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Ricoh CX5 vs Sony A290

Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
35
Overall
34
Ricoh CX5 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Ricoh CX5 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Ricoh CX5
(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
  • Introduced July 2011
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Released June 2010
  • Replaced the Sony A230
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Ricoh CX5 vs Sony A290 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Ricoh CX5 vs Sony A290, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Ricoh and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the CX5 (10MP) and A290 (14MP) and the CX5 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor size.

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The CX5 was unveiled 14 months later than the A290 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Ricoh CX5 being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a short summary of how the CX5 matches up against the A290 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Ricoh CX5 over the Sony A290

 CX5 A290 
ReleasedJuly 2011June 2010Fresher by 14 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Ricoh CX5

 A290 CX5 

Common features in the Ricoh CX5 and Sony A290

 CX5 A290 
Manually focus More exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Ricoh CX5 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera often, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Ricoh CX5 provides outside measurements of 102mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Sony A290 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Check the Ricoh CX5 vs Sony A290 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the CX5 versus the A290.

Ricoh CX5 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the CX5 and A290 is 92 and 66 respectively.

Ricoh CX5 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh CX5 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizing just by checking out technical specs. The graphic underneath should give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the CX5 and A290.

As you have seen, each of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The CX5 having a smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh harder and the Sony A290 will show more detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more recent CX5 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Ricoh CX5 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Ricoh CX5 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh CX5 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh CX5 Portrait photography info
Sony A290 Portrait photography info
28
manual focus
can't use external flash
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
65
has manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Ricoh CX5 Street photography highlights
Sony A290 Street photography highlights
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (205 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh CX5 Sports photography advice
Sony A290 Sports photography advice
25
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
no liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
bad battery (290 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh CX5 Travel photography information
Sony A290 Travel photography information
66
lighter than average in class (205 grams)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
low MP (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
53
resolution is good (14MP)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
bad battery (290 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Ricoh CX5
Landscape photography with Sony A290
45
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
58
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no liveview
bad battery (290 CIPA)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Ricoh CX5
Vlogging with Sony A290
30
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (205g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic socket
9
no video shooting
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Ricoh CX5 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh CX5 and Sony A290
 Ricoh CX5Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Make Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh CX5 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2011-07-19 2010-06-09
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor 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 area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-300mm (10.7x) -
Max aperture f/3.5-5.6 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 920 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
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
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings 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
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 205g (0.45 lb) 549g (1.21 lb)
Dimensions 102 x 59 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 615
Other
Battery life - 290 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID DB-100 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2, 10 or Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $399 $600