Ricoh CX6 vs Sony A7S II: A Comprehensive Real-World Camera Showdown

When it comes to choosing a camera, photographers face an overwhelming range of options - from small-sensor compacts to full-frame professional bodies. Today, we embark on a detailed comparison between two vastly different yet intriguing models: the Ricoh CX6, a small sensor superzoom from 2011, and the Sony A7S II, a professional-grade full-frame mirrorless powerhouse from 2015. Both cameras stand at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of design, technology, and price, yet each serves distinct photographic needs with authority.

I’ve spent extensive hands-on hours testing gear spanning every category - so let’s slice through the specs and marketing hype. This article will serve photographers ranging from hobbyists to pros seeking practical insights into everyday performance, durability, and value in portrait, landscape, wildlife, sports, macro, night, video, travel, and professional use.

To set the stage visually - here’s a size and ergonomics comparison of these two bodies:

Beyond Size: Design and Controls Under the Hood

Sony’s A7S II follows the conventional SLR-style mirrorless design, boasting a robust magnesium alloy body with weather sealing, thumb dials, and a deep grip lending confidence during prolonged shoots. The Ricoh CX6, by contrast, is a compact superzoom weighing just 201g with a plastic shell focused primarily on portability.

Here’s the top view that highlights their vastly different approach to user interface and control layout:

The A7S II features dedicated dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and a customizable function button array, ideal for swift adjustments - a must-have in demanding scenarios. The CX6 relies on a minimalist approach with limited physical controls - largely dependent on menus - making it less suitable for photographers who value tactile, immediate manual control.

If you prioritize manual exposure modes and customizability, the A7S II sets a clear precedent, especially given the CX6’s more basic exposure compensation and lack of RAW support.

Sensor Technology: Tiny vs Full-Frame - The Image Quality Divide

Here lies the most fundamental difference: the Ricoh CX6’s 1/2.3" CMOS sensor, offering a modest 10MP resolution, versus the Sony A7S II’s full-frame CMOS sensor packing 12MP targeted toward low-light and video prowess.

Let’s visualize the sensor size difference and think about what it means for image quality:

To put this in perspective: The CX6’s sensor area rounds to roughly 28 mm², while the A7S II commands an enormous 847 mm² - nearly 30 times larger. This translates to better dynamic range, higher ISO performance, improved color depth, and shallow depth-of-field control at the A7S II’s advantage. During tests, the A7S II regularly delivered images with cleaner shadows and richer color nuance, especially in challenging lighting.

For photographers demanding the finest image quality, particularly in portraits and landscapes where detail and dynamic range matter, the A7S II is a game-changer. The CX6, while decent as a point-and-shoot, suffers from noise at ISO 800 and above and limited post-processing flexibility due to lack of RAW capture.

Painting with Light: Screen and Viewfinder Usability

Both cameras sport a 3-inch LCD screen of roughly similar resolution (~1230 pixels), but their interface capabilities diverge - the Ricoh has a fixed Sony WhiteMagic LCD, while the Sony comes equipped with a tilting screen and an electronic viewfinder (EVF).

Here’s a direct look at their back screens:

The A7S II’s EVF offers 100% coverage with sharp 2.36M-dot resolution and 0.78x magnification - an invaluable tool for composing in bright conditions and manual focusing with precision. Ricoh CX6’s lack of any viewfinder confines the experience to LCD framing, which can be cumbersome in harsh sunlight.

The CX6’s lack of touchscreen and limited live-view autofocus restricts fluid navigation and focusing capabilities. In contrast, the A7S II’s interface supports face detection and continuous AF, elevating usability across a range of situations. The dedicated customizable buttons also improve workflow speed for pros.

Face Off in Real Scenes: Image Samples and Output Quality

No comparison is complete without showing actual results. I’ve included a gallery featuring side-by-side captures covering various conditions from each camera to help illustrate the performance gap:

Ricoh CX6 front Ricoh CX6 screen back Sony A7S II front Sony A7S II screen back

• Portraits: The A7S II’s bigger sensor and wider aperture lenses create smooth bokeh and excellent skin tone rendition. The CX6 delivers acceptable portraits but exhibits more background detail and slightly washed skin tones, common to smaller sensors.

• Landscape: The A7S II impresses with superior dynamic range and fine detail even in shadow areas. The CX6’s limited resolution and smaller sensor struggle to keep highlight detail on bright skies.

• Low Light & Night: The A7S II consistently outperforms the CX6 when ambient light drops - its max ISO 102,400 option opens creative possibilities far beyond the CX6’s ISO 3200 ceiling.

Overall, these images underscore the A7S II’s advantage in both technical quality and creative control.

How Do They Perform? A Numerical Outlook on Overall Capability

To establish an objective reference point, we can examine performance scores encompassing sensor, autofocus, build quality, and more:

Sony’s A7S II earns an impressive 85 overall on DxOMark’s scale, reflecting exceptional sensor quality and low-light capabilities. The Ricoh CX6 remains untested on the site, but judging from sensor specs and output, it would rate considerably lower.

While scores offer a useful snapshot, keep in mind the CX6 was designed over half a decade earlier explicitly as a compact travel companion - not as a professional imaging tool.

Tailoring Cameras to Specific Genres - Strengths and Weaknesses

Photographers work in varied disciplines, so let’s apply these bodies to practical use categories with a scoring overview:

Portrait Photography

• Sony A7S II wins hands down with eye/face detection AF, larger sensor for bokeh, excellent skin tones, and RAW support.
• Ricoh CX6 handles casual portraits but lacks continuous AF or face detection.

Landscape Photography

• The A7S II’s dynamic range and detail domination make it ideal.
• The CX6’s fixed lens and limited resolution curb fine art landscape potential.

Wildlife and Sports

• Surprisingly close in burst rate (both 5fps), but Sony’s tracking AF and telephoto lens versatility empower it firmly here.
• CX6’s long zoom range is attractive but AF lag and sensor limit usability.

Street and Travel Photography

• The compact CX6 shines in portability and discretion - ideal for inconspicuous shooting.
• The A7S II, bulkier but versatile, excels with superior image quality and interchangeable lenses - a compromise for serious travel photographers.

Macro and Night/Astro Photography

• CX6’s impressive macro focusing distance (1cm) offers casual close-ups.
• A7S II’s low-noise sensor and higher ISO scale make it superb for astrophotography.

Video Capabilities

• A7S II supports 4K 30fps, Full HD up to 120fps, microphone and headphone jacks, and 5-axis image stabilization.
• CX6 limited to 720p video and lacks audio ports or advanced video features.

Technical Deep Dive: Autofocus Systems & Stabilization

The Ricoh CX6 employs a contrast-detection autofocus limited to single AF with no continuous AF or tracking. In practice, this translates into slower focusing speed and challenges in capturing fast-moving subjects or tracking eyes - a significant drawback for wildlife, sports, or candid portraiture.

The Sony A7S II, on the other hand, boasts 169 focus points with face detection, single and continuous AF, and tracking functionality - making it adept at following dynamic subjects. The implementation of on-sensor phase detection is absent, relying on contrast detection, but overall AF speed and accuracy remain excellent due to its advanced algorithms.

Furthermore, the A7S II’s 5-axis sensor-based image stabilization vastly outperforms the CX6’s sensor-shift stabilization, offering markedly steadier results in handheld shooting - especially crucial for video and low-light stills alike. For photographers who depend on stabilization to supplement lenses without OSS or to shoot at slow shutter speeds handheld, the Sony system proves invaluable.

Build Quality, Durability, and Weather Resistance

The A7S II features solid construction with magnesium alloy weather sealing against moisture and dust - important for professionals shooting in harsh environments.

The Ricoh CX6, intended as a lightweight and affordable superzoom compact, lacks any weather sealing or ruggedization. Its plastic chassis feels less durable, which is a consideration if your photography frequently places you outdoors or in hostile conditions.

Lenses and Ecosystem Flexibility

The Sony A7S II’s E-mount ecosystem includes over 120 native lenses from Sony and third-party manufacturers, covering every focal length and aperture imaginable - from ultra-wide primes and fast portraits to massive telephotos. This versatility is a key advantage for the serious enthusiast or professional.

The CX6, with its fixed 28-300mm (10.7x) zoom lens, offers convenience but limits creative control. It cannot swap lenses and has a maximum aperture range of f/3.5-5.6, restricting low-light capabilities. That said, this single-lens design simplifies travel and casual use.

Battery Life and Storage

Sony A7S II’s NP-FW50 battery delivers relatively conservative endurance for a full-frame mirrorless: approximately 370 shots per charge, which I found adequate for most shooting days but best complemented by spare batteries.

Ricoh CX6’s battery life info is sparse, but compact cameras like this typically manage a few hundred shots per charge. It utilizes SD/SDHC cards, similar to the Sony’s support for SD/SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick formats - an advantage if you mix systems.

Connectivity and Wireless Functionality

The CX6 offers Eye-Fi Connected wireless capabilities enabling remote data transfers, albeit through proprietary and dated wireless tech.

A7S II integrates built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, facilitating image transfer, remote camera control via smartphone apps, and faster workflow integration - keys for modern photographers who upload or stream images often.

Physical connectivity further favors the Sony with microphone and headphone jacks, HDMI output, and USB ports, supporting video recording needs the CX6 cannot match.

Price vs Performance: Who Benefits From Which Camera?

At launch pricing, the difference is stark: the Ricoh CX6 came in at roughly $595, while the Sony A7S II commanded over $2,700. That’s a significant premium, justified by its professional-grade sensor, advanced features, cinematic video capability, and build quality.

If your budget is limited and you prioritize portability and reach over image quality - for example, casual travel, family snapshots, or beginner street shooting - the CX6 remains a compact superzoom contender.

If image quality, low-light performance, video production, and professional reliability matter, the Sony A7S II is a powerhouse that rewards investment. Its adaptability across genres makes it suitable for professionals and serious enthusiasts.

Final Verdict: Practical Recommendations Based on Use Case

Summarizing the Experience

The Ricoh CX6 and Sony A7S II scarcely inhabit the same category, yet a side-by-side comparison highlights how diverse photographic needs dictate equipment choice. The CX6 excels as a convenient, all-in-one superzoom for casual users prioritizing portability. The A7S II shines as a highly capable professional and enthusiast camera, combining exceptional sensor performance, robust autofocus, and advanced video features.

When I first tested the Ricoh CX6, its simplicity and zoom reach intrigued me, but repeated use revealed inherent limitations in creative control and image fidelity. The Sony A7S II, in contrast, felt like a versatile creative workhorse, performing reliably in every scenario thrown my way - from fast-moving subjects to astro sessions - even if it demands a learning curve and wallet investment.

In the end, the question shifts: Do you want a lightweight tool that gets you decent pictures with minimal fuss, or an investment in photographic excellence capable of industry standard output? Your answer will guide you to one of these two wildly different yet compelling cameras.

If you want an expert-backed recommendation tailored to your photographic ambitions, feel free to reach out. I've tested both extensively and can help align your goals with gear that truly delivers.

Article Images Source: Personal photography studio test sessions, manufacturer data, and DxOMark analytics.