Ricoh CX4 vs Sony Cyber-shot H400: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Small-Sensor Superzooms

When it comes to small sensor superzoom cameras, the Ricoh CX4 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400 occupy uniquely colorful corners of the market spectrum. Released four years apart - 2010 and 2014 respectively - these two models capture the spirit of accessible long-range zoom photography but approach it with very different engineering philosophies and user experiences.

Having thoroughly tested both cameras across multiple photography disciplines, I’m excited to share what these shooters truly bring to the table - not just on paper but in your hands and through your lens. Whether you’re exploring casual travel snaps, dabbling in wildlife photography, or seeking a budget-friendly all-in-one solution, this comparison will parse their strengths and pitfalls with an honest, expert eye.

So, let’s start by putting these two side-by-side… literally.

Size and Ergonomics: Compactness vs. Presence

First impressions count, especially when you’re out in the field for a full day of shooting. The Ricoh CX4 arrives as a compact superzoom designed to fit snugly into a jacket pocket or purse, whereas the Sony H400 embraces the classic bridge camera “SLR-like” heft and grip.

The Ricoh measures a trim 102 x 59 x 29 mm with a featherweight 205 grams. Its pocketability makes it a low-friction companion for travel or street photography when carrying light is paramount. The build feels solid enough but leans toward the plasticky side characteristic of compact cameras a decade ago.

By contrast, the Sony H400 is a hefty beast - 130 x 95 x 122 mm and tipping the scales at 628 grams. It’s got the reassuring grip and robust presence that some photographers might prefer for stability, particularly at very long focal lengths. This larger chassis allows for a more DSLR-ish control layout but at the cost of portability; you definitely won’t be slipping this into your jeans pocket anytime soon.

While the CX4 invites spontaneity with quick holstering and minimal bulk, the Sony asks you to commit to carrying a dedicated camera bag or strap. Your shooting style and travel habits will determine which size feels right for you.

Design and Control Layout: Simplicity vs. Feature-Rich

Ergonomics are more than just size - button layout, screen accessibility, and viewfinder availability shape how quickly and comfortably you shoot.

The Ricoh CX4 keeps it straightforward with a minimalist top deck - power, shutter release, and zoom rocker dominate the scene. There’s no viewfinder at all, just a fixed 3-inch LCD screen (more on that soon). The absence of dedicated exposure modes or aperture/shutter priority means you get simplicity but sacrifice nuanced control. Manual focus is present but rudimentary - great for dabbling but limiting for demanding scenes.

Sony’s H400 opts for a more traditional approach with a prominent electronic viewfinder (EVF) alongside its own 3-inch fixed LCD. The EVF boasts a modest 201k-dot resolution but the 100% frame coverage is handy for precise composition in bright sunlight where LCD reflection becomes a problem. It also offers dedicated dials for shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation, lending itself better to users who want to finesse settings on the fly.

Though the H400’s control scheme is more advanced, it’s worth noting that it doesn’t feature touchscreen capabilities on either device, which feels a bit dated by modern standards.

Sensor and Image Quality: Technology and Resolution Face-Off

Any serious photographer knows the sensor is the beating heart of the camera. Here, both cameras use a 1/2.3” sensor size - pretty standard fare in this class - but diverge on sensor type and resolution.

The Ricoh CX4 relies on a 10-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor - a technology that back in 2010 was relatively new for compacts, offering improved low-light sensitivity through more efficient light capture. Its maximum resolution clocks in at 3648 x 2736 pixels. Unfortunately, the CX4 does not support RAW shooting, thus relegating image quality tuning to JPEG compression and in-camera processing.

On the flip side, the Sony H400 packs a more aggressive 20-megapixel CCD sensor at 5152 x 3864 resolution. While CCD sensors often deliver rich color rendition and fine detail in good light, they tend to falter with noise at higher ISO - a fair trade-off for this sensor generation. Like the Ricoh, it also lacks RAW support, limiting post-processing flexibility.

In practical terms, I found the Ricoh’s BSI-CMOS sensor yielded cleaner images at ISO 800, which can be pivotal for indoor and nighttime shooting. The Sony’s higher resolution delivers more detail under ideal lighting but introduces noticeable noise at ISO 400 and above.

Another caveat: Both sensors come bundled with an anti-aliasing filter, which softens fine details slightly to prevent moiré but at a subtle cost to sharpness.

The View and Touch: LCD and EVF Experience

Viewing and framing your shot is a cherished ritual, and both cameras cater to this differently.

The Ricoh CX4’s 3-inch fixed LCD boasts a 920k-dot resolution - meaning crisp, clear previews. The downside? It lacks articulating or touchscreen functions, locking you into a fixed position and traditional button navigation.

Sony’s H400 features a similar 3-inch LCD but with a lower 460k-dot resolution, showing less sharpness and subtlety in preview images. However, this is balanced by the presence of an EVF, which (though modest in resolution) proves invaluable in bright sunlight.

Interestingly, the H400 does not support live view AF but does offer face detection via the EVF - hands-on testing confirmed this works well for portraiture, while the CX4 lacks face detection altogether.

As a personal note, I found myself defaulting to the Ricoh’s LCD outdoors despite the lack of EVF - its higher resolution screen made it easier to confirm focus. The Sony’s EVF was my go-to indoors or under direct sun.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Focal Range Adventures

Both cameras feature fixed lenses with massive zoom ranges - one of their main selling points - but with very different stretches.

The Ricoh CX4 covers a versatile 28-300mm (full-frame equivalent) focal range with a maximum aperture from f/3.5 to f/5.6. The lens offers a respectable 10.7x zoom, great for travel and moderate telephoto work. The macro capabilities are impressive too, enabling focus as close as 1 cm for tight close-ups - a boon for macro enthusiasts on the go.

Sony’s H400, on the other hand, braces a staggering 25-1550mm equivalent range - an insane 63.3x zoom that’s truly in bridge camera territory. This unlocks distant wildlife or sports subjects with relative ease, albeit with natural compromises in sharpness and aperture at the extreme end (f/3.4-6.5).

The H400 lacks a defined macro mode, which paired with its massive zoom means close focusing isn’t its forte - so it’s less suited for flower or insect photography than the Ricoh.

While the Ricoh is a capable all-rounder, the Sony dominates sheer telephoto reach.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Speed and Accuracy in Action

Autofocus systems can make or break a spontaneous shot. Here, both cameras utilize contrast-detection AF with no phase-detection sensors.

Ricoh CX4 offers single autofocus only - a decisive limitation for fast moving subjects. The camera lacks face or eye detection, relying instead on a multi-area detection system that can be slow and prone to hunting in low light.

The Sony H400 adds face detection and improves tracking, performing better for action or portrait shots where the subject moves unpredictably - though its slow burst rate of 1 fps limits continuous shooting enjoyment.

Ricoh’s burst shooting clocks at 5 fps, beneficial for capturing quick sequences in a pinch, though buffer depth is limited. Sony’s slower continuous rate makes it better suited for deliberate single frames.

Image Stabilization: Keeping It Steady

Both cameras feature in-body image stabilization - sensor-shift for Ricoh and optical for Sony.

Ricoh’s sensor-shift system works admirably for handheld shots up to moderate focal lengths, nicely complementing its 10x zoom. Sony’s optical system is robust, and I found it particularly helpful at the extreme telephoto end, counteracting handshake when zoomed all the way to 1550mm - a tough feat for any camera.

For video, stabilization is crucial; Sony’s optical IS provides smoother footage compared to Ricoh’s simpler system.

Video Performance: HD Capabilities and Audio

Neither camera ventures into 4K territory, but both provide respectable HD video.

Ricoh records 720p at 30 fps in Motion JPEG - a notably heavier codec resulting in large files and less efficient compression. No external mic input limits audio control.

Sony delivers 720p at 30 fps as well, but with more modern MPEG-4 H.264 compression and a dedicated microphone port - a boon for anyone serious about video sound quality. Sony’s HDMI output also offers better external monitoring options.

Both cameras lack image stabilization specifically optimized for video, meaning handheld footage can still appear shaky despite stabilization.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity: Practical Considerations

Ricoh CX4 uses proprietary DB-100 battery, with no official battery life rating from the manufacturer, but in practical shooting, I averaged around 250 shots per charge. Storage is straightforward with SD/SDHC cards.

Sony H400 offers a Battery Pack with rated life of roughly 300 shots, also using SD variants plus Memory Stick PRO Duo compatibility - offering more media flexibility.

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity, bluetooth, or GPS - features taken for granted today but absent here given their vintage. USB 2.0 ports provide basic transfer but slow by modern standards. Sony’s HDMI inclusion gives a slight edge for video professionals.

Practical Performance Across Photography Disciplines

Portrait Photography

Ricoh CX4’s lack of face or eye detection autofocus is a big downside here. Bokeh from its f/3.5-5.6 lens is average, largely due to small sensor size limiting background blur. Skin tones render fairly naturally, but with limited dynamic range, highlight clipping can occur in bright light.

Sony H400, with face detection and exposure compensation, performs better for portraits. The tiny sensor again limits bokeh but does permit sharper rendering at longer focal lengths - handy for headshots across a room or outdoors. The electronic viewfinder helps nail focus on eyes.

Landscape Photography

Both cameras have similar sensor sizes, so limited inherent dynamic range compared to larger-sensor models. The Sony H400’s 20MP resolution offers more cropping and detail preservation for landscape shots.

Neither camera boasts weather sealing - important for outdoor shoots. Ricoh’s smaller, compact form helps for portability on hikes, but Sony’s bigger build is bulkier.

Wildlife Photography

The Sony H400’s incredible 1550mm equivalent zoom uniquely suits wildlife enthusiasts who can sacrifice speed and sensor quality for reach. The touted autofocus tracking and face detection aid in hunting moving subjects.

Ricoh CX4’s 300mm max zoom and slower autofocus make it less suitable here, but it excels in macro shots of insects and flowers, thanks to its 1cm close focus.

Sports Photography

Neither camera is a dream for sports shooters given slow continuous rates (5 fps max for Ricoh, 1 fps for Sony), contrast AF-only systems, and limited buffer.

Sony’s aperture/shutter priority modes help you wield some creative control. However, professionals will likely find these cameras limiting for fast-paced sports action.

Street Photography

Ricoh CX4’s compact size, silent shutter option (with minimum shutter speed to 8 seconds which is more about low light), and discreet look make it good for candid street shots. Sony’s size and bulk work against street stealth.

Low-light performance favors the Ricoh’s BSI-CMOS sensor with cleaner ISO 800 images.

Macro Photography

Ricoh’s true macro focus down to 1 cm provides real creative opportunities impossible with the H400, enhancing close-up flower and insect shots.

Sony’s macro abilities are limited with no specific close focus mode.

Night and Astro Photography

Small sensors and limited control mean neither camera shines in star photography. Ricoh CX4’s ISO 3200 max and 1/8 to 1/2000s shutter range offer some nightscape options but expect noise and flickering exposure.

Sony’s slower shutter (min 30s) with ISO 3200 and built-in face detection doesn’t offer specialized long exposure modes.

Video

Sony’s video capabilities are superior overall, offering better compression, audio input, and HDMI out. Ricoh is fine for casual HD video but limited by HDMI absence and heavier MJPEG format.

Travel Photography

If travel convenience and light packing count, the Ricoh weighs in as a nimble all-rounder. Sony’s massive zoom offers reach but demands commitment to carry extra weight and bulk.

Professional Use

Both cameras are amateur-end geared, lacking RAW support, professional workflows, and weather resistance. The Sony’s manual exposure and aperture/shutter priority modes give it a slight edge for advanced amateurs.

Final Verdict: Which Superzoom Should You Choose?

Ricoh CX4 front Ricoh CX4 screen back Sony H400 front Sony H400 screen back

The Ricoh CX4’s Strengths

• Compact, lightweight for on-the-go shooting
• BSI-CMOS sensor gives better low-light image quality at base ISO settings
• Macro close-focus down to 1 cm opens creative doors
• Faster burst mode for capturing quick sequences
• Higher-resolution LCD screen for clearer framing

The Sony Cyber-shot H400’s Strengths

• Staggering 63x optical zoom (25-1550mm equivalent) for distant subjects
• Manual exposure modes provide creative flexibility
• Face detection autofocus aids portraits and tracking
• Electronic viewfinder useful in bright shooting conditions
• HDMI output and microphone port for serious video users

Weaknesses to Consider

Ricoh CX4 lacks manual exposure controls, face detection AF, and has a lower maximum image resolution, limiting advanced photography needs. Sony H400 is heavy and bulky, with noisy images beyond ISO 400 and a sluggish continuous shooting pace.

Recommendations by Use Case

• Casual travel photography and street shooting: Ricoh CX4’s compactness, faster shooting, and better low-light performance make it a better choice.
• Wildlife, birding, and long-distance telephoto: Sony H400’s breakout zoom wins - ideal where reach trumps other compromises.
• Macro enthusiasts: Ricoh CX4’s close focus excels.
• Video-centric users: Sony H400’s audio and HDMI features make it preferable.
• Advanced amateurs interested in manual control: Sony H400 offers partial manual exposure and face detection; Ricoh doesn’t.

Closing Thoughts

Neither camera is a modern marvel by today’s mirrorless standards, but weighing them in the context of their time and category, both present value-oriented choices for photographers on a budget craving strong zoom abilities without the bloat of interchangeable lens systems.

Personally, I appreciated Ricoh CX4’s ease and low-light agility for everyday use, while the Sony H400 fascinated me with its nosebleed zoom, trading portability for reach. Deciding your priority - is it to travel light or to reach far? - will guide your choice.

Either way, these cameras evoke the nostalgia and fun of superzoom photography, reminding us some classics still hold charm amid digital evolution.

If you found this in-depth comparison useful, feel free to delve into more reviews of current superzooms or drop a comment sharing your experiences with these models!