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Ricoh CX4 vs Sony A55

Portability
92
Imaging
33
Features
34
Overall
33
Ricoh CX4 front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Ricoh CX4 vs Sony A55 Key Specs

Ricoh CX4
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
  • 205g - 102 x 59 x 29mm
  • Announced August 2010
Sony A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Announced August 2010
  • Successor is Sony A57
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Ricoh CX4 vs Sony A55 Overview

Below is a comprehensive analysis of the Ricoh CX4 vs Sony A55, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Ricoh and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the CX4 (10MP) and A55 (16MP) and the CX4 (1/2.3") and A55 (APS-C) come with different sensor sizes.

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The CX4 was brought out around the same time to the A55 which means that they are both of a similar age. The two cameras come with different body type with the Ricoh CX4 being a Compact camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving through a detailed comparison, below is a short view of how the CX4 scores vs the A55 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Ricoh CX4 over the Sony A55

 CX4 A55 

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Ricoh CX4

 A55 CX4 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution921k920kClearer display (+1k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Ricoh CX4 and Sony A55

 CX4 A55 
AnnouncedAugust 2010August 2010Same age
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions
Touch display Missing Touch display

Ricoh CX4 vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and measurements. The Ricoh CX4 comes with external measurements of 102mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Sony A55 has proportions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Check the Ricoh CX4 vs Sony A55 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the CX4 versus the A55.

Ricoh CX4 vs Sony A55 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the CX4 and A55 is 92 and 67 respectively.

Ricoh CX4 vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh CX4 vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to picture the gap in sensor measurements purely by checking out specifications. The graphic here will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the CX4 and A55.

To sum up, the 2 cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The CX4 because of its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Sony A55 will show extra detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics much more aggressively.

Ricoh CX4 vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Ricoh CX4 vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh CX4 vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh CX4 Portrait photography info
Sony A55 Portrait photography info
26
you can focus manually
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
MP count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
73
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Ricoh CX4 Street photography advice
Sony A55 Street photography advice
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (205g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
77
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh CX4 Sports photography factors
Sony A55 Sports photography factors
24
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
MP count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
bad battery pack (380 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh CX4 Travel photography highlights
Sony A55 Travel photography highlights
66
lighter than average (205 grams)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
long reach (300mm)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
62
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
lack of Timelapse function
bad battery pack (380 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh CX4 Landscape photography details
Sony A55 Landscape photography details
42
you can focus manually
really wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
MP count low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
67
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
bad battery pack (380 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Ricoh CX4
Vlogging with Sony A55
30
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (205 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic jack
78
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external microphone jack
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Ricoh CX4 vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh CX4 and Sony A55
 Ricoh CX4Sony SLT-A55
General Information
Manufacturer Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh CX4 Sony SLT-A55
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2010-08-19 2010-08-24
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Smooth Imaging Engine IV Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-300mm (10.7x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.6 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 920k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 205g (0.45 pounds) 500g (1.10 pounds)
Dimensions 102 x 59 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 73
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 816
Other
Battery life - 380 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID DB-100 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2, 10 or Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $211 $800