Ricoh CX5 vs Sony A6400: Choosing Your Next Camera with an Experienced Eye

When it comes to choosing a camera today, the variety can be downright bewildering. Even for someone like me, with over 15 years of putting cameras through their paces in studios and rugged outdoor settings, it pays to distill real-world experiences from pure spec sheets. Today, I'm diving deep into a head-to-head comparison between two wildly different cameras: the 2011 Ricoh CX5 small sensor superzoom compact, and the 2019 Sony Alpha A6400, a mirrorless APS-C powerhouse.

These cameras target totally different audiences and budgets, yet both still find their niches among photographers. Over roughly 2500 words, I’ll share tested insights, practical use cases, and honest verdicts to help you answer: which one fits your style, needs, and wallet? Let’s start by sizing up the physical gear and build.

Size and Handling: Compact Convenience vs. Mirrorless Muscle

The Ricoh CX5 is built for pocketability with its compact body measuring just 102x59x29mm and tipping the scales at a featherweight 205g. It slots neatly into pockets or small bags, making it ideal for casual strolls, travel, or everyday snapshots. Ergonomically, it’s straightforward - not much in terms of controls or grip heft, but that goes hand-in-hand with being ultra-portable.

In contrast, the Sony A6400 commits to a more substantial rangefinder-style mirrorless form factor (120x67x50mm, 403g). It’s about twice the weight and size but offers a robust grip, dedicated dials, and a comfortable heft that professional photographers crave for stability during longer shoots. The body feels solid and confident, though it’s not something you’ll forget is hanging from your neck on a casual walk.

Handling is where your priorities manifest: if you want something that disappears in your hand and pockets, the Ricoh fits the bill. If you value tactile controls and endurance for serious shooting, the Sony demands your attention.

Design and Control Layout: Simple or Sophisticated?

Looking at controls, Ricoh’s CX5 keeps things minimal, with limited buttons and a fixed zoom lens - focusing on ease over customization. There’s no dedicated aperture or shutter priority mode, just a manual exposure mode with some basic exposure compensation. The fixed lens means no worrying about changing glass, but also less creative flexibility.

Sony’s A6400, on the other hand, brings complexity to the table, equipped with top dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and intuitive buttons that can be customized to your workflow. The tilting touchscreen adds modern convenience, while the eye-level electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2.4M-dot resolution ensures clear framing even in bright conditions.

If you’re a 'point-and-shoot' kind of photographer who doesn't love clubs for your thumbs, the Ricoh’s simpler interface might be inviting. But if you’re a hands-on shooter who loves controlling every photographic parameter, the Sony's design will feel like a versatile cockpit.

Sensor Size & Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

The critical difference here is sensor technology, and that alone makes the image quality gap enormous.

• Ricoh CX5: 1/2.3" CMOS sensor (~28.07 mm² area), 10MP resolution.
• Sony A6400: APS-C CMOS sensor (23.5x15.6mm, ~366.6 mm² area), 24MP resolution.

To put that in perspective, the Sony’s sensor has more than 13 times the surface area of the Ricoh’s tiny chip. In photography, bigger sensors generally translate to better dynamic range, higher image quality, reduced noise at high ISOs, and more creative control over depth of field.

I’ve spent hours shooting side-by-side test scenes in landscapes, portraits, and low light. The RX5’s sensor struggles in shadows and high-contrast scenes, often yielding images with muted colors and visible noise beyond ISO 200. By comparison, the A6400 delivers clean images with rich color rendering and fantastic detail even at ISO 3200 or higher.

With the Ricoh, you'll generally get acceptable results for casual snaps and moderate lighting, but pushing creative boundaries or post-processing extensively is limited. The Sony is where image quality enthusiasts and professionals start feeling at home.

Screen & Viewfinder: Framing Your Vision

Both cameras sport a 3" LCD screen with roughly 920,000–922,000 dots resolution - quite standard. The Ricoh's fixed screen means no tilting flexibility; you have to move your body to get different angles.

Sony’s A6400 upgrades your shooting comfort significantly with a touchscreen LCD that tilts up 180 degrees for selfies or vlogging, and down for low-angle shots. It also includes a 2.36 million-dot electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.7x magnification, invaluable for bright conditions or detailed manual composition.

Personally, I find electronic viewfinders indispensable for professional-grade framing, and touchscreens accelerate menu navigation and focus point selection. If you often shoot in bright sunlight or vary your shooting angles, the A6400’s interface will win you over.

Autofocus and Performance: Hunting Sharp Focus

Both cameras use contrast-detection autofocus systems, but their capabilities differ vastly.

• Ricoh CX5: Single autofocus mode, no continuous or tracking AF, no eye or face detection, unknown number of focus points, contrast-detection only.
• Sony A6400: Hybrid autofocus with phase-detection and contrast-detection, 425 AF points covering most of the frame, real-time eye autofocus for humans and animals, continuous autofocus and tracking.

In practical terms, the Sony can keep up with subjects moving unpredictably - essential for wildlife, sports, and event photography. The face and eye detection further improve portrait sharpness, especially when shooting wide apertures with shallow depth of field.

The Ricoh CX5 will focus well for static or slow-moving subjects but struggles with anything fast or erratic, leading to missed shots or focus hunting.

For action photographers or those wanting consistent critical sharpness, the Sony’s autofocus is next-level performance.

Lens Ecosystem: Fixed Zoom vs. Expandable Arsenal

Ricoh’s CX5 packages a fixed 28-300mm (equivalent, 10.7x zoom) lens with a modest f/3.5-5.6 aperture. This all-in-one solution is convenient but restricts your creative lens choices. The macro focus down to 1cm is a plus for close-up exploration, but optical quality naturally trades off at the extremes of such a broad zoom.

With the Sony A6400, the camera body accepts Sony’s extensive E-mount lens family, with over 120 native options ranging from fast primes to super telephoto zooms. Whether you’re into portraits with creamy bokeh, ultra-wide landscapes, or macro close-ups, there’s glass tailored to your style and budget.

The lens ecosystem often defines a camera’s long-term value, and the A6400’s flexibility is unmatched compared to the CX5’s fixed lens.

Battery Life & Storage: Shooting Duration and Data Management

Ricoh CX5 uses the DB-100 battery, with no explicit manufacturer-stated battery life. Anecdotally, I’ve found it sufficient for casual days but not marathon shooting sessions, with some caveats for capacity fading over years.

Sony A6400 offers a substantial improvement here - rated at approximately 410 shots per charge, made possible partly due to better power management. For extended outings, you can invest in extra NP-FW50 battery packs or an external USB power bank adapter.

Both cameras accept SD/SDHC cards, but the Sony also can take SDXC cards and supports the popular UHS-I standard, providing faster write speeds to handle large RAW files and 4K video.

Video Features: Casual Clips or Professional Content?

Ricoh CX5 shoots video in Motion JPEG up to 1280x720 at 30 fps. While serviceable for casual sharing, the codec and resolution are outdated, lacking manual video controls or advanced options.

Sony A6400 steps up significantly with 4K UHD capture at 30 fps, using efficient XAVC S compression. Audio is supported via a dedicated microphone input - a boon for content creators and videographers who need quality sound. Although it lacks a headphone jack for monitoring, the camera provides manual exposure, focus, and profiles for cinematic footage.

If video matters to your workflow, the A6400’s flexibility and image quality put it leagues ahead.

Build Quality and Environmental Sealing: Adventure Ready?

The Ricoh CX5 is a modestly built compact camera without environmental sealing, dustproofing, or waterproofing. Treat it gently, and it will last - but it’s certainly not a rugged companion.

Sony A6400 has a weather-sealed magnesium alloy body offering protection from dust and moisture, making it far more reliable for outdoor, travel, and professional assignments that expose gear to challenging conditions.

If your photography takes you off the beaten path, or you shoot in less-than-ideal weather, the Sony's build maximizes peace of mind.

Real-World Application by Photography Genre

Portraits: Skin Tones & Bokeh Brilliance

The Sony’s 24MP APS-C sensor paired with fast lenses and eye-AF means you’ll capture crisp portraits with beautiful skin tones and creamy, defocused backgrounds to isolate subjects. The Ricoh can produce pleasant shots in good light but lacks the sensor size and AF sophistication for professional-grade portraits.

Landscapes: Dynamic Range & Resolution

Landscape shooters prize detail and dynamic range. The Sony’s larger sensor with 14+ stops of dynamic range (per DXO Mark) lets you recover shadows and highlights effortlessly. The Ricoh’s 10MP sensor and limited dynamic range will be apparent in harsh daylight or sunrise/sunset shots.

Wildlife & Sports: Autofocus and Burst Rates

Burst mode speed: Ricoh’s 5fps versus Sony’s 11fps continuous shooting. The A6400’s extensive AF coverage and tracking make it a solid choice for birds in flight or fast action. The CX5 is better suited for still subjects or reluctant movers.

Street Photography: Discretion & Portability

Here, the CX5 shines with stealthy size and quiet operation. It won’t attract attention like a mirrorless camera. Sony is more ambitious but can still work discreetly with practice - just not as pocketable.

Macro: Close-up Precision

Ricoh offers 1cm minimum focus for super close macro, convenient for beginners. Sony’s macro prowess depends on your lens choice but can provide sharper results with dedicated lens optics.

Night & Astrophotography: Low Light Prowess

Sony’s high ISO capabilities, low noise, and manual exposure controls make it excellent in challenging light, including astrophotography using long exposures. The Ricoh’s sensor noise and limited ISO cap reduce performance here.

Video Usage: Casual or Creator-Level?

Ricoh's video function is basic; Sony supports 4K, manual controls, external microphones - perfect for vloggers and pros.

Travel and Everyday Use

Ricoh is a grab-and-go travel companion, with simplicity at the center. Sony demands a bit more careful packing and management but rewards users with image quality and versatility.

Professional Workflow

Sony’s RAW support, fast buffer, and integration into professional editing pipelines put it firmly into semi-pro and pro workflows. Ricoh’s JPEG-only output limits post-processing flexibility.

Connectivity and Modern Features: Staying Current

Ricoh CX5 has no wireless or Bluetooth connectivity, relying purely on USB 2.0 for file transfers. Sony A6400 boasts built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth, allowing easy image sharing, remote control via your smartphone, and firmware updates.

For photographers who like managing images on the go or controlling the camera remotely, Sony’s ecosystem makes life easier.

Price-to-Performance: Budget vs Capability

At the time of launch, Ricoh CX5 sat around $400, the Sony A6400 about $900. Today, the CX5 is widely available under $200-300 on used markets, while the A6400 hovers in the $700-900 bracket, depending on kit options.

Put bluntly: You get what you pay for. The Ricoh is for casual shooters or cheapskates (no shame!), serving as a basic all-in-one point-and-shoot. The Sony commands a premium but delivers professional-grade image quality, versatility, and future-proofing.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Ricoh CX5 front Ricoh CX5 screen back Sony A6400 front Sony A6400 screen back

Here you can see side-by-side image samples - the Sony captures finer detail, richer tones, and better low-light shots, whereas the Ricoh suffices for daylight snapshots and easy sharing.

Industry performance ratings clearly favor the A6400 across all metrics except size and portability.

A final breakdown by genre confirms the Sony’s dominance for professionals and enthusiasts across portraits, landscapes, and sports, while Ricoh remains a convenient option for casual travel and street photography.

Who Should Buy the Ricoh CX5?

• Absolute beginners or casual users wanting a zoom-all-in-one pocket camera
• Travelers seeking ultra-compact gear with simple operation
• Budget-conscious shooters not interested in manual controls or RAW files
• Those who prioritize convenience over image quality or speed

Who Should Lean Towards the Sony A6400?

• Enthusiast photographers desiring professional image quality
• Content creators needing advanced video features and AF
• Wildlife, sports, and event shooters who require fast continuous shooting and tracking
• Lens collectors and creatives who want flexibility and growth potential
• Travelers willing to carry a more substantial setup for better results

Final Verdict: Choosing Your Road Ahead

From my experience handling both models extensively, the choice seems clearer the moment you define your priorities.

The Ricoh CX5 stands as a testament to the compact superzoom niche from a decade ago: solid for simple, carefree shooting and convenience. It is practical in its limitations, perfect for 'grab and shoot' without fuss.

The Sony A6400 remains a standout mirrorless camera that still punches above its weight years after launch. Its sensor size, autofocus system, and versatile lens mount deliver results that satisfy both creative aspirations and professional demands.

If you’re a photography enthusiast looking for durable, high-quality images, and robust video, investing in the Sony A6400 (or its modern cousins) pays off handsomely. If you want an affordable, travel-friendly compact with decent zoom and don’t plan to do intricate editing or shooting fast action, the Ricoh CX5 can be a surprisingly capable companion.

I hope this detailed face-off brings clarity beyond just numbers. Remember: your best camera is the one that fits your hand, workflow, and budget while inspiring you to capture the moment beautifully. Happy shooting!