Ricoh CX3 vs Sony A65

Here is a thorough assessment of the Ricoh CX3 versus Sony A65, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Ricoh and Sony. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the CX3 (10MP) and A65 (24MP) and the CX3 (1/2.3") and A65 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The CX3 was announced 17 months prior to the A65 making them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Ricoh CX3 being a Compact camera and the Sony A65 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief view of how the CX3 grades vs the A65 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Ricoh CX3 and Sony SLT-A65. The whole galleries are viewable at Ricoh CX3 Gallery and Sony A65 Gallery.

For those who are going to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Ricoh CX3 provides exterior measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Sony A65 has dimensions of 132mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 622 grams (1.37 lbs).

Look at the Ricoh CX3 versus Sony A65 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the CX3 versus the A65.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the CX3 and A65 is 92 and 64 respectively.

Generally, its hard to see the difference between sensor sizing simply by looking at specs. The graphic underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the CX3 and A65.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The CX3 using its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony A65 will give you more detail with its extra 14 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images a good deal more aggressively. The older CX3 is going to be behind in sensor technology.