Ricoh PX vs Sony A7S II: A Tale of Two Cameras for Opposite Worlds

Choosing your next camera can sometimes feel like being asked to pick between a bicycle and a Ferrari - both get you from point A to point B, but oh, what a difference the journey makes! The Ricoh PX and Sony A7S II could not be more different beasts, separated by years of technological leaps and gaping differences in target audience, sensor size, and sheer photographic ambition. Having personally tested both extensively, I’m here to unpack how these two cameras stack up - not just on paper, but in the messy, marvelous reality of photography.

So buckle up. We’re diving into compact ruggedness on one side, and professional mirrorless might on the other. Along the way, I’ll share practical insights to help you find your perfect fit.

Seeing the Size of Things: Handling and Ergonomics

One glance at their physical proportions tells the story: the Ricoh PX is a svelte, pocketable compact whereas the Sony A7S II demands a substantial “grip” (literally and figuratively).

The PX’s diminutive 100x55x21mm frame and ultralight 156g weight make it an excellent companion for minimalists or hobbyists - think hikes, casual street snaps, and spill-resistant adventures, thanks to its weather-sealed body (although not waterproof). Conversely, the A7S II’s robust SLR-style mirrorless body measures 127x96x60mm and weighs 627g, offering a firm, balanced grip that’s essential for demanding shooting sessions - especially when paired with hefty telephoto or fast prime lenses.

Flip to the top view, and the Sony’s wealth of controls and dials shines through, offering customizable buttons and tactile feedback, in stark contrast to the PX’s more pared-down layout.

The PX’s fixed lens and minimal external controls simplify operation, removing muscle-memory confusion but at the expense of versatility and manual control. The A7S II, by contrast, invites serious photographers into a dense ecosystem of physical buttons that, after a little training, allow intuitive one-handed access to exposure compensation, ISO, shutter speed, and more.

In short: want pocket-sized simplicity with decent ruggedness? PX wins here. Need tactile control and ergonomic heft for extended professional use? Sony leads.

Sensor Story: Tiny CCD vs Large Full Frame CMOS

Here’s where the rubber meets the road - or the photons meet the sensor. Picture the Ricoh PX’s 1/2.3" CCD sensor like a postage stamp compared to the Sony’s sprawling full-frame CMOS sensor.

The PX’s sensor measures a scant 6.17x4.55mm, totaling just 28.07 mm², capturing 16 megapixels. The CCD architecture (rather than CMOS) lends itself to decent color rendition at base ISOs but also means slower readout speeds and less dynamic range overall. The fixed aperture lens - 28-140mm equivalent focal range with f/3.9-5.4 - is versatile but inevitably limited in low light or shallow depth-of-field scenarios.

By contrast, the A7S II flaunts an enormous 35.6x23.8mm full-frame sensor, covering 847.28 mm², albeit with “only” 12 megapixels. But here’s the twist: the lower resolution combined with very large pixels translates to phenomenal high ISO performance and dynamic range. With a top native ISO of 102,400 (boosted to 409,600), this camera thrives in conditions where the PX simply throws in the towel - like night or astrophotography.

From practical testing, the PX’s sensor holds up well under daylight and moderate indoor lighting but starts showing noise and image softness past ISO 400. The Sony, on the other hand, delivers impressively clean images even pushing towards ISO 12,800 and beyond - game-changing for photojournalists, wildlife, and low-light aficionados.

The View to the World: Screens and Viewfinders

Shooting without being able to compose comfortably and check your settings can be frustrating.

Ricoh PX sports a modest 2.7-inch fixed LCD with a lowly 230k-dot resolution, sufficient for quick framing but lackluster for critical focus checking or image review. The absence of an electronic viewfinder means you rely heavily on the back screen - potentially tricky in bright sunlight.

Sony counters with a 3-inch tilting LCD boasting 1,229k dots, a massive leap in clarity and flexibility. Additionally, its 2,359k-dot electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.78x magnification brings DSLR-level viewing precision. The EVF remains clear even in full sunlight - a big plus for professionals tracking fast action or composing manually in varied conditions.

Autofocus and Performance: From Snapshots to Speed Demands

Here’s a classic case of quantity and quality. The Ricoh PX uses a contrast-detection autofocus system with face detection and multi-area AF but without phase detection or advanced tracking algorithms. It offers single AF with no continuous AF mode and an extremely slow 1 fps burst shooting rate. Not exactly your sports day champion.

The Sony A7S II sports a 169-point hybrid AF system (phase + contrast detection) with continuous autofocus, tracking capabilities, and selectable focus areas. This system feels confident and responsive in real world shooting, especially paired with fast lenses and under good light. Burst speed maxes out at 5 fps, modest by sports standards but perfectly serviceable for many genres.

Thus, wildlife and sports photographers will find the Sony far better suited to capturing ephemeral moments, while the Ricoh PX feels more like a “point, wait, shoot” camera made for less frenetic scenes.

Picture Quality in Practice: Portraits, Landscapes, and Wildlife

When it comes to portraits, the Sony’s full-frame sensor and extraordinary ISO latitude enable smooth skin tones, creamy bokeh, and razor-sharp eye detection (though lacking animal eye AF, which arrived in later models). The PX can deliver decent portraits outdoors but struggles with background blur and noise in less ideal lighting.

Landscape photographers will appreciate the Sony’s superior dynamic range, allowing recovery of detail in shadows and highlights - something I tried repeatedly in high-contrast sunrise and sunset shoots. The PX’s limited dynamic range more often leads to clipped highlights or muddy shadows.

For wildlife enthusiasts, the PX’s fixed zoom lens covers a reasonable telephoto range but cannot compete with the vast lens options (121 mount-compatible lenses!) available to the Sony plus its superior AF tracking and burst capabilities.

Ricoh PX front Ricoh PX screen back Sony A7S II front Sony A7S II screen back

Night and Astro Photography: Low Light Beasts

If night is your favorite frontier, the Sony A7S II shines like a supernova. Its exceptionally clean output at ISO 12,800 and above, combined with 5-axis in-body stabilization (a boon for long exposures), make handheld astro shots and dark landscapes attainable without a tripod. Its 30-second shutter speed and silent shutter modes offer flexibility in managing exposure and noise.

The Ricoh PX, by contrast, hits practical limits at ISO 800-1600, beyond which noise becomes distracting. Its maximum shutter speed is limited to 1/2000s, minimum shutter speed 8s - helpful for longer exposures but limited by noise and sensor design. Without raw capture, pushing files in post is frustrating.

Video Capabilities: From HD to 4K

The Ricoh PX shoots basic HD video at 1280x720p at 30fps, encoded in Motion JPEG. An understandable minimum for 2011-era compacts but today’s videographers will find this limiting, especially given no microphone input or advanced video controls. Image stabilization helps handheld shooting somewhat.

Sony A7S II enters the arena as one of the first mirrorless cameras to offer internal 4K UHD recording up to 30fps alongside slow motion Full HD at 120fps. It supports XAVC S and AVCHD codecs, external mic input, and headphone jack for audio monitoring - a huge win for hybrid shooters who want nuanced video output from a compact platform. The 5-axis sensor stabilization also smooths handheld video significantly.

Battery Life and Workflow Integration

The Ricoh PX’s battery life figures are unreported and unsurprisingly modest - given the tiny battery and compact size. Expect to carry extra spares if you plan on shooting extensively away from a charger.

Sony A7S II’s NP-FW50 battery offers about 370 shots per charge, more than enough for most events or sessions before needing a refill. Fast USB 2.0 file transfers and compatibility with SD/SDHC/SDXC plus Memory Stick cards ease the workflow. Being part of the Sony E-mount ecosystem means seamless integration with tethering software and post-processing pipelines popular with pros.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Both cameras claim some degree of weather sealing, but neither is waterproof or rated to the rigorous standards some adventure photographers desire. The PX’s compact form and sealed construction suggest some resilience to dust and light rain, whereas the Sony’s magnesium alloy body, though larger and heavier, exudes a certain confidence in rough conditions - assuming you carry it carefully.

Pricing and Value: What Are You Spending Your Money On?

At $329, the Ricoh PX sits firmly in budget-friendly territory, catering to casual shooters, travelers needing a compact backup, or parents snapping family moments. Its simplicity is its selling point.

At nearly $2,767 brand new (and often less used), Sony’s A7S II demands a serious commitment. This is a camera for serious enthusiasts and pros who need exceptional low-light performance, interchangeable lenses, and advanced control - not a casual snapshot machine.

Breaking It Down by Photography Discipline

Here’s how each camera fares in key genres:

• Portraits: Sony excels with creamy bokeh and precise AF. Ricoh OK in bright conditions.
• Landscape: Sony leads with dynamic range and resolution; Ricoh limited.
• Wildlife: Sony’s autofocus and lens options dominate; Ricoh limited zoom and AF.
• Sports: Sony better continuous AF and frame rate; Ricoh too slow.
• Street: Ricoh highly portable and unobtrusive; Sony larger but versatile.
• Macro: Ricoh close focus 3cm decent, Sony depends on lens.
• Night/Astro: Sony stellar; Ricoh struggles.
• Video: Sony professional formats and 4K; Ricoh basic HD.
• Travel: Ricoh ultra-portable; Sony heavier but versatile.
• Professional Work: Sony designed for it; Ricoh not intended.

The Final Word: Who Should Buy Which?

The Ricoh PX is a charming, rugged, user-friendly compact best suited for enthusiasts who need a reliable point-and-shoot for casual everyday photos, travel with minimal fuss, or rugged environments where bigger cameras risk damage. Its sensor limits image quality, low light, and creative control but its simplicity is endearing and useful.

The Sony A7S II is a precision instrument - tailored to serious photographers and videographers who demand best-in-class low light performance, dynamic range, and video quality. Its hefty price tag reflects true professional-grade hardware and software integration. If you shoot portraits, events, wildlife, or night scenes frequently and profit from interchangeable lenses, it’s a wise investment.

Summing Up the Contrast

To close with a metaphor: the Ricoh PX is like your dependable trail runner - lightweight, resilient, and ready to snap an instant memory with minimal fuss. The Sony A7S II? A sleek professional athlete, equipped for a grueling ironman triathlon of photography challenges, with endurance, precision, and power that come at a cost.

Choosing between two such disparate cameras comes down to what you prioritize: portability and simplicity or versatility and professional-grade imaging. Both have their place, and with this guide, hopefully you can stride confidently towards your ideal photographic partner.

If you want to peek inside the gear bags, or compare menus and image outcomes further, I’m happy to share more hands-on insights - just ask! Meanwhile, happy shooting.