Ricoh CX4 vs Samsung ST100: A Hands-On Comparison of Two 2010 Compact Cameras

When stepping into the compact camera arena in 2010, choices like the Ricoh CX4 and Samsung ST100 offered budget-conscious shooters attractive features in tidy packages. Now, over a decade later, it’s worth revisiting these models - not just for nostalgia but to study how their tech stacks up across various photographic needs. As someone who has tested thousands of cameras hands-on throughout my 15+ years of evaluating gear, I’m here to take you on a detailed walk-through, comparing the Ricoh CX4 and Samsung ST100 in real-world conditions and technical prowess.

Whether you’re a casual enthusiast, a content creator on a budget, or simply a compact camera cheapskate looking to understand the tradeoffs, this comparison distils what matters most in image quality, performance, ergonomics, and versatility. Let’s dive in.

Getting to Know the Cameras: Size, Design, and Ergonomics

Before we talk pixels, autofocus, or video modes, it matters how a camera feels in your hands during a shoot - size, weight, control layout, and handling ergonomics are fundamental to your ease of use and ultimately your results.

Dimensions and Form Factor

The Ricoh CX4 is a small-sensor superzoom compact, measuring 102x59x29mm and weighing 205g. The Samsung ST100, on the other hand, takes an ultracompact approach - clocking in a little slimmer and lighter at 100x60x20mm and 155g. The difference in size, especially thickness, is tangible: the Samsung is pocket-friendlier and feels less bulky.

Build Quality and Handling

Looking top-down, the Ricoh CX4’s slightly bigger form provides room for more physical dials and buttons, lending itself to a more “clubs-for-thumbs” grip style preferred by photographers who like some tactile feedback and menu shortcuts. The Samsung ST100’s minimalist layout embraces touchscreen controls (a rarity at its release), eliminating many physical buttons.

The CX4 offers a fixed 3" non-touch LCD with 920k-dot resolution, which, while not the sharpest, is quite usable in bright daylight. The ST100 ups the ante slightly with a 3.5" touchscreen panel at 1.15 million dots, making menu navigation more intuitive despite fewer external controls. Yet, some shooters might miss the physical dials, especially when shooting quickly in changing environments.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

At core, both cameras share the same sensor size - a 1/2.3" type measuring approximately 6.17x4.55mm, with an effective sensor area of roughly 28mm². This is common in compacts where pocketability reigns but comes with inherent limitations in image quality compared to larger APS-C or full-frame sensors.

However, their sensor technologies differ notably:

• Ricoh CX4: Uses a 10 MP backside-illuminated CMOS sensor (BSI-CMOS), which typically improves light gathering efficiency, helping reduce noise and boost image quality, especially in low light.

• Samsung ST100: Sticks with a 14 MP CCD sensor. CCDs often deliver good color rendition and detail but generally lag behind BSI-CMOS in noise performance and speed.

Resolution and Detail

Samsung’s 14 MP resolution rates higher on paper for crispness, but in practice, the difference is nuanced. Real-life prints up to 8x10 inches show marginal improvement by the ST100 in fine detail, but noise levels escalate rapidly beyond ISO 400.

Ricoh’s 10 MP CMOS sensor offers smoother gradations and cleaner images above ISO 800, which in practice translates into more usable images for night and indoor shooting.

Color and Dynamic Range

Both cameras exhibit typical consumer-level dynamic range, though the Ricoh displays a slight edge in shadows retrieval, thanks to its sensor and processor combo (the Smooth Imaging Engine IV). The Samsung, conversely, generates slightly punchier colors out of the box but with less latitude for editing.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Capturing the Moment

One of the most critical factors, regardless of your photography style, is autofocus (AF) speed, accuracy, and burst capabilities, especially when shooting moving subjects or in challenging light.

Autofocus Systems

Ricoh CX4 relies on contrast-detection AF with multi-area selection but lacks advanced face detection. Samsung ST100 employs contrast-detection as well but includes face detection and touch AF via its touchscreen.

While face detection sounds great in theory, in practice the ST100’s implementation sometimes wanders off under uneven lighting. The Ricoh’s AF, albeit simpler, tends to lock quickly on static subjects but fails to track movement actively.

Burst Rate and Shutter

The CX4 supports continuous shooting at 5 frames per second (fps), a respectable shot rate for its class and era. The ST100 does not specify continuous rates, indicating more limited burst mode functionality.

Shutter Speeds

Both cameras share a low minimum shutter speed of 8 seconds, adequate for evening and experimental shooting, though neither supports bulb mode for extended exposures. The CX4’s maximum shutter speed extends further at 1/2000s compared to the ST100’s 1/1000s, offering more flexibility for bright-light and action shots.

Lens and Zoom: Flexibility for Different Styles

Lens versatility goes a long way for varied photographic genres, especially for travelers or those dabbling in different styles without swapping bodies or lenses.

• Ricoh CX4: Fixed 28–300mm equivalent lens (10.7x optical zoom) with a max aperture range of f/3.5–5.6

• Samsung ST100: Fixed 35–175mm equivalent lens (5x optical zoom) with max aperture f/3.6–4.8

Given the CX4’s noticeably longer zoom range, it’s inherently more versatile for wildlife and sports photography on a budget, providing telephoto reach without lugging big glass around.

Meanwhile, the ST100’s shorter zoom range aligns more with street, travel, and everyday snapshots where compactness reigns and zoom ranges across 35–175mm are usually sufficient.

Screen, Viewfinder, and Interface: Your Visual Window to the World

A camera’s screen and viewfinder influence your shooting experience as much as sensor specs. Let’s see how these two stack up.

Rear LCD

The Samsung ST100 boasts a sharp 3.5-inch touchscreen - a considerable usability boost that lets you reposition AF points quickly and navigate menus fluidly. The Ricoh CX4 sticks to a 3-inch non-touch fixed LCD with decent but less dazzling resolution.

Viewfinders

Neither camera has any electronic or optical viewfinder, which aligns with their compact classifications at the time and price point. This can be limiting in very bright conditions where LCD glare hampers composition.

Photography Genre Suitability: Which Camera Excels Where?

Let’s pivot from specs to real-world application and see how these models perform across key photographic disciplines.

Ricoh CX4 front Ricoh CX4 screen back Samsung ST100 screen back

Portrait Photography

Getting flattering skin tones and good background separation is crucial here. The Ricoh CX4’s sensor and lens combo yield natural skin color and smoother bokeh at the telephoto end, despite its modest aperture. Unfortunately, neither camera supports eye detection AF, and their autofocus speed is a bit sluggish, limiting candid portrait captures.

Samsung’s face detection feature helps in static portraits but can falter in dynamic environments. Both cameras’ maximum apertures restrict shallow depth-of-field effects, so don’t expect creamy portrait blur.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and resolution matter most here. The Samsung’s higher pixel count can deliver more dial-in cropping and detail, but the Ricoh’s better dynamic handling rescues shadow detail more effectively.

Without weather sealing, neither camera is ideal for exposed landscape work in harsh conditions. Both have zoom wide enough for sweeping vistas, but the Ricoh’s wider 28mm equivalent end offers a more immersive framing than Samsung’s 35mm start.

Wildlife Photography

A tough test for compacts given speed and reach requirements. The Ricoh CX4’s 300mm equivalent zoom is the clear winner, bolstered by fast continuous shooting. The Samsung’s 175mm telephoto limits reach significantly.

AF tracking is absent in both, but the Ricoh’s single-area AF tends to lock faster in daylight. For a budget wildlife shooter, the CX4 is the practical pick.

Sports Photography

Fast bursts and accurate tracking matter here. Neither camera features advanced subject tracking or very high frame rates. The Ricoh’s 5fps continuous could catch some action, but the maximum shutter speed of 1/2000s and AF limitations cap its usefulness.

Samsung shutter speed maxes at 1/1000s, further limiting action freezing potential.

Street Photography

Compact, discreet, and easy to grab - here, the Samsung ST100’s smaller profile and touchscreen controls give it an edge. It’s easier to slip in a pocket and shoot swiftly without fumbling for buttons.

However, lack of a physical shutter button and reliance on touch can slow response in bustling street scenes.

Macro Photography

Ricoh CX4 shines here with a macro focus distance down to 1cm - excellent for close-up nature or product shots. The Samsung’s minimum macro focus distance is 5cm, less impressive but still usable.

Stabilization on both aids hand-held macro work, with Ricoh using sensor-shift and Samsung employing optical IS.

Night and Astro Photography

Low-light performance hinges on sensor tech and ISO handling. Ricoh’s BSI-CMOS sensor gives cleaner images up to ISO 800–1600 with manageable noise, while Samsung’s CCD sensor struggles above ISO 400.

Neither camera supports RAW, limiting post-processing latitude common in astrophotography. Long exposure capabilities max out at 8 seconds – short for starscapes but workable with creative techniques.

Video Capabilities

Both max out at 720p HD video recording at 30fps (Samsung also at 15fps variants). They lack microphone input, 4K support, or advanced stabilization features, making them a secondary choice for serious videographers.

Professional Workflows and Reliability

Both models target consumer segments, so professional demands like robust file formats, weather sealing, or extensive customization are absent.

The Ricoh’s manual focus capability (yes, full MF!) and sensor-shift stabilization suit casual photojournalists or field workers needing some control. Samsung ST100, with touchscreen convenience, fits casual and travel bloggers prioritizing speed over customization.

Connectivity, Battery, and Storage

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, or GPS - features that are standard today but were rare in 2010 compacts.

Both interface via USB 2.0 for data transfer. The Samsung mobile HDMI port allows direct TV connection - a handy feature the Ricoh lacks.

Battery endurance is a draw between the two, using proprietary lithium-ion packs (DB-100 for Ricoh, unspecified for Samsung), with typical compact camera runtimes of around 250–300 shots per charge.

Storage relies on SD/SDHC/SDXC cards (Ricoh) or MicroSD/SDHC (Samsung), both with a single slot.

Summing Up the Scores and Value

Breaking down their overall performance, the Ricoh CX4 scores solidly in versatility and zoom capabilities, while the Samsung ST100 edges forward in resolution and usability with touchscreen controls.

• Ricoh CX4 ranks higher in telephoto reach and stabilization.
• Samsung ST100 shines in portability and interface.
• Both match poorly in professional features and video.

The Final Verdict: Who Should Pick Which?

If your photography calls for reaching far-away subjects, macro close-ups, and low-light handheld shots without breaking the bank, Ricoh CX4 is your trusty companion. It sacrifices some user-friendly controls but delivers where it matters: image stability and flexibility.

On the flip side, if you prioritize lightweight portability, easy touchscreen control, and slightly crisper detail at base ISOs for everyday use and street snaps, the Samsung ST100 fits the bill. It’s less versatile telephoto-wise but superb for quick grab-and-go shooting.

Closing Thoughts

While both are relics by today’s standards given the rapid evolution in compact camera tech, digging into the Ricoh CX4 and Samsung ST100 reveals the thoughtful trade-offs made to serve different photographers.

My years of testing gear tell me these cameras won’t replace modern mirrorless or advanced compacts but serve as strong entry points or budget alternatives still found in second-hand markets.

Ultimately, your choice boils down to your shooting priorities: zoom range and manual control with the Ricoh, versus compact convenience and touchscreen ease with Samsung. Choose with eyes wide open and enjoy exploring photography!

Happy shooting, friends! And if you want to know where today’s tech stands compared to these classics, I’m here for that too.