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Ricoh CX5 vs Sony a5100

Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
35
Overall
34
Ricoh CX5 front
 
Sony Alpha a5100 front
Portability
89
Imaging
65
Features
74
Overall
68

Ricoh CX5 vs Sony a5100 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
  • Announced July 2011
Sony a5100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 283g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
  • Released August 2014
  • Replaced the Sony a5000
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Ricoh CX5 vs Sony a5100 Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Ricoh CX5 vs Sony a5100, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Ricoh and Sony. There is a large difference between the sensor resolutions of the CX5 (10MP) and a5100 (24MP) and the CX5 (1/2.3") and a5100 (APS-C) use different sensor dimensions.

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The CX5 was introduced 4 years earlier than the a5100 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Ricoh CX5 being a Compact camera and the Sony a5100 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the CX5 matches up versus the a5100 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh CX5 over the Sony a5100

 CX5 a5100 

Reasons to pick Sony a5100 over the Ricoh CX5

 a5100 CX5 
ReleasedAugust 2014July 2011Newer by 37 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution922k920kClearer screen (+2k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Ricoh CX5 and Sony a5100

 CX5 a5100 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Ricoh CX5 vs Sony a5100 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Ricoh CX5 provides exterior measurements of 102mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Sony a5100 has proportions of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

Look at the Ricoh CX5 vs Sony a5100 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at the time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the CX5 against the a5100.

Ricoh CX5 vs Sony a5100 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the CX5 and a5100 is 92 and 89 respectively.

Ricoh CX5 vs Sony a5100 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh CX5 vs Sony a5100 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions only by looking at technical specs. The image underneath will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the CX5 and a5100.

As you can tell, each of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The CX5 using its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony a5100 will resolve extra detail using its extra 14 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged CX5 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Ricoh CX5 vs Sony a5100 sensor size comparison

Ricoh CX5 vs Sony a5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh CX5 vs Sony a5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Ricoh CX5
Portrait photography with Sony a5100
28
focusing manually
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
72
focusing manually
MP count good (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Ricoh CX5 Street photography features
Sony a5100 Street photography features
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (205g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
82
screen tilts up and down
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
includes touch to focus
very good ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh CX5 Sports photography factors
Sony a5100 Sports photography factors
25
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
low frames per second (5.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
68
MP count good (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
good battery life (400 CIPA)
has phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (6.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh CX5 Travel photography factors
Sony a5100 Travel photography factors
66
lighter than average (205 grams)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
long reach (300mm)
MP count low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
80
good battery life (400 shots)
includes touch to focus
MP count good (24MP)
has built in flash
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh CX5 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony a5100 as a Landscape photography camera
45
focusing manually
rather wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
MP count low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
79
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
MP count good (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (400 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh CX5 as a Vlogging camera
Sony a5100 as a Vlogging camera
30
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (205 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic jack
34
has touchscreen
supports face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
does not have external mic port
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Ricoh CX5 vs Sony a5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh CX5 and Sony a5100
 Ricoh CX5Sony Alpha a5100
General Information
Brand Name Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh CX5 Sony Alpha a5100
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2011-07-19 2014-08-17
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Smooth Imaging Engine IV Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 3200 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 179
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 28-300mm (10.7x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.6 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 920 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Flash off, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
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 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (120p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 205 gr (0.45 lb) 283 gr (0.62 lb)
Dimensions 102 x 59 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 80
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 1347
Other
Battery life - 400 photographs
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID DB-100 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2, 10 or Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $399 $448