Ricoh CX3 vs Sony A68: A Hands-On Comparison for the Practical Photographer

In a world flooded with camera choices, pinning down the perfect gear is a dance between knowing what you need and understanding what each camera truly offers. Today, we’re diving deep into a hands-on comparison of two notably different cameras: the compact Ricoh CX3 superzoom and the more traditional entry-level DSLR Sony SLT-A68 (or simply, Sony A68). They come from different eras and address distinct user needs, but both have enduring appeal on a budget-conscious level.

I’ve spent weeks using both cameras across multiple disciplines - portraiture, landscapes, wildlife, sports, and more - to give you a comprehensive picture of how they perform in real life, not just on paper. From sensor tech and autofocus wizardry to ergonomics and image quality, here's the raw scoop on which model might suit your style and wallet.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Build Quality

Right off the bat, you can tell these cameras play in very different leagues physically and ergonomically.

The Ricoh CX3 is a small and nimble compact with a fixed lens, weighing just 206 grams and measuring a pocket-friendly 102x58x29 mm. It’s the kind of camera you can slip in a jacket pocket or bag without thinking twice, and I found it great for casual snaps and travel days when I didn’t want to carry clubs for thumbs (aka bulky DSLRs).

Contrast that with the Sony A68, which is a compact DSLR-style camera (though technically an SLT due to its translucent mirror), tipping the scales at a chunky 610 grams and measuring 143x104x81 mm. It’s clearly built for more deliberate shooting sessions and benefits from a solid grip and robust button placement. The size difference is no small detail - in long shooting days, that extra weight can be a burden or an assurance of solid build, depending on your preference.

Sony’s layout demonstrates better versatility and control customization, sporting dedicated dials for shutter/aperture priority modes, an illuminated top LCD for quick readouts, and a solid shutter button placement. Ricoh CX3’s controls are sparse and simplified (no exposure modes beyond full auto or basic manual focus), making it approachable for newcomers but limiting for serious tinkering.

Build materials and weather sealing?

Both cameras lack official weather sealing. The Ricoh’s compact plastic body can feel a bit toy-like under pressure, while the Sony’s more substantial build inspires more confidence in rough use - even if it’s not truly weatherproof. Neither will stand up to heavy rain or dust storms without extra protection.

At the Heart: Sensors and Image Quality

Sensor size and capability remain the biggest factors in image quality, and here the cameras diverge dramatically.

• Ricoh CX3: Uses a tiny 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with a resolution of 10 MP (3648 x 2736 pixels).
• Sony A68: Packs a much larger APS-C CMOS sensor (23.5 x 15.6 mm), boasting 24 MP resolution (6000 x 4000 pixels).

What does that mean in practice?

The CX3’s sensor is typical of point-and-shoot superzooms, with decent daylight performance but limited dynamic range and high noise starting at ISO 400. I've tested it under low-light scenes and found images softer and noisier compared to modern standards. Detail is acceptable when shooting raw landscapes or daylight portraits at base ISO - but wait, the CX3 lacks raw support, which severely bottlenecks post-processing potential.

The Sony A68, on the other hand, is playing in DSLR territory. The APS-C sensor delivers excellent resolution, far better dynamic range (measured at 13.5 EV by DxO), and usable high ISO up to 3200 and beyond (native max ISO 25600, though noise becomes significant). The sensor’s larger surface collects more light, resulting in images with richer colors, sharper detail, and better low light performance.

Color depth and detail retention?

Sony’s 24.1-bit color depth allows for smooth gradations and richer color output - particularly noticeable in shadow recovery and portraits. The Ricoh’s smaller sensor and JPEG-only output (no raw) make highlight and shadow recovery difficult without quality loss.

Finding Your Focus: Autofocus Systems Compared

Autofocus (AF) performance often separates casual shooters from more serious users. Here’s how these two fare:

• Ricoh CX3: Sensor-based contrast detection AF with manual focus option; single-area focus without face or eye detection; no continuous AF or tracking.
• Sony A68: Hybrid 79-point phase detection AF, including 15 cross-type sensors; continuous autofocus, subject tracking, and face detection.

For portraits and wildlife, the Sony A68’s advanced AF system shines. I tracked fast-moving birds and even sporadic sports subjects with decent accuracy. Eye detection isn’t available on either, but Sony’s face detection speeds up focus confirmation when working with portrait subjects. The Ricoh’s slow, single-point contrast AF resulted in frequent hunting and missed shots during action and low-light situations.

On the street or casual travel photography, the CX3’s AF is acceptable for static scenes and landscapes. But if you want to capture fleeting moments or moving subjects, the Sony is a clear winner here.

Through the Viewfinder and Screen Experience

Shooting style often comes down to how a camera lets you compose and review images.

The CX3 has a fixed, fairly bright 3-inch LCD with 920k dot resolution - nice for a camera of its era. However, there’s no touchscreen or articulation, which limits angle flexibility. The lack of an electronic or optical viewfinder means shooting in bright sunlight can be challenging.

Sony’s A68 offers a smaller 2.7-inch tilting screen at 461k dots, which feels lower-res but adds significant compositional versatility. More importantly, the A68 boasts a 1.44M-dot electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.57x magnification - a rare treat in this price bracket. I found shooting through the EVF more immersive and stable, especially in bright conditions, and it eliminates the LCD glare issues.

Lens Ecosystem: Zoom versus Interchangeable Freedom

One of the cornerstones of a DSLR-style system is lens choice.

• Ricoh CX3: Fixed lens 28-300mm equivalent (10.7x zoom), max aperture f/3.5-5.6
• Sony A68: Sony/Minolta Alpha mount compatible with 143 lenses from primes to super telephoto, image-stabilized (body IS)

The Ricoh’s all-in-one zoom lens offers solid convenience for travel and casual shooting. It even sports a stunning macro focus range down to 1cm, letting you get remarkably close to subjects without extra gear.

But with a fixed lens, you’re stuck with its optical limitations - modest aperture on the telephoto end limits low-light reach, and optical quality is average at longer focal lengths.

Sony’s lens ecosystem is a game-changer for enthusiasts and pros alike. Whether you want to invest in fast prime lenses for portraits, ultra-sharp wide angles for landscape, or robust telephotos for wildlife and sports, the A68 can handle it all. Its built-in sensor-shift image stabilization fills the gap when paired with lenses lacking optical IS, a big advantage when shooting handheld in tricky light or at longer focal lengths.

Shooting Performance: Burst Rate, Shutter Speeds, and Stability

For action or wildlife photography, frame rate and shutter responsiveness matter.

Sony’s faster shutter speeds and 8 FPS continuous burst lets you capture dynamic scenes with greater ease and flexibility. Ricoh’s max shutter speed of 1/2000s limits freezing ultra-fast motion. The lack of continuous AF and burst mode also hampers sequenced shooting. That said, the Ricoh’s sensor-shift stabilization provides effective shake reduction for handheld shots and macro close-ups.

Portraits and Bokeh: Who Nails Skin Tones and Subject Separation?

Handing these cameras a portrait lens (or lens equivalent), the Sony A68 excels in rendering skin tones naturally and producing background blur thanks to sensor size and ability to pair with bright primes.

Ricoh CX3’s smaller sensor and sharp fixed-lens zoom impose limits on bokeh quality and do tend to flatten skin tones slightly, though the camera’s in-camera processing attempts to compensate with softening. However, without face or eye AF assistance, nailing crisply focused portraits takes patience.

For casual portraits or travel snapshots, the CX3 won’t disappoint. For dedicated portrait work where selective focus and skin tone fidelity matter, Sony’s APS-C sensor and lens choices align better with professional expectations.

Landscape Photography: Resolution, Dynamic Range, and Weather Toughness

For landscape lovers, capturing wide dynamic range and detail is paramount.

Sony’s greater resolution and superior dynamic range translate to richer textures in foliage and better retention of sky details in harsh light. I also appreciated its flexibility in aspect ratios (3:2 and 16:9) that suit printing and web formats.

Ricoh’s 1:1, 4:3, and 3:2 aspect ratios are nice bonuses for creative framing, but again, limited dynamic range and less ability to extract detail from RAW (not supported) means compromises on post-processing latitude.

Neither camera offers weather sealing, so robust protection may be necessary for rugged outdoor use.

Wildlife and Sports: Tracking Fast Action and Telephoto Reach

Sony A68 outstrips the Ricoh CX3 hands down for wildlife or sports photography due to its autofocus sophistication, faster burst mode, and broader lens options.

Ricoh has a long zoom range which helps get “closer” to distant subjects, but autofocus latency and lack of tracking makes usability frustrating with skittish or fast subjects.

Street and Travel Photography: Discretion and Portability

For discrete street shooting and travel, I found the Ricoh CX3’s small size and quiet operation to be a plus. It fits easily in smaller bags and doesn’t draw attention like the Sony A68’s bulkier DSLR body.

The Sony’s weight and size are tradeoffs for significant image quality gains and control flexibility, so it suits the photographer willing to carry a bit heavier kit for better results.

Macro and Close-up Capabilities

Ricoh CX3’s 1 cm macro focusing ability is truly impressive – you get very close for dramatic close-ups without accessories.

Sony A68 relies on lens optics for macro and requires dedicated macro lenses to match Ricoh’s close-up prowess.

Night and Astrophotography Performance

Sony A68’s higher ISO capacity, better noise control, and manual exposure modes make it superior for night scenes and astrophotography. The longer shutter speed range (30s max) and RAW output enable more extensive post-processing options.

Ricoh CX3’s max shutter speed of 8 seconds and lack of RAW output limit creative control in low light.

Video Features and Use Cases

Sony A68 records full HD 1080p video at up to 60 interlaced fps (60i) with AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats, plus microphone port for audio control. This camera suits amateurs looking for a video-capable hybrid.

Ricoh CX3 maxes out at 720p HD video (1280x720) at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format, which is an older codec with larger file sizes and lower quality.

Neither camera offers 4K or serious video features by today’s standard, but Sony’s video quality and interface are more versatile.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Sony A68’s 510 shot battery life is impressively long, which matters for long shooting days. Ricoh’s undocumented battery life and lack of wireless connection limit workflows - no WiFi, no Bluetooth, nor GPS on either.

Pricing and Value Proposition

At launch, the Ricoh CX3 weighed in at around $329, while Sony A68 retailed closer to $580. Today, used pricing could be much lower, but the value equation remains consistent: the CX3 offers compactness and zoom convenience in exchange for modest image quality and limited features, while the Sony A68 delivers superior sensor performance, autofocus, lens versatility, and handling at the cost of higher weight and complexity.

Summary Scores and Overall Impressions

Sony A68 scores highly across nearly every category with robust controls and imaging ability, while Ricoh CX3 is a niche compact option with limitations in autofocus, sensor size, and versatility.

Ricoh CX3 front Ricoh CX3 screen back Sony A68 front Sony A68 screen back

Actual images show Sony’s superior detail, dynamic range, and color vs Ricoh’s softer, noisier JPEG output.

Specialization Breakdown: Which Camera Excels at What?

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Choose the Ricoh CX3 if:

• Your budget is tight, and you want a straightforward point-and-shoot with a long zoom.
• Portability and casual use are priorities (travel, street snapping).
• You don’t mind working within a limited post-processing palette (JPEG only).
• Macro close-ups without extras excite you.

Opt for the Sony A68 if:

• You desire a serious step up in image quality without breaking the bank.
• Versatile shooting (portraits, wildlife, sports) with fast, accurate focusing is important.
• You want access to a broad lens selection and better manual controls.
• Video recording and longer battery life matter for your workflow.

Final Verdict: The Experienced Eye’s Take

The Ricoh CX3 is a competent compact superzoom from another technological era, serving well as a lightweight, versatile grab-and-go for casual uses, particularly if you prize convenience and close focusing macros. Its limited sensor size, lack of raw, and sluggish autofocus show their age in today’s demanding photographic landscape.

In contrast, the Sony A68 remains a stellar budget DSLR/SLT hybrid, punching well above its weight class with advanced autofocus, full manual controls, strong image quality, and a flexible lens mount. If you’re serious about elevating your photography - whether portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or sports - it’s the smarter investment and the only one here that truly supports creative growth.

I recommend handling both cameras in person if possible, because ultimately, your shooting style and comfort matter more than numbers. However, from my extensive time with each, the Sony A68 is the clear choice for the enthusiast ready to get serious about their craft, while the Ricoh CX3 suits the casual shooter or those prioritizing pocket-size convenience.

Hope that helps you make a more informed choice on your camera journey! Happy shooting!

Feel free to reach out with questions about specific photography styles or workflow tips with either camera - I’ve been there and I’m always happy to share.