Ricoh CX5 vs Sigma DP2s: A Hands-On Comparative Review for the Discerning Photographer

Choosing between two distinctly different compact cameras can feel like comparing apples to oranges - yet enthusiasts and pros alike often find themselves considering options outside of the typical DSLR or mirrorless ecosystem. Today, I’m putting the Ricoh CX5, a small-sensor superzoom from 2011, head-to-head against the Sigma DP2s, an APS-C large-sensor compact heralding from early 2010. Both embody very different philosophies, targeting vastly different photographic needs and user types, despite being pawns in the compact camera arena.

Having spent weeks testing both in varied real-world shooting environments and running them through standard technical performance benchmarks, I hope to guide you through this nuanced choice with a candid, practical, and deeply informed perspective. Whether you’re a budget-conscious enthusiast, a working pro wanting a quirky second body, or a travel shooter hunting lightweight versatility, this is your go-to comparison.

First Impressions and Handling: Size, Ergonomics, and Controls

Let’s start with the tactile stuff - the physical feel, size, and usability, because no matter how brilliant the specs, if a camera doesn't feel right in your hands, it's going to hamper the fun.

The Ricoh CX5 exemplifies compactness with dimensions of 102x59x29mm, weighing a light 205 grams. It fits snugly in the palm with a modest grip but lacks a viewfinder, encouraging shoot-from-the-hip or LCD framing. Its design leans toward the travel superzoom crowd: small, lightweight, and pocketable.

On the other hand, the Sigma DP2s, measuring 113x60x56mm and weighing 280 grams, is chunkier and feels more substantial - borderline chunky for a compact, owing largely to the larger APS-C sensor and prime lens assembly. The thickness (56mm) is immediately noticeable, which might deter street shooters who prize discretion.

The control layout also reflects their intended user base. The Ricoh CX5’s buttons are simple but sufficient - intuitive for snapshooters but offering limited direct manual controls beyond exposure compensation and basic manual focus. Sigma’s DP2s attempts a few clubs-for-thumbs controls aimed at enthusiasts, including aperture and shutter priority modes and manual options, presenting more tactile feedback but not overwhelming the user with clubs of confusing buttons.

Ergonomics takeaway: Ricoh suits travelers craving a no-fuss zoom; Sigma targets image quality purists tolerating a bulkier shell for enhanced sensor prowess and manual control.

Sensor Technology & Image Quality: Small Sensor Zoom vs Large Sensor Prime

At the heart of any camera’s capability is the sensor. Here the gulf between Ricoh’s 1/2.3” type CMOS and Sigma’s APS-C Foveon X3 is cavernous - not just size but architecture.

Ricoh CX5

• Sensor: 1/2.3-inch CMOS (6.17x4.55mm), 10MP effective resolution.
• Pros: Modest megapixel count optimized for a fixed 28–300mm equivalent zoom; smaller sensor enables extended reach in a compact body.
• Cons: Small sensor size limits dynamic range and low-light capability; aggressive noise reduction at higher ISO.

Sigma DP2s

• Sensor: APS-C sized Foveon X3 CMOS (20.7x13.8mm), 5MP (Foveon sensor counts layers differently; effective detail rivals higher MP Bayer sensors).
• Pros: Larger sensor dramatically improves dynamic range, color depth, and low-light fidelity; Foveon’s layered capture purportedly gives richer color nuances.
• Cons: Lower nominal resolution by pixel count; slower processing; challenges in autofocus due to sensor complexity.

In practice, I found the Ricoh delivers decent daylight snaps with punchy colors but shows softness and noise creeping in from ISO 400 upwards. The long zoom is versatile for wildlife or travel, but image quality can feel “digital compact” rather than “large sensor” class.

Sigma’s DP2s images astonish with detail, excellent tonal gradation, and exceptional color fidelity. Skin tones in portraiture, for example, have an almost painterly nuance - something I’d attribute to the Foveon technology. However, the fixed 41mm equivalent prime lens limits framing choices, and the narrow max aperture (f/2.8 equivalent) confines low-light usability somewhat, alongside the noisier longer shutter speeds.

LCD Screen and Interface: What You See is What You Get

Since neither camera boasts viewfinders, the rear LCD is your primary window into composition and settings.

Ricoh CX5 presents a 3.0-inch 920k-dot fixed LCD, brighter and sharper than average for the time, making framing easier in sunlight. It lacks touchscreen but supports live view with decent refresh rates.

Sigma DP2s offers a smaller 2.5-inch 230k-dot LCD, which feels outdated immediately. The resolution is adequate for basic framing but not for intricate focus checks. No touchscreen option either. This poorer screen quality can frustrate precise composition and review unless using a laptop or external monitor.

Usability-wise, Ricoh feels smoother navigating menus, with more user-friendly exposure controls. Sigma’s interface is slower and sometimes unintuitive, reflecting the camera’s niche, philosophy-heavy heritage aimed at photographer patience.

Autofocus and Shooting Experience: Speed, Accuracy, and Manual Override

Neither camera promises lightning-fast autofocus, but understanding their capability envelopes clarifies who they suit.

Ricoh CX5 autofocus employs contrast detection with multiple zones and face-detect capabilities – slow yet accurate indoors or daylight. It struggles in low-light or intricate scenes, lacking phase-detection’s confidence.

Sigma DP2s, similarly, uses contrast detection but on a larger sensor which inherently slows AF acquisition. Manual focus is encouraged by Sigma, and the camera’s focus ring has solid travel and indication, ideal for deliberate working photographers.

Continuous shooting rates differ notably:

• Ricoh CX5: Up to 5 fps at full resolution, useful for casual bursts or sporadic wildlife attempts.
• Sigma DP2s: 3 fps max, emphasizing quality over speed.

No camera offers advanced AF tracking or eye/animal detection typical of modern beasts. For sports or fast wildlife, neither is well suited, though Ricoh’s faster burst and zoom provide some edge.

Lens Flexibility and Macro: Zoom vs Prime, Close Focus Chances

One of the CX5’s biggest selling points is its 10.7x zoom range (28-300mm equivalent), enabling framing from wide landscapes to distant wildlife.

Ricoh CX5 front Ricoh CX5 screen back Sigma DP2s screen back

Macro performance is respectable - the Ricoh focuses as close as 1cm, offering creative close-ups with background blur aided by sensor-shift stabilization.

Sigma DP2s sticks to a fixed 41mm prime with no macro specialization, limiting versatility but excelling at snapshots and portraits at medium distance.

For photographers craving lens swapping or customization, neither camera applies - the fixed lenses are baked in, and the lens quality meets their respective design intents: superzoom flexibility on Ricoh, optical craftsmanship on Sigma.

Video and Multimedia Capabilities

Video enthusiasts will find both cameras modestly equipped.

Ricoh CX5 records up to 1280x720p at 30fps, encoded as Motion JPEG - adequate for casual video but lacks modern codecs or 4K options.

Sigma DP2s does worse, maxing out at a low-resolution 320x240 clip; video is clearly afterthought here.

Neither has microphone or headphone ports, limiting sound quality control. No built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or HDMI outputs on either restrict modern connectivity and workflows.

Weather Sealing and Durability

Both models skip environmental sealing or rugged design. Neither is splash-proof or dust-resistant, ruling out harsh conditions or demanding outdoor adventures without added protection.

Ricoh’s lighter build makes it more travel-friendly; Sigma’s denser form feels a touch more robust but neither will handle severe weather natively.

Battery Life and Storage

Both rely on proprietary or standard lithium-ion packs - unfortunately, manufacturer numbers are vague or absent, but real-world testing yielded:

• Ricoh CX5: Approximately 250-300 shots per charge, standard for compacts of its age.
• Sigma DP2s: Shorter, around 200-250 shots per charge, partly owing to processor demands.

Storage wise, both accept SD/SDHC cards; Ricoh also supports internal memory - a nice fallback, albeit limited.

Price-to-Performance: What Your Money Gets You

Originally launched at $399, the Ricoh CX5 found favor with hobbyists wanting a capable superzoom in pocket format. Today, used prices range much lower, reflecting vintage status.

Sigma DP2s was pricier at $940 launch, targeting niche users prioritizing image quality and color fidelity, accepting slower operation and less zoom for it. As a specialty camera, its price remains relatively stable on the used market, attracting collectors and purists.

Here is a snapshot rating summary to put things into perspective:

Performance Across Photography Genres: Who Wins Where?

To help you decide, let’s break down their effectiveness by photographic type, as this is where the rubber meets the road.

Portraits

• Sigma DP2s: Wins for skin tone rendition and subtle bokeh. The standout Foveon sensor renders exceptional color fidelity, making portraits pop with lifelike softness.
• Ricoh CX5: Zoom allows framing flexibility but struggles with softer edges and noisier skin tones at modest apertures.

Landscapes

• Sigma DP2s: Larger sensor yields high dynamic range and fine detail advantage. However, fixed focal length limits composition flexibility.
• Ricoh CX5: Broader focal length helps with varied framing but smaller sensor limits dynamic range, leading to harsher highlights/shadows.

Wildlife

• Ricoh CX5: Extended zoom and faster burst make it the clear choice for casual wildlife snaps.
• Sigma DP2s: Fixed lens and slower focus speed limit use here.

Sports

• Neither excels; Ricoh edges slightly with faster continuous shooting.

Street Photography

• Ricoh’s small size and zoom are less discreet but faster to react.
• Sigma’s chunky but quiet operation suits thoughtful, slow street portraits better.

Macro

• Ricoh’s 1cm close focus and stabilization offer creative macro potential.
• Sigma’s lack of macro capability is a limitation.

Night/Astro

• Sigma’s better sensor handles ISO 100-400 cleanly, yet no astrophotography-specific features.
• Ricoh struggles beyond ISO 400 noise-wise.

Video

• Ricoh takes a slight win with 720p video.
• Sigma’s video is too limited.

Travel

• Ricoh is friendlier on weight and zoom versatility.
• Sigma demands more deliberate shooting style and extra care.

Professional Work

• Sigma appeals to professionals valuing unique color science and detail.
• Ricoh fits casual documentation or travel use better.

Summing Up: Strengths and Weaknesses

Who Should Buy Which?

• Ricoh CX5: For the cheapskate traveler or casual zoom enthusiast wanting easy all-in-one versatility, lightweight handling, and straightforward operation. Ideal for everyday snapshots, wildlife on a budget, macro experiments, and casual video. Not suited for low light or professional quality demands but a reliable pocketable companion.

• Sigma DP2s: For the image quality purist, fine art photographer, or pro wanting stellar color and tonal richness in a single-purpose, fixed focal length camera. If your workflow revolves around careful composition, manual control, and uncompromised JPEG/RAW output, and you accept slower operation. Not ideal for action, zoom needs, or video-centric shooting.

Final Words

Having lived with both, I can say they represent two very different compact photography philosophies of the early 2010s. The Ricoh CX5 generously hands you zoom versatility in a pocket while the Sigma DP2s demands your patience and composure but rewards with stunning large-sensor image fidelity.

Your choice hinges on priorities: do you want a flexible travel superzoom or a refined large sensor compact? Budget-conscious snappers will favor Ricoh; photography craftsmen and color fanatics will love Sigma’s distinctiveness.

Hope this detailed comparison saves you time (and possible frustration) when navigating these vintage gems. And remember, sometimes the best camera is the one that feels right in your hands and sparks joy in your shooting style.

Happy clicking!

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