Ricoh G900 vs. Sony RX1: A Thorough Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Choosing between the Ricoh G900 and the Sony RX1 is a study in contrasts that reflect different photography philosophies, technologies, and use cases. Despite both being compact-style cameras with fixed lenses, these two models cater to sharply divergent needs - one built for rugged versatility and the other for uncompromising image quality in a pocketable form. Having spent weeks in the field testing both models across multiple genres - from landscape vistas to fast-paced street photography - I’ll walk you through how they perform, where they shine, and for whom each camera makes sense.

Let's dig in.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

When I unpacked these cameras side-by-side, the most obvious difference was their physical presence. The Ricoh G900 carries a compact but rugged moniker, whereas the Sony RX1 feels like a compact powerhouse weighted with serious photographic intent.

Ricoh G900: Rugged Portability Meets Practicality

At just 247 grams and 118x66x33mm, the Ricoh G900 feels light and manageable. It’s designed for the outdoors person or professional who prioritizes durability. The G900 is waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, crushproof, and freezeproof - testaments that it can sustain tough environments from rain-soaked hikes to dusty construction sites.

Its ergonomics cater to one-handed operation with textured grips and minimalistic control layout. However, the lack of a dedicated viewfinder or tiltable screen means you sometimes have to compromise on compositional flexibility. It’s more a “push-button and shoot” approach, emphasizing rugged utility over creative control.

Sony RX1: Compact Luxury with a Serious Feel

In contrast, the RX1 is nearly twice the weight at 482 grams and measures 113x65x70mm, a bit chunkier - largely because of its full-frame sensor wedged into a compact body with a high-quality fixed lens. It feels solid and substantial, commanding attention for photographers used to bigger kit but craving minimalism.

It offers an optional electronic or optical viewfinder, integrated flash, and a slightly better screen in both resolution and quality, giving you more options to frame and review images carefully.

The top view layout and button placement reveal a more traditional exposure control scheme, supporting shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual modes, easy to access quickly - a boon for those who want fast settings adjustments in the field.

Imaging Sensors and Image Quality: The Technological Heartbeat

The Ricoh G900 and Sony RX1 could not be more different under the hood in terms of sensor technology, impacting image quality, depth of field, and ISO performance dramatically.

Ricoh G900 - 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS Sensor

Sporting a 20MP 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor, the G900 is akin to many rugged compacts in this category. The pixel pitch and sensor area (28.07 mm²) limit its dynamic range and noise control in low light but provide reasonable detail for everyday snapshots and documentation work.

I tested its performance in controlled lighting and outdoors; color rendition is faithful though slightly muted compared to premium compacts. The built-in anti-aliasing filter and smaller sensor mean it struggles a little with fine detail capture and resolving power, especially when pixel-peeping on large prints.

Sony RX1 - 35mm Full-Frame CMOS Sensor

On the opposite end, the RX1 sports a full-frame 24MP CMOS sensor with 852.04 mm² sensor area, a difference that’s night and day in both image quality and creative potential. This sensor delivers exceptional color depth (DxO score: 25.1), dynamic range (14.3 EV), and low-light sensitivity (ISO noise performance at 2534 DxO Low Light ISO), enabling images with superb tonal nuance and minimal grain in challenging conditions.

The RX1 is equipped with a high-quality anti-alias filter and lens aperture range from f/2.0 to f/22, enabling exquisite control over depth of field - something that the G900 cannot match given its smaller sensor and slower f/3.5-5.5 lens.

Autofocus, Metering, and Exposure Control: Speed and Accuracy

When push comes to shove, autofocus capabilities and exposure control determine how effectively a camera can keep up with your creativity or the unpredictable moments you want to capture.

Ricoh G900 Autofocus

The G900 utilizes contrast-detection autofocus with 9 focus points. Despite the limited focus points and the absence of phase-detection autofocus, the inclusion of continuous AF and face detection helps considerably, especially for portrait and casual shooting.

In practice, the contrast-detection system slows down noticeably under low light or complex scenes, which is expected for this class of camera. Tracking fast-moving subjects (sports or wildlife) is not ideal - focus hunts occur often. Still, for macro shots or landscape - subjects that are static or slow-moving - the autofocus performs reliably.

Exposure modes are limited; aperture and shutter priority are absent, which may frustrate serious photographers who want more creative control.

Sony RX1 Autofocus

The RX1 contrasts strongly, featuring 25 contrast-detection points with continuous AF, single AF, tracking, and selective AF. Its autofocus is responsive and capable of locking focus swiftly, particularly in good light.

The implementation benefits from a larger sensor’s data and more refined algorithms, producing accurate face detection and tracking on complex scenes - a plus for portraiture and street photography.

Exposure modes are extensive, including aperture priority, shutter priority, manual mode, and exposure compensation, allowing full creative expression.

Lens Quality and Focal Range: Versatility vs. Optical Excellence

Fixed lens cameras are a compromise by definition. The question is whether the lens suits your preferred photographic style.

Ricoh G900 Lens: 28-140mm f/3.5-5.5

The G900’s 5x zoom covers a range from a wide-angle 28mm equivalent through mid-telephoto 140mm, giving the camera versatility for landscapes, portraits, and short telephoto work.

The maximum aperture is modest (f/3.5-5.5), which limits background blur and low-light capabilities. The lens shines for documentation photography, outdoor shooting, and travel situations where flexibility is key. Macro focus is a strength here, with a precious minimum focus range of 1cm allowing close-up shots. Image stabilization is digital only - which helps reduce blur but can’t match optical IS in smoothing large shakes.

Sony RX1 Lens: 35mm f/2.0 Zeiss Sonnar

The RX1’s fixed 35mm prime with a fast f/2.0 aperture is a classic photographer’s lens - sharp, punchy, and capable of gorgeous subject separation thanks to shallow depth of field not possible on smaller sensor compacts.

It excels for street photography, environmental portraits, and documentary work, giving images a crisp, three-dimensional feel. The 35mm field of view is natural - neither too tight nor too wide.

Lack of zoom may be a drawback for some, but the optical quality and speed of this lens are class-leading, perfectly complementing the full-frame sensor. Macro focusing is not explicitly specified but limited compared to the G900.

Handling the Visuals: Display and Viewfinder

How a camera presents information and feedback affects user experience and shooting confidence.

Ricoh G900 Display

The G900 features a fixed 3-inch LCD with 1040k dots resolution. It lacks touchscreen functionality, but the display is bright and usable in most lighting conditions thanks to Ricoh’s display tech.

The absence of any eye-level viewfinder requires relying on the rear screen for composition - potentially challenging under bright sunlight or fast-paced shooting.

Sony RX1 Display and Viewfinder Options

The RX1 also features a 3-inch screen, but with a higher resolution (1229k dots) and TFT Xtra Fine LCD technology, delivering clearer, crisper previews.

Importantly, it supports an optional optical and electronic viewfinder, enhancing versatility in composition, especially for static and moving subjects. DSLR shooters migrating to the RX1 will appreciate this feature immensely.

Photo Genres in Practice: How Do They Perform Across Disciplines?

Let’s walk through a genre-by-genre evaluation, exploring how these cameras stack up based on my field experience.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Eye Detection

The RX1 is my clear winner here. The large sensor and fast f/2 lens give close control of depth of field producing creamy bokeh, smooth skin tones, and clear subject separation. Face detection and selective AF help lock onto eyes and faces reliably.

The G900 can produce decent portraits in well-lit situations, but smaller sensor depth of field and slower lens limits background separation. Face detection works, but the autofocus is less reliable in tricky lighting.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Weather-Sealing

Here, it depends on situation.

The RX1’s full-frame sensor delivers superior dynamic range and resolution (24MP vs. 20MP) - capturing subtle gradations of light and shadow beautifully, perfect for printing large landscapes.

However, the G900’s rugged sealing shines for landscapes in harsh conditions - rain, cold, dust - where the RX1 could be at risk. The G900’s wide zoom offers more framing flexibility, but at lower image quality.

Wildlife and Sports Photography: Autofocus Speed & Burst Rates

Neither camera is tailored for high-speed sports photography. The G900’s limited and slower contrast-detection system, combined with no continuous burst rate specified, makes it unsuitable for action shots.

The RX1, though seemingly slow with a max 5fps burst and limited autofocus points, fares better for casual wildlife or sports in decent light due to faster response and richer manual controls - but expect compromises compared to specialist cameras.

Street Photography: Discretion and Responsiveness

The RX1’s compact yet substantial design, fast lens, silent shutter (though no explicit silent shutter here), and viewfinder capability make it ideal for street photographers desiring image quality and low profile.

The G900 being rugged and somewhat bulkier in grip style, plus slower response, lacks the RX1’s subtlety in this genre.

Macro Photography: Close Focus and Stabilization

The G900 surprises here with 1cm macro focusing and digital stabilization aiding handheld close-ups in unpredictable terrains.

The RX1 does not offer macro focus stacking or dedicated macro modes, and the longer minimum focusing distances make true macro work less feasible.

Night & Astro: High ISO and Exposure Modes

Due to sensor size and ISO ceilings (Rx1 max native iso 25600; G900 6400), the RX1 is far superior for low-light and astro photography. Lower noise, higher dynamic range, and exposure controls aid long exposures.

The G900’s fixed aperture range and digital IS are less apt for long exposures or star trails, although it includes built-in timelapse recording.

Video Capabilities: What About Moving Images?

Video recording is an increasingly important consideration.

• Ricoh G900 shoots 4K UHD at 3840x2160 with MPEG-4 / H.264 codecs. However, it lacks external mic input and touchscreen, limiting audio control and navigation.
• Sony RX1 outputs 1080p Full HD with multiple frame rates including 60fps, supports AVCHD and MPEG-4. It offers microphone input but no 4K recording.

Neither camera is designed for serious videography, but the G900 leads for video resolution, while the RX1 supports more professional audio capture.

Battery Life, Connectivity, and Storage

• Ricoh G900 has a rated battery life of around 340 shots per charge and supports internal plus SD card storage. It includes USB charging and built-in GPS for geotagging.
• Sony RX1 offers about 270 shots per charge, accepts SD and Memory Stick cards, has USB 2.0 for tethering or file transfer, but lacks GPS.

Storage options on both are straightforward; however, the G900’s FlashAir SD card support offers some wireless transfer functionality.

Cost and Value: How Do They Stack Up Monetarily?

At $752 street price, the Ricoh G900 is positioned for outdoor enthusiasts, travelers, and pros needing a durable backup or field cam.

The Sony RX1 retails above $2,700, targeting serious photographers who prize full-frame image quality in a compact body and can justify the premium with image excellence and lens performance.

Bringing It All Together: Genre-Specific Recommendations

Summary Table by Photography Genre

Concluding Thoughts: Which Camera Suits You?

After extensive testing, here is how I would advise:

• Choose the Ricoh G900 if you prioritize ruggedness, need a splash-proof, freeze-proof camera for challenging environments, want zoom versatility, and modest image quality is acceptable.

• Choose the Sony RX1 if you seek the ultimate compact full-frame experience with high-quality optics, beautiful images straight from the camera, and hold manual control and dynamic range in high regard.

Both cameras have their niches, but the gap in sensor technology and image quality is the single largest factor. This is a classic case of rugged versatility versus premium image quality and control.

Ricoh G900 front Ricoh G900 screen back Sony RX1 front Sony RX1 screen back

This comparative review should help photographers, from enthusiasts to professionals, weigh the tradeoffs thoroughly. The Ricoh G900 is a trustworthy all-weather documentarian, while the Sony RX1 is a refined tool for those who value pristine images in a compact form.

If you prioritize pixel-level excellence and creative control - and can live with limited zoom and durability - the RX1 is your dog. If survival in hostile environments and zoom flexibility come first, the G900 is a good boy.

Both cameras bring distinct flavors of photography to the table, and knowing their strengths will make your next camera purchase a lot less of a guessing game.