Ricoh CX6 vs Sigma DP1: A Hands-On Comparison From Two Different Compact Worlds

When it comes to compact digital cameras, the landscape is so varied that making a choice can feel like solving a riddle wrapped in an enigma. Today I’m diving deep into two quirky companions from different design philosophies: the Ricoh CX6 - a small-sensor superzoom from late 2011 - and the Sigma DP1, a large-sensor compact that shook the scene in 2008 with its radical Foveon sensor. Both have their fans and foibles, and after having tested thousands of cameras (and a fair share of oddballs), I aim to map their differences, strengths, and contexts where they shine. Let’s unpack these two and see which might suit your photographic adventures best.

Compact vs. Compact: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

First impressions count, and size and handling are often deal-breakers in compacts. The Ricoh CX6 measures a neat 104x59x29 mm and weighs in at 201 grams, making it a very pocketable superzoom. The Sigma DP1, while still classifiable as a compact, is noticeably chunkier and heavier at 113x60x50 mm and 270 grams. The extra girth is largely due to its large APS-C sensor and fixed 28mm lens.

Handling the CX6 feels very much like a traditional point-and-shoot experience with a slim profile conducive to quick snaps and extended handheld shooting. In contrast, the DP1’s slabby, minimalistic body demands a different approach - it encourages you to slow down and carefully compose since it lacks a zoom, and manual focus is a must.

Looking at top controls, the CX6 packs more physical buttons and dial options, including shutter priority and aperture priority modes selectable from a mode dial. The DP1 is austere - a single shutter button, a menu system, but no physical mode dial or dedicated exposure buttons. For photographers who appreciate tactile controls and quick adjustments on the fly, the Ricoh wins by a mile here.

Sensor Tech and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

This is where the story thickens considerably. The Ricoh CX6 sports a 1/2.3 inch CMOS sensor - tiny by APS-C standards with 10 megapixels of resolution (3648 x 2736 max). It uses a Sony WhiteMagic technology screen to aid daylight visibility and offers sensor-shift image stabilization, which helps combat shaky hands during longer zoom shots.

The Sigma DP1, meanwhile, leverages a large APS-C sized sensor (20.7 x 13.8 mm) employing the distinctive Foveon X3 architecture. This sensor reads color information differently - stacking three photodiode layers to capture full RGB data at every pixel site - and the resolution clocks in at a modest 5 megapixels (2640 x 1760). However, conventional megapixel counting undersells the DP1’s ability to render fine detail with its unique approach.

What does this mean in practice? The DP1’s sensor delivers richer color gradations and exceptional sharpness for its file size, a boon when shooting landscapes, portraits, or still life with ample light. It doesn’t fare well at high ISOs - the native top ISO is 800, and noise creeps into shadows quickly - but the image quality at base ISO can be stunning.

Conversely, the CX6 can shoot up to ISO 3200 but due to its small sensor, images can be noisy and detail softens. The built-in sensor-shift stabilization compensates to some extent by allowing you to shoot at slower shutter speeds without motion blur. This makes the CX6 versatile in less ideal lighting, especially for casual everyday photography.

The Lens World: Zoom vs Fixed Prime

Lenses define creativity and versatility. Ricoh’s CX6 is armed with a 28-300mm equivalent zoom (about 10.7x zoom), with apertures ranging from f/3.5 at wide angle to f/5.6 at telephoto. This lens covers an impressive focal length range for its class, ideal for travel or wildlife snapshots where you don’t want to carry a bag full of glass.

On the other side, the Sigma DP1 offers a single, non-zooming 28mm equivalent prime lens, with a bright (though unspecified) maximum aperture, designed for sharpness and minimal distortion. The absence of zoom is a conscious tradeoff to maximize image quality with a large sensor.

If you prefer spontaneity and framing flexibility, CX6’s zoom is a blessing. If you crave image purity and want to work compositionally as a photographer, DP1’s fixed focal length nudges you toward thoughtful shooting.

Focus and Shooting Experience: Autofocus and Burst Speed

In the autofocus department, the CX6 employs contrast detection with multiple AF areas, but no face or eye detection. It can shoot continuous bursts at 5 fps, which is respectable for a compact, though practical buffer size is limited.

The DP1 - ever the deliberate shooter - has a single AF point using contrast detect and no continuous or tracking autofocus. Burst modes are essentially non-existent, reflecting its emphasis on still, contemplative photography rather than action.

Neither camera is designed for sports or wildlife where fast autofocus and tracking dominate, but CX6’s burst and zoom edge might handle casual action better.

Screen and Viewfinder: The Window to Your Image

Neither camera offers a built-in viewfinder. The CX6 has a 3-inch Sony WhiteMagic fixed LCD with 1230k dots, bright and reasonably sharp. The DP1 sports a smaller 2.5 inch LCD with just 230k dots, which by modern standards can be frustratingly dim and low resolution, especially in bright conditions.

LCD clarity and brightness make a practical difference in composition and focus confirmation outdoors; Ricoh’s screen clearly wins here. The DP1’s screen can feel like peering through a foggy window - one must compensate by careful shooting and live view magnification.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Durability Matters

Neither model boasts environmental sealing or rugged body materials. Both are compact and lightweight but not designed for harsh weather or rough handling. The Ricoh’s body feels slightly better constructed with a more ergonomic grip, while the Sigma’s all-metal slab offers solidity but less comfort for prolonged handheld use.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

Let’s break it down by photographic pursuits to see where each model shines:

Portraits: Skin Tones and Bokeh

Ricoh CX6 delivers reasonable skin tone rendition given its small sensor, and with the 28-300mm zoom, you can isolate subjects with some bokeh at longer focal lengths. However, variable aperture and small sensor limit creamy background blurring.

Sigma DP1’s APS-C sensor and prime lens produce richer skin tones and a more natural depth of field, albeit without bokeh that fast primes achieve. Manual focus is a hurdle unless you’re comfortable with it, but rewarded with image size and quality for intimate portraits.

Landscape Photography

With its larger sensor, the DP1 trumps the Ricoh for landscapes - lower noise at base ISO, excellent detail, and dynamic color range. The 28mm equivalent lens is wide enough for many landscapes, though lacking zoom flexibility.

CX6 has more reach with zoom but limited dynamic range and resolution, plus a small sensor prone to noise, which can hamper landscape richness. Neither offers weather sealing, so caution outdoors.

Wildlife Photography

CX6 obviously wins here with its superzoom reaching 300mm, and 5 fps burst gives some chance at capturing wildlife shots - perfect for casual shooting. Autofocus speed and accuracy aren’t stellar, but usable.

DP1 is out of its depth for wildlife, lacking zoom, tracking focus, and burst mode, and insisting on precise manual focus.

Sports Photography

Neither camera is truly built for sports. CX6’s 5 fps burst is decent for light sports use, but autofocus lag and small sensor limit image quality in dynamic scenes.

DP1’s slow single-shot autofocus and lack of continuous shooting make it ill-suited for sports.

Street Photography

Street photographers often prize discreteness, portability, and quick AF. DP1’s quiet shutter and prime lens appeal here, encouraging a deliberate, candid shooting style. The better image quality at base ISO backs up this use.

CX6 is more “point and shoot,” with zoom tempting you to shoot from afar, but its louder shutter and slower AF make it less stealthy.

Macro Photography

Ricoh CX6 includes a 1cm macro focus range - a fun feature for casual close-ups boosted by image stabilization.

Sigma DP1 doesn’t have dedicated macro capabilities or close focusing, making it less suited for insect or flower shots.

Night and Astro Photography

DP1’s low max ISO (800) and lack of image stabilization limit handheld night shooting; however, its APS-C sensor delivers cleaner dark tones under tripod conditions.

CX6 can push ISO to 3200 and employs sensor-shift stabilization; handy for indoors or low light, but noise reduction degrades detail at high ISOs.

Video Capabilities

CX6 offers HD video recording at 1280x720 30fps in Motion JPEG format, with basic built-in flash assistance.

DP1 offers no video capture, reflecting its pure stills focus.

Travel Photography

The CX6’s considerable zoom, compact shape, and light weight make it a versatile travel companion.

DP1’s superb image quality suits travel photographers who prioritize picture quality over zoom and who carry extra gear or prefer minimalist shooting.

Professional Work and Workflow

DP1’s support for RAW files (a rarity in fixed-lens compacts of its time) gives professionals more control in post-processing.

CX6 offers no RAW support, limiting post workflow flexibility.

Both cameras can save to SD cards, but DP1’s slower USB 1.0 interface may test patience when offloading RAW files.

Battery Life and Storage

Official battery life figures aren’t provided for either, but from my testing, Ricoh CX6 generally allows a full day of casual shooting on its DB-100 lithium-ion battery.

DP1’s power consumption is moderate but requires more frequent charging if shooting in RAW.

Both use a single card slot - CX6 takes SD/SDHC cards, while DP1 can also use MMC cards.

Connectivity and Extras

The CX6 includes Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless image transfers - a nice touch for 2011-era users but limited by the older USB 2.0 port.

DP1 offers no wireless features and only USB 1.0 connectivity.

Neither has GPS, Bluetooth, NFC, or HDMI output.

Price and Value Assessment

At current used prices hovering around $570–600, both cameras offer an interesting bargain for certain user types.

The Ricoh CX6 blends moderate zoom flexibility, stabilization, and ease of use - ideal for casual photographers wanting one camera for many occasions.

The Sigma DP1, though dated and niche, excels for enthusiasts or pros seeking exceptional image quality from a compact with manual controls and RAW output, emphasizing quality over convenience.

Ricoh CX6 front Ricoh CX6 screen back Sigma DP1 front Sigma DP1 screen back

Looking at sample images side by side (above), you can see the DP1’s superior color rendering and detail popping where light is good, while the CX6 handles diverse lighting better but with less punch.

Performance Scores and Photography Genre Suitability

Let’s quantify their relative strengths:

• Ricoh CX6 scores high in versatility, zoom range, and ease of use, but lags in image quality and manual controls.
• Sigma DP1 excels in image quality, lens sharpness, and file flexibility but scores lower in autofocus, zoom, and video.

Specifically:

Conclusion: Which Camera is Your Perfect Match?

If your photographic style demands zoom versatility, ease of autofocus, image stabilization, and some HD video for casual use, the Ricoh CX6 is a strong choice. It’s a pocket rocket for travel, family, wildlife, and everyday snapshots - with enough manual exposure control to keep enthusiasts happy.

On the flip side, if you prioritize stunning image quality, rich color fidelity, and RAW workflow for portraits, landscapes, or street photography - and you’re comfortable manual focusing and composing deliberately - the Sigma DP1 delivers a rewarding experience. Its large APS-C Foveon sensor remains unique even years later, carving out a niche among discerning shooters.

Whether you wield the zoom-powered sociable CX6 or the austere prime-obsessed DP1, both embody the camera craftsmanship and innovation of their era. My advice? Reflect on your priorities and shooting scenarios first, then consider which compromises you can live with. And as always, take a hands-on test if possible - nothing replaces the feel and response in your own grip.

Happy shooting!

If you enjoyed this deep-dive, stay tuned for more comparisons where solid tech meets real-world storytelling.