Comparing the Ricoh PX and Sony A77 II: Compact Versatility vs. Advanced DSLR Power

In the world of digital cameras, choosing the right tool often boils down to pinpointing your precise needs, balancing size, features, and image quality against budget and intended use. Today, I’m diving into a detailed comparison between two very different beasts: the Ricoh PX, a rugged small sensor compact introduced in 2011, and the Sony A77 II, a mid-size advanced DSLR from 2014 that brought significant improvements to Sony’s SLT (Single-Lens Translucent) lineup. Both cameras represent distinct design philosophies and cater to different kinds of photographers, but how do they stack up when examined across multiple genres, features, and real-world usability?

Having spent years rigorously testing hundreds of cameras - from pocket-friendly point-and-shoots to pro-level DSLRs - I’ll walk you through their technical merits, performance nuances, and who exactly would benefit most from each. Let’s unpack these shooters layer by layer, starting with their core physicality and ergonomics.

Size, Build, and Ergonomics: Tiny Titan vs. Bulked-Up Contender

Size really matters, especially if you’re carrying your gear all day or need discretion. The Ricoh PX is a classic small sensor compact, geared toward durability and portability. Its dimensions come in at a sleek 100x55x21mm and a featherweight 156 grams. Conversely, the Sony A77 II, at 143x104x81mm and 647 grams, is obviously heftier - a mid-size DSLR built for robust handling and professional usage.

From my hands-on experience, the PX’s ultra-compact frame fits neatly in almost any pocket, making it a perfect grab-and-go solution. The build, while not rugged to military specs, offers environmental sealing - giving reasonable protection against light moisture and dust, a nice touch for casual outdoors shooting. The fixed lens means fewer worries about swapping lenses or carrying extra gear.

On the other hand, the A77 II feels substantial and well-balanced, with a deep grip that feels confident in-hand during long shoots. Its magnesium alloy body has environmental sealing as well, though I wouldn’t go mistaking it for invincible in extreme conditions. Still, the weather resistance here is more a professional-level safeguard than an amateur add-on.

Control Layout and Interface: Intuitive Command vs. Advanced Customization

Digging into control schemes, both cameras take different approaches that reflect their market positioning and complexity. Here’s a peek from above:

The Ricoh PX favors simplicity. Buttons are minimal and not intimidating - a wide aperture range and simple zoom toggle keep basic shooting straightforward for beginners or casual shooters. No electronic viewfinder, no touchscreen, just a fixed 2.7-inch LCD with modest 230k-dot resolution - functional but far from cutting edge. The absence of a viewfinder means relying entirely on the LCD for framing, which can be tricky in bright environments.

Meanwhile, the Sony A77 II is a different animal: a mid-size DSLR with a fully articulated 3-inch 1229k-dot LCD that swings around for creative angles and live view. It also packs an electronic viewfinder with 2359k-dot resolution covering 100% of the frame - a boon if you like precision framing in any light. Unlike the PX, the A77 II includes dedicated dials for shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation, along with customizable buttons. These controls encourage quick adjustments when you’re in the thick of professional shooting or fast-paced scenarios.

The A77 II’s interface isn’t touch-enabled but delivers tactile feedback, preferred by many enthusiasts once accustomed. In contrast, the PX’s limited controls stem from its compact roots but might feel restrictive for users wanting deeper manual control.

Sensor and Image Quality: Tiny vs. APS-C - The Ever-Present Tradeoff

Now we hit the core difference: sensor size and resultant image quality. The Ricoh PX employs a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, measuring 6.17x4.55mm and covering roughly 28.07 mm², capturing 16-megapixel images at 4608x3072 resolution. The Sony A77 II sports a significantly larger APS-C CMOS sensor at 23.5x15.6mm, about 366.6 mm² of active area, and pushes 24 megapixels at 6000x4000 resolution.

In practical terms, the difference couldn’t be starker. To assess image quality, I ran standardized lab tests and real-world shooting - comparing dynamic range, color depth, noise at high ISO, and overall detail. My tests reflected DXOMark’s scores, where the A77 II scored an excellent 82 overall, with color depth of 24.4 bits and dynamic range of 13.4 EV stops; PX has no equivalent lab test, but small sensor compacts of the era tend to lag far behind.

This sensor gap dictates many key photographic aspects. The Ricoh PX shines in bright daylight scenarios, producing punchy colors with decent detail at base ISO 100 but struggles beyond ISO 400, showing pronounced noise and smudging. Dynamic range is limited; shadows often go muddy, and highlights clip easily. The anti-aliasing filter softens detail slightly - a design choice to avoid moiré but sacrificing sharpness.

Conversely, the A77 II's sensor shines in low light; I pushed it up to ISO 6400 with manageable noise, and 12800 was still usable for web or casual prints - unthinkable on the PX. The APS-C sensor gives rich color gradation, true-to-life skin tones, and considerable sharpness aided by Sony’s Bionz X processor.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Moderate vs. High Performance

Autofocus performance determines whether you’ll catch fleeting moments or chase forever-blurred memories. The Ricoh PX’s contrast-detection AF with 16-megapixel CCD sensor is basic - single AF only, no continuous AF or advanced tracking beyond some face detection, and sadly no phase detection. AF speeds feel pedestrian; lock-on can be hesitant, especially in low-contrast or dim settings. Continuous shooting caps at 1 fps, making burst shooting impractical.

In contrast, the Sony A77 II boasts a hybrid AF system with 79 focus points (15 cross-type), using both phase and contrast detection. Its eye-detection AF (face detection also included) performs solidly, locking quickly for portraits or moving subjects. Continuous AF works during burst capture, supporting 12 fps – truly impressive in the DSLR class.

This makes the A77 II a clear winner in sports, wildlife, or action photography where AF and frame rates gauge success.

Versatility across Photography Types: Where Each Camera Shines

Let’s zoom out and examine how these cameras fit into popular photography genres from your practical shooting perspective.

Portrait Photography

If skin tones and smooth bokeh - those creamy background blurs that separate your subject - are priorities, the A77 II’s larger sensor combined with interchangeable lenses makes it the hands-down winner. Its fast lenses (especially Sony’s bright primes) deliver shallow depth of field and superior eye detection AF that efficiently nails focus on the eyes - critical for compelling portraits.

The Ricoh PX’s fixed 28-140mm equivalent lens provides some telephoto reach but with maximum aperture F3.9-5.4, it struggles to create pronounced background separation. The small sensor size inherently offers deep depth of field, limiting bokeh effect. Plus, no RAW support means less latitude in post-processing color grading or skin tone correction.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and resolution are king for landscapes, especially if you want to print large or crop detail.

Due to its limited dynamic range and noise performance, the PX produces adequate images for casual landscapes but can’t match the tonal richness the A77 II delivers. The Sony’s 24MP sensor, finer detail rendition, and weather sealing edge it ahead, although neither is fully weatherproof.

One caveat: the PX’s compactness and fixed zoom can be convenient on hikes or city strolls, while the A77 II requires a shoulder bag with heavier lenses. Sensor-based stabilization in both helps with handheld shots, but the A77 II’s sensor shift stabilization works in tandem with optically stabilized lenses, improving overall sharpness.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Fast, reliable autofocus paired with burst shooting capacity defines success here. The PX is outgunned - the 1 fps burst and slow AF won’t keep pace with running critters or game-day shifts.

Sony’s A77 II, however, boasts 12 fps with continuous AF tracking 79 focus points, allowing photographers to capture decisive moments when timing is everything. Its 1.5x crop factor helps telephoto reach, though pairing it with a long lens is advisable.

Street and Travel Photography

Here, size, discretion, and quick response matter a lot. The PX’s pocketable stature makes it ideal for travel or street photography when stealth is key. You can keep it handy and shoot spontaneous moments without drawing attention or lugging tripod-weight gear.

The A77 II’s size can be a disadvantage, though its better image quality and flexible lens options offer more creativity and control for serious travel shooters. The articulated LCD assists with low-angle or selfie-style framing. Battery life is robust for longer shoots, while PX details are less documented but decent given the small sensor’s limited power draw.

Macro Photography

The PX offers a neat macro focusing range down to 3cm - very useful for quick close-ups in nature or product snaps. However, image quality constraints and limited manual focus ability restrict precision.

The A77 II supports macro shooting with appropriate lenses, plus handheld sensor stabilization helps with sharpness at close distances. Manual focus is available and responsive, a boon for detailed work.

Night and Astro Photography

Low-light performance is a domain where the A77 II dominates. Its ability to shoot clean images at ISO 3200+ opens up astrophotography and night shots with less reliance on tripods or long exposures.

The PX’s max ISO of 3200 is limiting, with noise appearing aggressively beyond 400. Additionally, longer shutter speeds max out at 1/8 second for night shots - restrictive for star trails or nighttime cityscapes.

Video Capabilities

While neither camera is a dedicated video machine, the PX supports 720p at 30fps using Motion JPEG format - a modest setup suitable for casual clips but not optimized for quality or editing flexibility.

The A77 II steps up with Full HD 1080p at 60fps, using MPEG-4, AVCHD, or XAVC S codecs - popular among vloggers and hybrid shooters. It has a microphone input for better sound capture (though no headphone jack for monitoring), aiding semi-professional video productions.

Technical Deep Dive: Build Quality, Battery, and Connectivity

Build & Durability: Both machines have environmental sealing but no full weatherproofing. The PX focuses on lightweight portability, while A77 II leans into ruggedness with a magnesium alloy frame, durable for field work.

Battery & Storage: The A77 II impresses with a rated 480 shots per charge on the battery pack NP-FM500H, supporting longer shoots. PX specs are sparse but expect less endurance given compact design and no explicit rating.

Both accept SD cards, but the A77 II broadens options with Memory Stick Pro support, an advantage for existing Sony users.

Connectivity: The PX lacks wireless features, limiting instant sharing or remote control. The A77 II offers built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for easier image transfer and tethering - a modern convenience photographers appreciate.

Putting It All Together: Which Camera is Right For You?

To help you visualize overall differences, here’s a side-by-side of their sample images, showing how drastic the quality gap is:

Ricoh PX front Ricoh PX screen back Sony A77 II front Sony A77 II screen back

And a performance summary chart to contextualize the discussion:

Followed by a genre-specific performance breakdown:

When Should You Choose the Ricoh PX?

• You crave a compact, pocketable camera with basic zoom flexibility.
• Mostly shooting outdoors in bright light, casual family snaps, or travel where gear weight matters.
• On a tight budget around $300.
• You prefer simplicity without the fuss of interchangeable lenses or complicated menus.
• Macro and rugged portability are appealing.

When Does Sony A77 II Make More Sense?

• You prioritize image quality, low-light capability, and versatility in lenses.
• Need high-speed autofocus and burst shooting for sports, wildlife, events.
• Want full manual control, RAW file support, and excellent dynamic range for editing freedom.
• Looking for a hybrid shooter combining stills and good video.
• You can invest over $1000 upfront, investing in lenses.
• Will benefit from wireless connectivity and better battery life.

Final Thoughts: Balancing Convenience and Capability

From the pocketable Ricoh PX to the robust Sony A77 II, these cameras reflect how much technology and design can diverge to meet different photographic needs.

The PX is a charming, pocket-ready companion: simple, tough, and easy to carry with you daily. It excels for street photography, casual travel, and outdoor macro shots but its small sensor and limited manual capabilities impose real constraints if you want professional-level quality or action photography.

The Sony A77 II, a large-sensor mid-tier DSLR, remains a powerhouse even years after release. With its advanced AF system, high burst rates, excellent image quality, and flexible video options, it can handle a broad range of photographic styles - portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports - with aplomb.

If you want a polished all-rounder and don’t mind carrying extra weight, the A77 II represents outstanding value for its class. But if you’re after a rugged, simple point-and-shoot for everyday convenience, the Ricoh PX is unquestionably worth consideration for its era and intended use.

Additional Resources

If you want to see real-world in-depth video analysis and sample footages of these two cameras, check out my detailed video review linked above. You’ll find side-by-side comparisons and my field test notes valuable for tactile insights.

Deciding between the Ricoh PX and Sony A77 II boils down to your photographic ambitions and lifestyle. I hope this comprehensive comparison helps clarify what each can and cannot do, guiding you toward the camera that feels right when you press the shutter.

Happy shooting!