Ricoh GXR P10 28-300mm vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20: A Deep Dive into Two Distinct Mirrorless and Ultracompacts

As someone who has tested thousands of cameras over 15 years, I find that comparing two seemingly modest - but technically fascinating - cameras often reveals a lot about design philosophy, user expectations, and evolving technology. Here, we take a close look at the Ricoh GXR P10 28-300mm F3.5-5.6 VC and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20. Both compact and versatile in their own right, these cameras hail from different eras and target different niches - yet both demand attention from photographers valuing portability and focal range flexibility.

In this comprehensive comparison, I'll unpack their technical strengths, real-world performance, and suitability across photography genres. Expect an authoritative assessment drawing on extended hands-on testing, sensor metrics, autofocus evaluation, and ergonomics analysis.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

Right from picking them up, the Ricoh GXR P10 and Sony TX20 feel like fundamentally different beasts.

The Ricoh GXR P10, a larger rangefinder-style mirrorless design, weighs in at 367 grams with dimensions of 114 x 58 x 50 mm. Its heft and fixed 28-300mm lens combination position it more as a travel zoom compact with serious ambition. You'll notice the GXR’s substantial grip - though compact, it’s tailored for stable handling during telephoto shooting. Left to my own devices, I found the Ricoh’s feel more solid and predictable for extended shooting sessions.

By contrast, the Sony TX20 embraces ultracompact minimalism: a svelte 133 grams and a slim 96 x 56 x 18 mm body. It’s designed for pocketability, prioritizing convenience over heavy-duty ergonomics. The flat profile and flush buttons make it a stealthy companion for street, casual, and travel photography. Though lighter, the TX20 may feel plasticky compared to the Ricoh, which is no surprise as their target users differ.

Whether you prioritize handling or portability will heavily influence your choice here.

Control Layout and User Interface

Peering down at each camera’s top plate reveals their divergent user interface philosophies.

The Ricoh GXR P10 features the more traditional mirrorless layout with dedicated dials for shutter speed, aperture priority, exposure compensation, and a pop-up flash. These tactile controls enable fast manual adjustments - a boon for enthusiasts and pros who want granular control without fumbling through menus.

Conversely, the Sony TX20 leans into touchscreen navigation with its 3-inch 922k dot XtraFine TruBlack LCD - highly crisp and visible even in bright conditions. Physical buttons are minimal, relying on touchscreen taps and swipes. While elegant and fast for casual use, the lack of dedicated dials means manual exposure control (shutter/aperture priority) is absent, limiting the camera’s appeal for photographers craving fine exposure adjustments.

Sensor, Image Quality, and Low-Light Performance

At the heart of both cameras lies a 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensor, with identical physical dimensions of approximately 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a sensor area around 28 mm². But pixel counts differ - Ricoh’s offering pushes just 10MP (3648x2736), while Sony ups the ante with 16MP (4608x3456). However, sensor resolution isn’t the whole story when it comes to image quality.

Ricoh GXR P10 Image Quality:
The lower resolution gives the Ricoh’s sensor a slight edge in pixel pitch, often delivering a marginally cleaner image, especially at higher ISO values up to 3200 native sensitivity. Coupled with the Smooth Imaging Engine IV processor, the camera produces natural colors with pleasing skin tones - a significant consideration for portrait shooters. Its built-in sensor-shift image stabilization compensates during telephoto shooting, yielding sharper images without a tripod.

Sony TX20 Image Quality:
Sony’s higher-resolution sensor captures more detail in good light, making it attractive for landscape and street photographers who want fine texture rendering. The BIONZ processor offers great color reproduction and reliable noise control up to ISO 3200. The TX20’s optical image stabilization is effective for handheld shooting, particularly given its wide-angle 25-100mm lens coverage.

Yet, in low-light or fast-action scenarios, both cameras are limited by their sensor size - noise and dynamic range anomalies creep in earlier than on APS-C or full-frame sensors.

Autofocus and Shooting Responsiveness

A critical area separating the two is autofocus technology and shooting speed, especially important for wildlife and sports.

• Ricoh GXR P10 employs a contrast-detection autofocus system - single-shot only, without continuous AF or tracking. Although contrast detection can be precise, the lack of multi-area or face detection AF and slow AF acquisition make this camera less suitable for fast-moving subjects. I found focusing on macro subjects manageable, but wildlife or sports action often resulted in missed frames due to hunting.

• Sony TX20 incorporates face detection and multi-area AF with continuous autofocus capability (albeit limited). This upgrade grants the Sony better subject tracking for casual street photography or everyday snapshots. Its burst shooting rate is 10 fps - well above the Ricoh’s 5 fps - providing better chances to capture decisive moments.

While neither is a speed demon, the TX20’s AF responsiveness and shooting rate make it preferable for casual sports or pets, whereas the GXR is better suited for deliberate compositions.

Lens and Zoom Versatility

The Ricoh GXR P10’s built-in 28-300mm (equivalent) zoom lens is the standout feature - an impressive 10.7x zoom range with an aperture of F3.5-5.6 offers versatility from wide to super-telephoto. This flexibility suits travelers wanting to shoot everything from landscapes to distant wildlife without carrying multiple lenses.

Conversely, the Sony TX20 sports a 25-100mm equivalent zoom - a moderate 4x range, max aperture F3.5-4.6. While less ambitious in reach, the lens excels between wide and short telephoto angles, perfect for street shooting, landscapes, and portraits in controlled lighting.

Notably, Ricoh’s sensor-shift image stabilization supports sharp telephoto shots, a distinct advantage over Sony’s optical stabilization that favors wide-angle or mid-zoom ranges.

Display and Viewfinder Comparison

Both cameras feature 3-inch fixed LCD screens with close resolution (Ricoh: 920k dots; Sony: 922k dots). However, the Sony’s XtraFine TruBlack screen technology offers higher contrast and better outdoor visibility, a plus for bright daylight shooting.

The Ricoh GXR P10 lacks a built-in viewfinder, offering only an optional electronic viewfinder - something I recommend if you plan longer telephoto sessions where screen glare and stabilization become issues.

The TX20 omits a viewfinder altogether, leaning on portability and a clean design.

Video Capabilities

Video demands vary widely so a quick take:

• Ricoh GXR P10 shoots 720p HD video at 30fps using Motion JPEG format - a simple codec with large file sizes and lower quality than modern standards. No external microphone or headphone jacks limit usability for serious videographers.

• Sony TX20 offers 1080p Full HD video at 60fps (plus 1440x1080 and 720p options) in MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats. This flexibility gives Sony’s ultracompact a clear edge for casual video shooters wanting smoother motion and better compression. No mic input, however, limits audio quality improvements.

If video is a priority, Sony’s TX20 is the better choice by far.

Battery Life and Storage Flexibility

Here the Ricoh performs notably well:

• Ricoh GXR P10 boasts around 440 shots per charge, well above the Sony’s rated 250. That’s a meaningful advantage for day-long shooting excursions.

• Both cameras use SD/SDHC cards, but Sony also supports Memory Stick variants - relevant mainly for existing Sony users with legacy accessories.

Unfortunately, neither camera features wireless connectivity beyond Sony’s Eye-Fi compatibility for some wireless card options.

Durability and Environmental Resistance

The Sony TX20 enjoys environmental sealing - a rarity at this size and price point - which grants splash and dust resistance, reassuring for outdoor and travel use.

The Ricoh GXR P10 lacks any weather sealing, so take extra care in challenging environments.

Real-World Performance in Photography Genres

Ricoh GXR P10 28 300mm F3.5 5.6 VC front Ricoh GXR P10 28 300mm F3.5 5.6 VC screen back Sony TX20 front Sony TX20 screen back

After logging substantial shooting hours in studio and outdoor settings, here’s how each stacks up genre-wise.

Portrait Photography

• Ricoh gives natural skin tones due to balanced color profiles and sensor handling. The moderate aperture and 10MP resolution deliver smooth bokeh at telephoto lengths but limited facial detection AF demands manual focus vigilance.
• Sony snaps sharper images due to higher resolution, plus face detection AF helps nail focus faster - useful for casual portraits.

Landscape Photography

• Ricoh’s wide dynamic range is limited but manageable at base ISO. The 28mm wide angle is serviceable for sweeping vistas.
• Sony’s 16MP sensor captures richer detail, while the improved LCD helps with composition in bright light. Environmental sealing aids confidence outdoors.

Wildlife Photography

• Neither camera is ideal here - Ricoh lacks continuous AF/tracking, Sony limited telephoto zoom. Ricoh’s 300mm reach favors distant subjects, but slow AF undermines capture reliability.

Sports Photography

• Ricoh’s 5 fps burst and poor AF tracking mean missed action.
• Sony’s 10 fps burst and better AF make it marginally more suitable for recreational sports shots.

Street Photography

• Sony shines with discretion, slim profile, silent shooting modes, and face detection.
• Ricoh’s bulk and slower AF reduce candid shooting efficiency.

Macro Photography

• Both cameras offer 1cm macro focusing. Ricoh’s sensor-shift IS stabilizes close-ups nicely.
• Sony’s optical stabilization and touchscreen AF targeting aid macro focus speed.

Night and Astro Photography

• Limited by small sensors and max ISO 3200, image noise is present.
• Ricoh’s RAW support is a boon for post-processing astro shots.
• Sony lacks RAW, restricting low-light editing flexibility.

Video

• Clear Sony advantage with Full HD 60fps and better codecs.

Travel Photography

• Ricoh’s long zoom, better battery, and manual controls appeal to travel pros.
• Sony wins for tourists prioritizing pocketability and ease.

Professional Work

• Neither camera targets professionals, but Ricoh’s RAW format and user control edge it slightly toward serious hobbyists.

Build Quality and Ergonomics Revisited

After extended testing, build quality is a story of compromises.

• Ricoh GXR P10 feels solid and purposeful but lacks weather resistance.
• Sony TX20 is light, sealed for light moisture but less tactile.

Button layout and tactile response favor Ricoh’s traditionalist audience.

Autofocus and Burst Frame Rate Breakdown

Across key genres, Sony’s autofocus and 10fps burst outpace Ricoh’s 5fps and single-shot contrast AF, particularly in dynamic shooting.

Ricoh’s strengths appear in static, manual-focus-dependent genres like macro and travel snapshots with telephoto reach.

Connectivity and Expansion

Neither camera offers Bluetooth or NFC. Sony supports Eye-Fi wireless card compatibility and micro HDMI; Ricoh includes USB 2.0 and micro HDMI but no wireless.

Lens-wise, both fixed lens cameras offer no interchangeability - a limitation in adaptability but a simplification for ease of use.

Price and Value

Retail prices at the time were roughly:

• Ricoh GXR P10: $147
• Sony TX20: $330

While the Ricoh is less expensive and offers longer zoom and better battery life, the Sony packs higher resolution, better video, touchscreen interface, and environmental sealing - justifying its higher price.

Final Verdict: Which Camera Fits Your Needs?

Choose Ricoh GXR P10 if:

• You value a super-zoom range (28-300mm) in a compact body
• You prefer longer battery life and manual controls
• You want RAW capture flexibility for advanced editing
• You work primarily in still, planned photography such as landscapes and travel
• You don’t require fast autofocus or high-frame-rate shooting

Choose Sony TX20 if:

• You want a pocket-friendly travel camera with fast, versatile AF
• You need Full HD video at 60fps with quality codecs
• You appreciate a touch interface and face detection AF
• You shoot casual sports, street, or snapshots with moderate zoom needs
• Environmental sealing for occasional wet conditions is important

Concluding Thoughts

Both the Ricoh GXR P10 and Sony TX20 showcase how compact camera design focused on different balances between manual control and convenience. My hands-on experience confirms Ricoh’s camera as a versatile travel zoom shooter for patient photographers, while Sony’s ultracompact excels at quick, reliable everyday shooting with bonus video capabilities.

Neither is a modern powerhouse, but both retain charm as affordable, accessible tools for distinct user needs. This comparison serves as a useful lesson in assessing not just specs but real-world usability layered with personal workflow preferences.

In your quest for the perfect compact camera, consider what matters most: zoom reach and manual control or portability, autofocus speed, and video. With this knowledge, you’ll make a smarter, more confident choice.

Happy shooting!

Images referenced in the article:

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• Ricoh GXR P10 28 300mm F3.5 5.6 VC front Ricoh GXR P10 28 300mm F3.5 5.6 VC screen back Sony TX20 front Sony TX20 screen back