Ricoh CX5 vs Sony WX9: A Hands-On Comparison of 2011 Budget Compact Cameras for Photography Enthusiasts

Selecting a compact camera in the early 2010s was all about balancing zoom range, sensor quality, and feature sets - especially when considering models on a strict budget. The Ricoh CX5 and Sony WX9 are two contenders from 2011 that represent different philosophies in small-sensor, superzoom cameras. Having spent weeks shooting with both, testing their ergonomics, image quality, autofocus behavior, and real-world versatility, I’m here to help you decide which suits your photography style and budget.

Let’s dive deep on how these two stack up across all major photography types, technical specs, and day-to-day usability - with candid pros and cons and practical buying tips. (And yes, I’ll admit when either model falls short and where it surprises.)

First Impressions Matter: Size, Handling, and Controls

Before firing up the shutter, holding a camera in your hands can tell you volumes about its usability.

The Ricoh CX5 sports a moderately chunky compact body measuring 102 × 59 × 29mm and weighing about 205g - solid but still pocket-friendly for everyday carry. The Sony WX9 is smaller and slimmer at 95 × 56 × 20mm and noticeably lighter (weight officially unlisted but roughly around 130g), making it easier to slip into a coat pocket or purse.

While the CX5 offers a balanced and comfortable grip with clever ramps and textured surfaces, the WX9’s ultracompact body sacrifices some handling comfort for portability. If you have larger hands or plan to shoot extensively, you'll appreciate the CX5’s more substantial clubhouse for your thumbs.

On top, the CX5 features a clean, tactile control layout with dedicated mode and custom function buttons, while the WX9 trims down to basics with fewer physical controls. Both have fixed 3-inch screens (CX5: 920K dots, WX9: 921K dots), though the WX9’s Sony “XtraFine LCD” reports colors a bit more vibrantly indoors.

For photographers who want quick access to exposure compensation or manual modes, CX5’s physical dials and buttons offer an advantage over WX9’s minimalist approach, which can be fiddly if you’re used to tweaking settings on the fly.

Sensor and Image Quality: Can More Megapixels Win?

When evaluating these cameras for image quality, sensor size and technology set the starting point. Both cameras use 1/2.3" CMOS sensors measuring 6.17 by 4.55mm, but with some key differences.

• Ricoh CX5: 10MP resolution, sensor is teamed with Ricoh's proprietary Smooth Imaging Engine IV processor.
• Sony WX9: 16MP resolution (significantly higher), featuring a BSI (back-illuminated) CMOS sensor paired with Sony’s robust BIONZ engine.

In practical shooting tests, the higher resolution of the WX9 grants more detailed enlargements and better cropping latitude - especially useful for landscapes and street shooting. However, the WX9's smaller pixels sometimes translate to slightly more noise above ISO 800 compared to the CX5's larger pixels, which provide cleaner images at moderate ISOs. Neither camera supports RAW capture, so noise management falls to in-camera processing.

Regarding dynamic range, both cameras perform modestly, but the BSI sensor in WX9 delivers improved shadow detail retention in well-lit scenes. Highlight recovery is limited, so scenes with strong contrast require careful exposure management. The Ricoh CX5 tends to produce slightly warmer color tones, while Sony opts for punchier, cooler rendering.

Navigating the Menus and LCD Screens

Both cameras have fixed rear LCDs without touch capability and lack electronic viewfinders, which is common in this class.

The Sony WX9’s “XtraFine” LCD felt slightly more vibrant and contrasty, enhancing image review in bright environments. The CX5’s screen offers accurate colors but is a touch dimmer outside. Both lack articulating flexibility, which limits versatility in awkward shooting angles or vlogging-style setups.

Menu systems are logical but reflect their target audiences differently. The CX5 provides manual exposure control and more advanced tweaking options, including exposure compensation, white balance brackets, and custom white balance, appealing to enthusiasts who want more input into their shots. The WX9 lacks manual exposure modes altogether and minimizes user adjustments, targeting casual users who prefer point-and-shoot simplicity.

Autofocus, Burst Rate, and Real-World Performance

Neither camera can boast blazing AF speed or tracking finesse, but there are notable differences.

The Ricoh CX5 features a contrast-detection AF system with single-shot AF only - no continuous or tracking AF - and lacks face or eye detection. Its focus lock can be a bit slow in low light and sometimes hunts when zoomed in, but it surprised me with precise macro focusing down to 1 cm, one of the closest in this category. Image stabilization is sensor-shift type, helping correct small hand tremors with decent results.

The Sony WX9 also uses contrast-detection AF but improves responsiveness slightly and includes 9 focus points (versus unspecified on the CX5). Still, sharpness locking can hunt in dim lighting or complex scenes. The WX9 stabilizes images optically, which performs marginally better at telephoto focal lengths compared with sensor-shift.

In continuous shooting, the WX9 impresses by delivering up to 10 fps, useful for capturing fleeting moments in casual action or street sessions. The CX5 offers a slower 5 fps burst pace, which might feel limiting for wildlife or sports shooters.

Zoom & Lens Considerations: Who Has the Range?

Zoom versatility is a big selling point for these compact superzooms.

The CX5 boasts an expansive 10.7x zoom, stretching from a modest wide 28mm equivalent to a substantial 300mm telephoto. This reach is fantastic for wildlife, sports from a distance, and travel versatility, especially on a budget.

The WX9 lags with only 5x zoom, topping out at 125mm equivalent - adequate for street and travel but limiting for distant subjects. On the plus side, its lens opens wider at f/2.6 on the wide end, allowing more light in for indoor and low-light scenes, compared to the CX5's f/3.5.

Portraits and Bokeh: Which Delivers the Creamier Look?

For portraits, achieving smooth skin tones and subject isolation matters.

Both cameras struggle with shallow depth of field due to small sensors and relatively slow apertures. However, the CX5's longer zoom range can approximate tighter framing at 300mm, producing more natural background blur - albeit subtle given diffraction and sensor size. The WX9’s f/2.6 wide aperture helps indoors, but the shorter zoom limits bokeh potential.

Neither model has face or eye-detection AF, which can make nail-biting moments when shooting moving kids or pets. Skin tones rendered by CX5 tend to appear more natural, while the WX9’s images lean slightly cooler, which some find flattering for portraits.

Exploring Other Genres: Landscape, Wildlife, Sports, Street, Macro & Night

Landscape Photography

High resolution and dynamic range contribute most here. The Sony WX9’s 16MP sensor shines - its extra pixels enable large print-worthy detail and cropping flexibility. The CX5 falls short but still produces vibrant landscape shots with decent color depth.

Neither camera is weather-sealed, so outdoors macro or harsh conditions require care.

Wildlife & Sports

Here, the CX5’s extensive zoom range and sensor-shift stabilization provide a practical edge, even if the AF system isn't doorbuster fast or reliable. Expect some missed shots in fast action - no phase-detection AF or tracking to help.

WX9's higher burst rate of 10 fps is appealing for snapping kids, pets, or street sports but limited zoom reduces subject reach.

Street & Travel

The WX9’s smaller size, lighter weight, and silent shooting modes make it less obtrusive for candid street photography and comfy on long travel days.

The CX5 feels bulkier but offers more lens reach and manual control, appealing when you want creative input.

Macro Photography

CX5 brings macro focus down to 1cm, outperforming WX9’s 5cm minimum. Manual focus in CX5 aids precision, while WX9’s autofocus can struggle up close.

Night and Astro

Neither camera excels beyond basic low-light shooting due to sensor and ISO limitations (max ISO 3200). The WX9’s optical image stabilization helps in dim conditions, but both struggle with star photography due to noise and long exposures capped at 8s (CX5) and 2s (WX9).

Video Capabilities: HD, Formats, and Usability

Sony WX9 offers a more strong video package than Ricoh CX5:

WX9’s Full HD at 60fps plus AVCHD support means better footage quality, smoother motion, and compatibility with editing software. CX5’s HD only and Motion JPEG format limit video versatility and file sizes are bloated.

Neither has mic input or headphone monitoring, so serious videographers will want external gear, but casual shooters will appreciate WX9’s advanced video profile.

Durability, Battery Life & Connectivity

Both lack weather sealing or rugged features for harsh environments. This limits outdoor professional use in tough climates.

Battery life is modest in both, roughly 250-300 shots per charge - typical but possibly frustrating on extended outings without spares.

Sony’s WX9 supports Eye-Fi wireless SD cards for basic image transfer; Ricoh CX5 provides no wireless options. Neither camera offers Bluetooth or NFC.

Both have standard USB 2.0, but the Sony’s HDMI-out is a bonus for external displays or quick playback on HDTVs.

Storage and File Types

Neither supports RAW shooting, relying exclusively on JPEG outputs. This decisively limits post-processing flexibility but is standard for these classes at their time.

Memory compatibility:

• Ricoh CX5: SD/SDHC cards accepted.
• Sony WX9: Broader support including SD/SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick Pro Duo variants.

Value Assessment: Which Is the Better Bang for Your Buck?

At initial launch, the Ricoh CX5 retailed around $399, while Sony WX9 was roughly half that $188.

Given that price gap and their respective performance, the Sony WX9 truly serves as an excellent entry-level ultracompact for casual photographers prioritizing portability and video quality.

If you need more zoom range, manual control, or macro prowess, the Ricoh CX5 commands the premium but delivers it with reasonable competence.

Ricoh CX5 front Ricoh CX5 screen back Sony WX9 screen back

Scoring the Cameras: Overall and by Genre

Drawing on my hands-on evaluation and industry performance norms:

And genre-specific scores showing where each shines:

Wrapping It Up with Recommendations

Who Should Buy the Ricoh CX5?

• You want a bigger zoom range (28-300mm equivalent) for wildlife or travel versatility.
• You seek manual exposure modes and better macro focusing down to 1 cm.
• You value better build ergonomics and don’t mind a slightly larger body.
• You're willing to pay roughly double the cost for better control and range.
• Video is not a priority.

In short, CX5 fits enthusiasts and semi-pros who want an affordable superzoom with more creative control - not perfect, but well-rounded.

Who Should Buy the Sony WX9?

• You want an ultracompact, pocketable camera for travel and street photography.
• Full HD video at 60fps and AVCHD format compatibility matter.
• Higher megapixel count (16MP) for more detailed stills is appealing.
• You prefer simplicity without messing with manual controls.
• Price is a major factor - the WX9 offers excellent value under $200.

Great as a second compact for casual shooters, vloggers, or travelers who value portability and video recording.

Final Thoughts - The Good & The Bad

Ricoh CX5 Pros:

• Extensive 10.7x zoom, useful for diverse situations.
• Manual exposure control options.
• Macro focus as close as 1 cm.
• Sensor-shift image stabilization effective.

Ricoh CX5 Cons:

• No RAW support - limits editing.
• Slow autofocus, no tracking or face detection.
• No wireless connectivity or HDMI out.
• Video limited to 720p MJPEG.

Sony WX9 Pros:

• Compact, pocketable design.
• 16MP BSI CMOS sensor delivers sharp images.
• Optical stabilization outperforms in telephoto.
• Full HD video @ 60fps, AVCHD support, HDMI out.
• Lower price point.

Sony WX9 Cons:

• Limited 5x zoom range reduces versatility.
• No manual exposure controls.
• Macro distance limited to 5 cm.
• Only contrast-detection AF with modest speed.

In the realm of compact, small-sensor cameras from 2011, the Ricoh CX5 and Sony WX9 cater to slightly different clientele. I hope this comprehensive, no-nonsense comparison guides you toward a choice that fits your photographic ambitions and wallet. Remember - the best camera is the one you’ll actually carry and enjoy shooting with.

Happy snapping!