noise in dim scenarios.
• Resolution: The NEX-6’s 16 MP offers larger images for cropping without notable quality loss, versus the CX3’s 10 MP which is more modest and best for casual prints/web.
• Color Depth and Tonality: The NEX-6's sensor coupled with its Bionz processor delivers a richer color gamut, more faithful skin tones, and gradations, especially visible in RAW outputs (Sony supports RAW, Ricoh does not).

To see these differences in practice, I shot the same scenes with both cameras, from portraits to landscapes, and here’s a representative gallery displaying their JPG outputs:

Ricoh CX3 front Ricoh CX3 screen back Sony NEX 6 front Sony NEX 6 screen back

Notice the Sony files hold more highlight detail and less chroma noise at ISO 1600. Ricoh’s JPGs are fine for social sharing but exhibit early saturation clipping and softer details.

Image Quality Verdict: The NEX-6 is clearly the more capable image maker, especially if image quality and editing flexibility are priorities.

Autofocus Systems: Precision and Speed in the Real World

Autofocus performance can make or break a shoot, especially in wildlife, sports, or event photography. Let’s compare these cameras’ AF credentials based on real shooting.

• Ricoh CX3: Features contrast-detection autofocus only, with no face detection, continuous AF, or tracking. Focus is selectable across multi area, but there are no dedicated AF points or animal eye AF. Single AF mode is the norm.

• Sony NEX-6: Employs a hybrid AF system mixing phase-detection and contrast detection, with 99 focus points and face detection. Continuous AF tracking is supported, aiding moving subjects; selective AF points can be manually chosen.

In practical test shoots - particularly in low light and bursts - the CX3 struggled to maintain focus lock when subjects moved or the lighting dimmed. Its AF was adequate for still scenes, macro, and controlled-light portraits, but felt sluggish otherwise.

The NEX-6, meanwhile, tracked moving children and running dogs with good accuracy at 10 fps burst. It’s not a pro-level sports AF but outperforms many mirrorless contemporaries. Face detection improved portrait focus hit rates, especially for eyes - a welcomed feature for event shooters.

Autofocus Verdict: NEX-6 is more versatile and reliable for varied shooting conditions. The CX3 has limited AF capabilities and is best suited for static or slower subjects.

Lens Ecosystem and Optics Flexibility

We often overlook how critical the lens supply is. Fixed-lens cameras are constrained, while interchangeable lens systems open myriad creative avenues.

The Ricoh CX3 sports a fixed 28-300 mm (35mm equivalent) zoom with an aperture range of f/3.5-5.6. Its zoom range of 10.7x is impressive for a compact but compromised by aperture and fixed optics typical of superzooms. Macro focus down to 1 cm is surprisingly good for close-ups. Optical image stabilization is sensor-shift based, aiding hand-held shooting.

Sony NEX-6 mounts Sony E lenses, a prodigious system with over 120 lens options at launch and many more today from Sony and third parties. From ultra-fast primes to telephotos, macros to fisheyes, the flexibility is huge.

This difference plays out particularly in:

• Portraiture: The NEX-6 can leverage bright f/1.8 or f/1.4 primes to achieve creamy bokeh and precise focus fall-off for flattering skin rendering; the CX3’s small sensor and smaller aperture lenses struggle here.

• Wildlife and Sports: The NEX-6 can utilize long telephoto lenses with wide apertures, while CX3’s fixed lens maximum focal length limits reach and speed.

• Macro: CX3’s close focusing distance is notable, but the NEX-6 combined with dedicated macro lenses delivers superior resolution and focusing accuracy.

No lens zoom flexibility or upgrades possible on the Ricoh, versus Sony’s expandable ecosystem. The lens mount alone is a game-changer.

Lens Ecosystem Verdict: Sony NEX-6 wins hands-down for creative and technical potential via its extensive and high-quality lens options.

Viewing and User Interface: How You See and Control Your Shot

Image composition and menu navigation should feel seamless and intuitive.

The CX3 features a fixed 3-inch LCD with 920k dots but no touch or tilt function, and no viewfinder.

Sony NEX-6 has a 3-inch tilt-up/down LCD with 921k dots and a sharp electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2.35 million dots, 100% coverage, and 0.73x magnification.

A side-by-side view of the displays brings these differences to life:

Shooting on the CX3’s fixed screen under bright sunlight can be tricky as reflections cause glare. Without a viewfinder, composing shots to avoid camera shake is less controlled.

The NEX-6’s EVF is a key advantage: it provides a stable, eye-level framing experience akin to DSLRs, essential in bright outdoor settings. The tilting LCD also assists creative angles and quick framing.

Sony’s interface is user-friendly, with logical menus, customizable buttons, and quick exposure compensation dials, suiting advanced shooters. Ricoh’s interface is simplified but less customizable, reinforcing its point-and-shoot character.

Interface Verdict: NEX-6’s viewfinder and flexible interface override the CX3’s minimal design for serious compositional control.

Speed and Performance in Continuous Shooting

Burst shooting is crucial when timing is everything - sports, wildlife, or fleeting expressions.

The CX3 does not specify continuous shooting frame rate and lacks continuous AF support; it’s clearly not designed for rapid capture.

Sony NEX-6 supports up to 10 fps continuous shooting with continuous AF, which is quite impressive for its class and era.

In field tests photographing a soccer game and a busy park, the CX3 lagged with slow buffer clearing and missed several key moments. The NEX-6 captured fast action sequences with good AF tracking, enabling culling for best shots.

Performance Verdict: For action photography, the Sony is far superior; the Ricoh is best regarded as a casual point-and-shoot.

Video Capabilities: Not Just Still Photography Anymore

Video on the CX3 is limited to 720p HD at 30 fps, using Motion JPEG format, and without external mic input or stabilization beyond sensor-shift.

Sony offers full HD 1080p at 60 and 24 fps, AVCHD and MPEG-4 encoding, and HDMI output. No microphone jack or headphone monitoring on either. The NEX-6 suits hybrid shooters looking for crisp Full HD video, whereas the CX3 is basic at best.

Image stabilization on the Ricoh is a plus for handheld video, but limited resolution and codec constrain final image quality.

Video Verdict: For video, the NEX-6 provides versatile, higher-quality footage, more frame rate options, and better codec choices.

Environmental Durability and Battery Life

Neither camera has weather sealing or rugged build specs.

Battery endurance differs:

• Ricoh CX3 specs are unspecified but generally compact cameras of this era yield around 250 shots per charge.
• Sony NEX-6 rated for approximately 360 shots per charge, enhanced by larger battery and better power management.

Storage support favors the Sony offering SD, SDHC, SDXC plus Sony Memory Stick compatibility, whereas Ricoh supports only SD/SDHC cards.

Durability and Battery Verdict: Neither is tough-weather rated, but Sony offers longer battery life and greater storage flexibility for extensive shooting sessions.

Pricing and Value: What Does Each Offer for Your Investment?

At launch and still in secondhand markets, the Ricoh CX3 hovers around $330, while the Sony NEX-6 averages $365 or more, depending on kit lens inclusion.

You pay a bit more for the Sony’s larger sensor, lens flexibility, higher specs, and image quality.

For the casual photographer or traveler seeking simple point-and-shoot superzoom functionality without extra lenses or complexity, the CX3 is a cost-effective option.

For enthusiasts or professionals needing advanced control, dynamic range, or creative latitude, the NEX-6's slightly higher cost is well justified.

How They Stack Up Overall

Summarizing the core metrics helps clarify the choice.

And drilling down further by photographic genre:

• Portraits: Sony NEX-6 wins easily: better skin tone rendition, eye-detection AF, and bright lens options.
• Landscapes: NEX-6’s dynamic range and resolution put it head and shoulders above the CX3.
• Wildlife/Sports: CX3’s fixed zoom can’t keep pace with fast autofocus and burst shooting of NEX-6.
• Street: CX3 shines with discreet size but at cost of speed and quality.
• Macro: CX3 surprisingly decent for close-ups, but NEX-6 with macro lens wins overall.
• Night/Astro: Larger sensor and superior ISO handling of NEX-6 essential; CX3 noise levels rise quickly.
• Video: NEX-6 is the clear choice for HD video production.
• Travel: CX3’s portability versus NEX-6’s versatility; depends on priority.
• Professional Work: NEX-6’s RAW support, lens ecosystem, and controls make it far more capable.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

This camera comparison is a testament to how design goals shape product identity.

If you want a simple, pocketable superzoom camera for casual shooting and travel, the Ricoh CX3 offers a compelling choice - fast zoom, decent stabilization, and user-friendly operation. It’s a trustworthy companion for snapshots, a relaxed urban walk, or macro close-ups without fuss.

If image quality, creative control, and system expandability are more your speed, then the Sony NEX-6 mirrorless is a far stronger performer. Its APS-C sensor, hybrid autofocus, electronic viewfinder, and robust lens selection suit enthusiasts aiming for portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, and semi-pro video.

With a price difference in practice that is not huge, the choice largely hinges on priorities:

• Choose the Ricoh CX3 if portability and budget simplicity trump ultimate image quality and flexibility.
• Choose the Sony NEX-6 if you want a modern, versatile hybrid capable of serious creative photography and video, with room to grow.

In either case, understanding their respective strengths and limitations empowers you to pick the camera that truly fits your photographic journey.

Happy shooting!

Note: All opinions reflect exhaustive hands-on testing and critical evaluation representative of field conditions photographers encounter daily.