Ricoh CX5 vs Sony A230
92 Imaging
34 Features
35 Overall
34


69 Imaging
50 Features
40 Overall
46
Ricoh CX5 vs Sony A230 Key Specs
(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
- Launched July 2011
(Full Review)

Ricoh CX5 vs Sony A230 Overview
Its time to examine more in depth at the Ricoh CX5 vs Sony A230, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Ricoh and Sony. The image resolution of the CX5 (10MP) and the A230 (10MP) is relatively close but the CX5 (1/2.3") and A230 (APS-C) use different sensor measurements.

The CX5 was released 2 years later than the A230 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Ricoh CX5 being a Compact camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before going in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise view of how the CX5 grades vs the A230 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Ricoh CX5 vs Sony A230 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Ricoh CX5 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A230. The complete galleries are available at Ricoh CX5 Gallery and Sony A230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Ricoh CX5 over the Sony A230
CX5 | A230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | July 2011 | ![]() | May 2009 | More recent by 27 months |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+690k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Ricoh CX5
A230 | CX5 |
---|
Common features in the Ricoh CX5 and Sony A230
CX5 | A230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch friendly screen |
Ricoh CX5 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison
When you are going to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Ricoh CX5 has exterior dimensions of 102mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Sony A230 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).
See the Ricoh CX5 vs Sony A230 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the CX5 versus the A230.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the CX5 and A230 is 92 and 69 respectively.

Ricoh CX5 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is tough to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements only by looking through specs. The graphic here might provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the CX5 and A230.
All in all, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels albeit different sensor measurements. The CX5 provides the smaller sensor which is going to make achieving bokeh more challenging. The fresher CX5 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Ricoh CX5 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh CX5 vs Sony A230 Specifications
Ricoh CX5 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Ricoh | Sony |
Model | Ricoh CX5 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level DSLR |
Launched | 2011-07-19 | 2009-05-18 |
Body design | Compact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Smooth Imaging Engine IV | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 3872 x 2592 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens focal range | 28-300mm (10.7x) | - |
Highest aperture | f/3.5-5.6 | - |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | - |
Number of lenses | - | 143 |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Display resolution | 920k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.55x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 8 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 5.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 4.00 m | 10.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | - |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | None |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | - |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 205 grams (0.45 lb) | 490 grams (1.08 lb) |
Dimensions | 102 x 59 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | 63 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.3 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 11.4 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 531 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 230 photos |
Battery form | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | DB-100 | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes (2, 10 or Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Pricing at launch | $399 | $569 |