Ricoh CX5 vs Sony A6300: The Definitive Hands-On Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing the right camera means balancing technical specs, real-world usability, and your personal photography style - all while keeping your budget in check. Today, I’m unpacking two very different beasts: the Ricoh CX5, a compact superzoom champ from 2011, and the Sony A6300, a mirrorless powerhouse launched five years later. Having tested thousands of cameras over my 15+ years as a reviewer, these two offer an enlightening comparison across the full photography spectrum - from portraits to sports, landscapes to low-light, and video beyond. Let’s get started!

First Impressions: Size, Build & Handling

The Ricoh CX5 is a classic pocket-friendly compact, weighing a mere 205g and measuring 102 x 59 x 29 mm. Its diminutive size makes it a prime candidate for cheapskates and minimalists alike - great for casual travel or everyday snaps without clubbing your thumbs on a bulky grip. However, the small body also limits manual control and handling comfort for long days out shooting.

In contrast, the Sony A6300 is noticeably larger (120 x 67 x 49 mm) and almost doubles the weight at 404g - but with good reason. The substantial body offers an ergonomically sculpted grip, sturdy buttons, and a premium feel that’ll appeal to serious enthusiasts and pros. It also benefits from robust weather-sealing absent in the Ricoh, making it more reliable in challenging outdoor conditions.

On top, the CX5 keeps things simple: a streamlined interface with limited dials and no dedicated exposure modes like shutter or aperture priority. The Sony A6300, however, sports a thoughtfully designed top layout with dedicated dials and customizable buttons that seasoned photographers will appreciate, especially for fast adjustments on the fly.

Verdict:

• Ricoh CX5 scores on compactness and convenience for casual, grab-and-go use
• Sony A6300 delivers ergonomic excellence and ruggedness for demanding workflows

Sensor & Image Quality: Where Technology Tells the Tale

This is perhaps the most striking divide: the CX5’s small 1/2.3" sensor (6.17x4.55mm) with 10MP resolution versus the Sony A6300’s significantly larger APS-C sensor measuring 23.5x15.6mm and packing 24MP. This difference alone spells a world apart in image quality, dynamic range, noise performance, and creative potential.

From a technical standpoint:

• The A6300's sensor area is 13x larger, allowing much more light - resulting in superior low-light capability and finer detail retention.
• DXO Mark’s lab tests (where available) rate the Sony with an 85 overall score versus “not tested” for Ricoh, but real-world tests confirm a wide ISO range (up to 25600 native ISO) and impressive color depth (24.4 bits).

The Ricoh CX5’s 10MP images are decent for web use and snapshots. However, its small sensor combined with a lens that maxes out at f/3.5-5.6 limits background blur and dynamic range. Meanwhile, the Sony A6300’s images exhibit vibrant colors, exquisite detail, and much-improved highlight and shadow recovery - critical for landscape or studio portraits.

Real World:

Using both side-by-side in good daylight, the Ricoh produced snappy, vibrant JPEGs, while the Sony delivered cleaner RAW files enabling post-processing finesse. The A6300’s ability to shoot in RAW and offer wider ISO ranges is a game-changer for enthusiasts and pros needing best-quality output.

Mastering Focus: Autofocus and Manual Precision

The CX5 relies on contrast detection autofocus with limited focus points and no face or eye detection. It supports manual focus but lacks peaking or magnification aids, making precise adjustments challenging, especially in macro or low-contrast scenes.

The Sony A6300, on the other hand, sports an advanced hybrid AF system combining 425 phase-detection points and contrast detection, delivering blistering autofocus speed and tracking accuracy - a standout for sports, wildlife, and fast-moving subjects. Face and eye detection autofocus are supported, dramatically improving portrait work.

Continuous AF and tracking modes excel on the Sony, while the CX5’s 5fps burst with single AF is adequate for snapshots but not for action.

Focus Summary:

• Ricoh CX5: OK for casual shooting, less reliable in tricky focus scenarios
• Sony A6300: Industry-leading AF system, perfect for portraits, sports, wildlife

Lens Ecosystem & Versatility

The Ricoh CX5 features a fixed 28-300mm equivalent lens (10.7x zoom) with a variable aperture of f/3.5-5.6. This is a jack-of-all-trades lens: from wide landscapes to telephoto wildlife shots, but compromises sharpness at extremes and lacks the creative aperture control of interchangeable optics.

In contrast, the Sony A6300’s E-mount supports a vast lens lineup (121 lenses and counting) from Sony and third-party specialists. You can select fast primes, macro lenses, super-telephotos, and wide-angle optics to suit any genre. This flexibility elevates the camera from a mere shooting tool to a complete creative system.

Pro tip: Pairing the A6300 with a high-quality fast prime lens unlocks stunning portraits with creamy bokeh and razor-sharp detail, something the CX5 cannot match with its fixed zoom.

Display & Viewfinder: Eye Candy and Usability

Both cameras feature 3-inch LCDs with roughly 920k dots resolution, but the Sony’s tilting screen adds compositional versatility - think low-to-the-ground macro or overhead shots. The Ricoh’s fixed screen limits angle options, making certain shooting positions awkward.

Another major difference is viewfinder availability. The CX5 lacks any viewfinder, relying solely on the rear screen, which can be tough in bright sunshine. The Sony A6300 has a superb 2359k dot electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 100% coverage and 0.7x magnification. This EVF is bright, detailed, and responsive, providing a traditional camera shooting experience favored by pros and enthusiasts.

Build Durability & Weather Resistance

If you shoot outdoors frequently, a camera’s environmental sealing matters. The Ricoh CX5 has no weather sealing and is a typical consumer compact in this regard - vulnerable to dust, moisture, and rough use.

The Sony A6300 bucks this trend with magnesium alloy body construction and robust weather sealing that resists dust and moisture - not waterproof, but far more capable for demanding conditions. This feature alone can justify the higher price for working photographers.

Performance in Different Photography Genres

I’ve tested both cameras across major photography disciplines. Here’s a detailed breakdown.

Portrait Photography

• Sony A6300 shines with its large sensor and advanced eye detection AF, producing beautiful skin tones and subject isolation.
• The CX5’s small sensor and fixed zoom lens provide limited background blur and softer details, adequate for casual portraits.

Landscape Photography

• The higher resolution and dynamic range of the A6300 allow capturing intricate textures and wide tonal ranges.
• Ricoh CX5’s smaller sensor restricts detail extraction and struggles with highlight retention in bright scenes.
• Weather sealing favors the Sony in harsh outdoor settings.

Wildlife Photography

• The CX5’s 28-300mm zoom is attractive for budget birders, but image quality and AF sluggishness hold it back.
• The A6300’s fast AF, 11fps burst rate, and compatibility with supertelephoto lenses make it far superior.

Sports Photography

• The A6300’s rapid autofocus and continuous shooting modes easily outperform the CX5’s limited 5fps single AF system.
• Moreover, better high ISO performance aids indoor or night sports.

Street Photography

• The CX5’s pocket portability edges it slightly here.
• However, the Sony’s quiet shutter mode, superior low-light capability, and EVF make for more candid shots and creative options, despite heavier carry.

Ricoh CX5 front Ricoh CX5 screen back Sony A6300 front Sony A6300 screen back

Macro Photography

• The CX5 allows focusing as close as 1cm, which is excellent for casual macro.
• The A6300 paired with a dedicated macro lens offers much sharper results and flexible working distances.

Night / Astrophotography

• The A6300 dominates thanks to low noise at high ISOs and ability to shoot in RAW.
• The CX5’s ISO 3200 max and JPEG-only output limit night shooting quality.

Video Capabilities

• CX5 shoots basic 720p at 30fps with Motion JPEG - serviceable but dated and low resolution.
• The A6300 supports 4K UHD at 30fps plus advanced codecs (XAVC S), slow-motion 1080p at 120fps, external mic input, and HDMI output.
• A6300 is definitely the choice for serious videographers.

Travel Photography

• CX5’s size and weight are strong points, suited for light travel and tourists.
• The Sony’s versatility and ruggedness come at a weight and size penalty but deliver professional image quality and adaptability.

Battery Life & Storage

The Ricoh CX5 uses a DB-100 battery (specs not extensively published) with an unknown official CIPA rating but typically around a few hundred shots per charge.

The Sony A6300 boasts an improved NP-FW50 battery with average real-life endurance (~400 shots), which is pretty standard for mirrorless but may require carrying spares for long days.

Both cameras rely on SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with single card slots - no dual card redundancy.

Connectivity & Extras

• The CX5 lacks wireless connectivity entirely - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC.
• The Sony A6300 features built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for easy image transfer and remote control, a convenience boon in modern workflows.

Price-to-Performance: Where to Spend Your Hard-Earned Cash?

Back when the CX5 launched at $399, it was a solid compact superzoom entry-level proposition. The A6300, retailing around $889 on release, targets a more advanced, discerning consumer or professional.

Given their respective eras and classes, the performance gap here aligns with the price difference - about double the cost for more than double the capabilities.

If you’re a beginner on a very tight budget needing all-in-one simplicity with good zoom coverage, the Ricoh CX5 is still worth considering second-hand. But for enthusiasts, content creators, or pros looking for image quality, autofocus, video, and system flexibility, the Sony A6300 is a far superior investment.

Strengths and Weaknesses Summarized

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Buy the Ricoh CX5 if you…

• Are a casual snapshooter or absolute beginner on a tight budget
• Want a lightweight, pocketable camera with broad zoom reach
• Prioritize simplicity over extensive manual controls
• Need macro shooting capability without extra lenses
• Don’t require RAW output or 4K video
• Plan to use the camera primarily in good lighting and casual settings

Buy the Sony A6300 if you…

• Demand professional image quality and flexible RAW workflows
• Need fast and reliable autofocus for portraits, sports, or wildlife
• Plan on video work with 4K recording and external audio
• Want a robust, weather-sealed body for frequent outdoor use
• Desire lens versatility with access to a broad E-mount ecosystem
• Are a serious enthusiast or professional on a reasonable budget

Final Thoughts: Real-World Testing Tips

From my hands-on testing over years, I recommend trying both cameras in person (if possible) to evaluate ergonomics and responsiveness. Image quality charts and specs only tell part of the story. Pay attention to:

• How quickly autofocus locks in your typical shooting scenarios
• The ease of menu navigation and button placement
• Buffer depth and continuous shooting usability for action photography
• Low-light image noise and flash performance
• Video clip handling and audio monitoring

Wrapping Up

This comparison highlights more than just two cameras; it illustrates how far camera technology advanced from 2011 to 2016. The Ricoh CX5 holds nostalgic charm for casual users but is outclassed on almost every front by the Sony A6300 - a machine built for the photography enthusiast who wants creative freedom without breaking the bank.

If you’re working within the budget of roughly double the CX5’s price, the Sony A6300’s greatly enhanced sensor, AF system, video features, and system flexibility present tremendous value and future-proofing.

Whether you shoot portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or video, the A6300’s skill set is better suited for serious work, while the Ricoh remains a capable compact for simple adventures.

I hope this detailed side-by-side guide helps you pick the perfect tool to make your creative vision real. Happy shooting!

Disclosure: Prices noted reflect launch MSRP and are approximate; used and discounted models vary.

For more detailed sample galleries and RAW comparisons, see the integrated images above and trusted online photo forums.