Ricoh CX4 Review | 108 Data compared

The Trusted Reviews evaluation of the Ricoh CX4 highlights it as a technically advanced compact camera, praising its improved image stabilization and new creative shooting features for delivering high-quality, versatile performance. Despite these upgrades, the review identifies significant drawbacks, including a dated design, inconsistent exposure metering in varied lighting, and sub-optimal lens quality that limits its full potential.

The ePHOTOzine review highlights the Ricoh CX4 as a solid, compact camera featuring a versatile 10.7x optical zoom lens and an improved sensor-shift image stabilisation system. Key strengths include good build quality, a bright 3-inch 920k-dot screen, and creative shooting filters, offering a "smart" experience for casual users. However, the review notes that the camera lacks full manual controls and RAW shooting, which restricts its appeal to enthusiasts, and several new creative modes are described as gimmickry. Despite these limitations, the camera is considered good value for money at its price point.

The Ricoh CX4 is a 10-megapixel compact digital camera featuring an 10.7x optical zoom lens (28-300mm equivalent) paired with a high-resolution 7.6-inch LCD screen. Designed for casual shooters who enjoy creative effects, it boasts a fast three-second startup time and unique tools like subject-tracking autofocus, an intervalometer, and a Creative Shooting Mode that includes high contrast black-and-white, cross-processing, and high dynamic range (HDR) merging. Image performance is solid at lower sensitivities like ISO 100, and its stiff mode dial prevents accidental setting changes while handling the device. However, the camera has notable limitations, including a slow f3.5 maximum aperture, a lack of manual aperture or shutter priority exposure controls, and video capabilities limited to 720p Motion JPEG rather than Full HD. Image noise becomes highly noticeable and degrades definition by ISO 3200, rendering that setting mostly unusable. Additionally, users may struggle with the rear control text, which is nearly illegible in dim lighting, and the camera's overall image quality is deemed acceptable but not brilliant for its slightly high price point.

Ricoh CX4 Review Summary The Ricoh CX4 is a sleek, robustly designed high-end compact camera that builds upon its predecessor, the CX3, with targeted feature upgrades. Its standout features include a high-quality, bright 3-inch 920,000-dot rear LCD screen equipped with an electronic spirit level, and an impressive 10.7x optical zoom (28-300mm equivalent) that is highly practical for travel photography. Performance updates highlight an improved image stabilisation system, redesigned autofocus tracking, a specialized "night landscape multi shot mode" for cleaner low-light photography, and creative filters like soft focus and toy camera modes. However, the camera suffers from notable usability issues and physical limitations. A major downside for advanced photographers is the total lack of manual exposure controls for aperture and shutter speed. The joystick interface feels flimsy and behaves unintuitively within menus, while the camera's "My Settings" mode fails to remember recent adjustments upon powering down. Additionally, the zoom ring mechanism feels plasticky, the lens and autofocus operations are noisy, and startup times are relatively slow at around 3 seconds, occasionally combined with focus hunting.

The Ricoh CX4 is a well-designed, advanced compact camera featuring a 10-megapixel back-lit CMOS sensor, a versatile 10.7x (28-300mm) optical zoom, and a significantly improved image stabilization system. It offers excellent image quality, reliable, fast autofocus, and a bright 3-inch 920k-dot LCD screen. However, the review notes disappointment regarding the lack of RAW shooting and full manual controls, while highlighting that it fails to offer substantial upgrades over its predecessor. Despite these shortcomings, the CX4 remains a recommended, capable camera, according to the review.

The Amateur Photographer review of the Ricoh CX4 highlights its versatile 28-300mm equivalent optical zoom packed into a 29.4mm deep body, alongside a new electronic level for straight horizons and a dedicated 'Creative Mode' for in-camera filters. Additionally, a new multi-shot night landscape mode effectively reduces shake and noise for sharper low-light images. However, the camera lacks a front handgrip, resulting in a slippery, smooth finish, and it continues to lack RAW format support and manual exposure controls. Furthermore, the night mode requires a slow five-second processing time, limiting its effectiveness for rapid shooting.

The Expert Reviews evaluation profiles the Ricoh CX4 as an advanced compact ultra-zoom camera that stands out as a strong competitor in its class, primarily due to its competitive pricing. Key pros highlighted in the review include its highly detailed 3-inch, 921,000-pixel screen, sleek minimalist design, and an exceptionally fast continuous shooting mode capable of 5fps. Additionally, the camera features an improved image-stabilisation system, effective automatic white balance, and accurate automatic exposure handling. Staying conservative with a 10-megapixel sensor also allows it to produce cleaner, low-noise low-light images with sharp results up to ISO 400 compared to rivals that cram too many pixels onto small sensors. However, the camera suffers from several notable drawbacks. Major cons include a total lack of manual exposure controls—such as direct access to shutter speed and aperture—which heavily limits its appeal to enthusiast photographers who otherwise would appreciate its advanced settings. Image quality degrades at ISO 800 and 1600, where fine details take on a blocky appearance unless noise reduction is manually cranked to maximum. Furthermore, flash photography is prone to overexposing close subjects while...