Battle of the Compacts: Ricoh PX vs Sony RX1R II - A Hands-On Comparison for Discerning Photographers

When compact cameras promise a balance between portability and image quality, the gap between models becomes a chasm once you peer beneath the hood. Over the past decade, I’ve tested thousands of cameras, from entry-level point-and-shoots to full-frame beasts. Today, I’m comparing two very different compact cameras aimed at enthusiasts and professionals: the Ricoh PX, a rugged, budget-friendly small sensor compact introduced back in 2011, and the Sony Cyber-shot RX1R II, a 2015 flagship large sensor compact built around a full-frame sensor and premium optics.

These two cameras couldn’t be more different in philosophy, design, and target audience. Yet both claim the “compact” label, so how do their respective strengths stack up across various photographic disciplines? And importantly, where would each fit in the camera bag of today’s photographers?

I’ve spent considerable time shooting with each camera, applying standardized lab measurements alongside diverse real-world scenarios - from outdoor adventures to landscapes, portraits, and even video snippets. Here’s my detailed take, with honest strengths and caveats, leading to practical recommendations.

Physical Impressions & Ergonomics: Big Differences in a Small Package

Starting with physicality, these cameras showcase dissimilar design priorities that immediately impact handling.

The Ricoh PX is built as a tough, waterproof, dustproof compact. It weighs a mere 156g with dimensions of 100×55×21mm - ultra pocketable, truly a “take-anywhere” sort of cam. Its chassis features a fixed 28-140mm equivalent zoom, and the 2.7” fixed LCD lacks touch or tilt but suffices for framing and reviewing shots. Controls are minimal but adequately tactile, suited for casual use and quick shooting without fuss.

In contrast, the Sony RX1R II tips the scales at 507g, with a chunkier 113×65×72mm frame. Despite its “compact” classification, it’s essentially a premium full-frame camera squeezed into a sizable fixed-lens body. The build quality is solid, yet there’s no weather sealing to speak of, so this one’s better kept in controlled environments. The 3” tilting LCD offers 1229k-dot resolution, making live view framing and menu navigation a breeze. Complement that with a bright built-in electronic viewfinder boasting 2359k-dot resolution and 0.74x magnification for versatile shooting styles.

Handling wise, the PX scores for rugged, carefree outdoor shooting, while the RX1R II demands more careful handling but rewards with intuitive controls and refined ergonomics. The top control layout of the RX1R II is laden with dedicated dials for shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation, catering well to seasoned photographers who value direct manual tuning.

Sensor Technologies and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

This is where the two cameras part ways dramatically, and I must emphasize the significance of sensor technology on image output quality.

The Ricoh PX utilizes a 1/2.3” CCD sensor measuring roughly 6.17×4.55 mm with 16 megapixels. This sensor size and type, common in many budget compacts, restrains performance due to limited light-gathering ability, lower dynamic range, and modest ISO flexibility. The sensor is paired with an antialiasing filter, which helps combat moiré but slightly softens image detail.

In contrast, the Sony RX1R II features a full-frame 35.9×24 mm backside-illuminated CMOS sensor boasting a whopping 42 megapixels with no anti-aliasing filter - a serious weapon in image fidelity. The larger sensor not only delivers superior resolution but also an exceptional 13.9 EV dynamic range, deeper color depth (25.8 bits), and exceptional low-light capability, enabled by a native ISO range from 50 to 25,600 (extended to 102,400 ISO). The singular fixed 35mm f/2 Zeiss Sonnar lens capitalizes on the sensor’s resolution to deliver razor-sharp images.

Testing both cameras under controlled lab conditions, the RX1R II impresses with stellar detail retention, color accuracy, and noise control across ISO ranges. The PX sensor reveals its limitations with visible noise creeping beyond ISO 800, compressed dynamic range, and less nuanced color gradations.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tone Rendering and Bokeh Magic

Portraiture is a demanding genre, requiring subtle skin tone reproduction, fast and accurate focusing - particularly around eyes - and pleasing background separation.

The PX’s 28-140mm (equiv.) lens with variable f/3.9-5.4 aperture struggles to isolate subjects as effectively as the RX1R II. Although the PX employs sensor-shift image stabilization, its small sensor and mid-tier optics limit subject-background separation and creamy bokeh. Face detection AF is present but rudimentary, often slower and less accurate in complex lighting.

In contrast, the RX1R II’s full-frame sensor combined with a sharp but wide f/2 35mm prime lens naturally produces beautifully smooth bokeh and exceptional subject separation. The camera features 25 phase-detection autofocus points and contrast detection to quickly lock focus on eyes with impressive consistency. Flesh tones appear natural with excellent color rendition, thanks to the sensor and Zeiss optics synergy.

These sample portraits illustrate the qualitative difference - the RX1R II’s images appear richer, more refined, and better suited for professional or fine art portraits.

Ricoh PX front Ricoh PX screen back Sony RX1R II front Sony RX1R II screen back

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Resolution at Play

Landscape photographers prize large dynamic range, high resolution, and weather resistance.

Here, the PX’s environmental sealing is a rare plus, letting you capture rugged locations despite occasional rain or dust exposure. However, its 16MP sensor, modest dynamic range, and small optical zoom lens with limited aperture dampen the final output quality. Images from the PX tend to have more clipped highlights and shadows lacking detail.

The RX1R II’s 42MP full-frame sensor elevates landscape photos with ample latitude for shadow recovery and highlight retention. The lens delivers edge-to-edge sharpness, resolving fine textures and subtle tonal gradients exquisitely. The ability to shoot at base ISO 50 allows for exquisite long-exposure landscapes with minimal noise. Unfortunately, the lack of weather sealing makes it less ideal for harsh environments without protective gear.

For serious landscape shooters prioritizing image quality, the RX1R II offers a distinct advantage despite its bulk.

Wildlife and Sports Photography: Speed and Tracking Capabilities

When shooting fast-moving subjects like animals or athletes, autofocusing speed, frame rate, and telephoto reach are paramount.

The PX’s autofocus is contrast detection-based with some face detection, but overall sluggish by today’s standards. Continuous shooting maxes out at a paltry 1 fps, essentially limiting burst shooting capability. The zoom extends to 140mm equivalent, providing moderate telephoto reach, but image quality at long focal lengths diminishes due to optical compromises and smaller sensor resolution.

Sony’s RX1R II, despite impressive sensor specs, has a fixed 35mm lens - inadequate for zoomed wildlife and sports framing. Autofocus incorporates hybrid phase and contrast detection with 25 points, enabling more responsive focus locking. It offers 5 fps burst shooting, respectable though not class-leading.

Neither camera is optimized for wildlife or sports where long lenses and high fps dominate. The PX’s zoom might score slightly for casual events, while the RX1R II excels in manual focusing precision and image quality for staged or slower subjects.

Street Photography: Portability Meets Discretion

Street photographers treasure cameras that are compact, quiet, fast to deploy, and capable in low light.

In this arena, the Ricoh PX shines thanks to its near-pocket friendly size, silent-ish operation, and rain/dust protection - making spontaneous city shooting and travel easy. Its fixed zoom covers neat framing from wide to mid-tele.

The RX1R II is less discreet due to size and weight but compensates with a quiet shutter and tilt LCD that facilitates candid shots from waist level. Its excellent high ISO performance means street portraits in dim alleyways come out impressively clean. The electronic viewfinder assists with rapid composition changes in bustling environments.

Overall, the PX suits urban wanderers favoring durability and versatility, while the RX1R II appeals to those prioritizing image quality and ready to tolerate the extra heft.

Macro Photography: Focusing Precision and Magnification

Macro shooting demands close focusing distances, fine autofocus adjustments, and ideally image stabilization.

The PX macro starts at 3cm, providing decent flexibility for close-ups, bolstered by in-body sensor-shift stabilization to counteract hand shake at high magnifications. It performs adequately for casual flower or insect shots.

The RX1R II’s 14cm minimum focus distance and lack of image stabilization requires steadier handling or tripod support, especially given its high-resolution sensor. The lens’ sharpness ensures excellent detail capture in macro scenes. Manual focus precision can be assisted via focus peaking, lending fine control.

If your macro interests lean casual and mobile, the PX offers convenience; for critical macro work, the RX1R II is technically superior but demands more care.

Night and Astrophotography: Noise and Exposure Control

Shooting in darkness exposes sensor capabilities and image processing prowess.

The PX’s maximum native ISO is 3200, but image quality at ISO 800 and above degrades noticeably with chroma noise and detail loss. The built-in flash offers some fill light but isn’t ideal for true night scenes. Shutter speeds max out at 1/8s, limiting long exposure possibilities without manual bulb mode.

The RX1R II supports native ISO down to 50 and up to 25,600, delivering clean results at high sensitivity thanks to backside illumination and advanced noise reduction. It offers shutter speeds up to 30s, enabling star trails and astrophotography workflows. The absence of optical stabilization requires a tripod for astrophotography.

Pent up in my typical starry-sky test shots, the RX1R II captures impressive low-noise, high-resolution images with vibrant star colors and detailed Milky Way structure, while the PX struggles to pass had with its sensor.

Video Capabilities: Recording Specs and Usability

Neither compact is primarily aimed at video-heavy users, but the RX1R II’s offerings far eclipse PX’s.

The PX shoots 720p video max at 30fps in MJPEG format - serviceable but limited, without microphone input or advanced settings.

The RX1R II records Full HD 1080p video at up to 60fps, supporting AVCHD, MPEG-4, and XAVC S codecs. It accommodates external microphones for improved audio and offers slow-motion 720p at 120fps. Absence of in-body stabilization at video mode is a drawback, but the quality of video footage is decidedly impressive for a compact.

For filmmakers or hybrid shooters, the RX1R II is a capable tool; the PX, less so.

Travel Photography: Versatility Meets Battery Life and Storage

Travel shooters favor lightweight, flexible cameras with long battery life and easy storage options.

PX’s compact size and environmental sealing make it a compelling grab-and-go companion for hiking or casual sightseeing. It uses SD/SDHC cards and an internal memory buffer, but battery endurance data is sparse - expect modest performance given the older design.

RX1R II weighs over 500g but fulfills versatility through extensive manual controls and a robust sensor-lens combo. It takes SD/SDHC/SDXC plus Memory Stick Pro Duo cards, accommodating diverse storage needs. Battery life rate stands at ~220 shots per charge, typical of enthusiast compacts but a consideration on long trips.

For extended travel, the PX prioritizes rugged dependability over image finesse; RX1R II suits photographers prioritizing image quality willing to carry extra load.

Professional Use: Reliability, File Formats, and Workflow

From a professional standpoint, supporting RAW output, fast workflow integration, and system reliability is essential.

The PX does not offer RAW shooting, which severely limits post-processing latitude. Its JPEG output suffices for snapshots but not high-end editing or print work.

The RX1R II shines with uncompromising 14-bit compressed RAW support, delivering immense creative flexibility through Adobe Lightroom or Capture One. Combined with its superior lens and sensor, it proves a potent tool for professional portraiture, landscape, and fine art applications. The camera is well built but without weather sealing - a consideration for field assignments. Tethering options are limited but manageable via USB.

Connectivity adds convenience for pro workflows: PX lacks wireless features entirely, while RX1R II offers built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, useful for quick image transfers and remote control.

Genre-Specific Performance Breakdown

To sum up performance across photography types, here’s a comparative rating summary based on hands-on tests and feature analysis:

• Portrait: RX1R II dominates with superior optics, autofocus, and depth rendition.
• Landscape: RX1R II leads thanks to sensor resolution and DR; PX handy in adverse conditions.
• Wildlife: Neither ideal; PX offers basic zoom, RX1R II better AF precision but limited reach.
• Sports: Both limited; RX1R II’s frame rate slightly better but no telephoto.
• Street: PX wins for portability and durability; RX1R II better IQ in low light.
• Macro: RX1R II’s precision edges out PX, but lacks stabilization.
• Night: RX1R II superior; PX limited by sensor and shutter constraints.
• Video: RX1R II capable HD video beats PX’s basic 720p.
• Travel: PX offers rugged lightness; RX1R II better IQ but heavier.
• Professional: RX1R II only option providing RAW & advanced control.

Final Verdict and Recommendations

Putting it all together, these cameras serve decidedly different users and budgets.

Choose the Ricoh PX if:

• You seek a rugged, lightweight companion for impromptu outdoor and travel photography.
• Portability, environmental sealing, and ease-of-use outweigh image quality.
• Your budget is tight (~$300 range), and JPEG output suffices.
• You prioritize a zoom range over fixed focal length.
• Casual shooting, street photography, and snapshots are your norm.
• Video is a minor priority.

Go with the Sony RX1R II if:

• You want uncompromising image quality in a compact form factor.
• Full-frame resolution, excellent dynamic range, and advanced autofocus matter.
• RAW shooting and professional workflow integration are necessities.
• You emphasize portrait, landscape, or fine art photography where detail and depth matter.
• Video capabilities such as Full HD and external mic support are relevant.
• Your budget (~$3300) can absorb the premium with expectations for ultimate image fidelity.

While the Ricoh PX is a worthy tool for casual enthusiasts valuing toughness and affordability, the Sony RX1R II is an industry-level compact masterpiece designed for professionals and serious aficionados. This rivalry isn’t so much a straight shootout as an illustration of how compact camera philosophy has evolved - from rugged utility to full-frame artistry.

Thanks for joining me on this deep-dive. Whether you lean PX or RX1R II, understanding your photographic priorities is key. Both cameras have stories to tell - one in every weather, the other in every pixel.

Happy shooting!