Ricoh PX Review | 108 Data compared

The ePHOTOzine review of the 16-megapixel Ricoh PX highlights its appeal as a portable, rugged compact camera, featuring waterproofing up to 3 meters, shock resistance, and a flat design suitable for outdoor use. It offers good exposure, accurate color reproduction, and impressive 3cm macro capabilities in Loupe mode, making it versatile for daily shooting. However, the analysis notes limitations, including noticeable edge softness, purple fringing, and inconsistent white balance, with the Auto setting producing a green cast under fluorescent light. Despite these drawbacks, it serves as a functional, durable option for photographers seeking a compact, all-weather device.

The Ricoh PX is an interesting 16MP waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof compact camera that swaps out the bulky, rugged appearance typical of the category for a sleek, minimal aesthetic. It features a 5x optical zoom range (28-140mm) paired with a sensor-shift stabilisation system, 720p movie recording, and helpful unique features like Skew Correction and a multi-pattern auto white balance. Built for casual consumer use rather than just industrial applications, it can withstand water depths up to 3 metres, drops from 1.5 metres, and includes a scratch-resistant 2.7-inch LCD screen. The camera's main strengths lie in its well-priced, sturdy build, clean minimalist design, and solid underwater performance with good button responsiveness. However, it suffers from notable performance drawbacks. Its image quality is heavily compromised by noise across all sensitivity levels, the lens does not move smoothly through its focal range, and the low 230,000-dot resolution LCD screen leaves much to be desired. Additionally, the zoom rocker is poorly positioned, making it less than ideal to handle during operation.

The Ricoh PX receives a mixed 83% evaluation from What Digital Camera, praised for its solid build quality, competitive pricing, and fast autofocus, particularly in underwater conditions. However, the review highlights significant usability flaws, including an unsteady, abruptly accelerating zoom and poor placement of the zoom rocker. Regarding image quality, the camera struggles with persistent noise across all ISO sensitivities, resulting in a muddy texture and aggressive software softening. The poor quality LCD screen is also listed as a major drawback, notes What Digital Camera.

The Ricoh PX is reviewed as a highly portable and stylish compact camera that bridges the gap between everyday casual use and outdoor durability. Boasting a 5x optical zoom (28–140 mm equivalent), the device features a completely flat, pocket-friendly design. It is highly praised for its exceptionally fast 2-second startup time and convenient in-camera charging via USB, which eliminates the need for a bulky external charger and allows field recharging. Its battery performance delivers at least 300 shots per charge. A major highlight is its extensive array of creative, built-in "Premium Shot" presets—such as toy camera, miniaturisation, cross-process, and a multi-frame "auction mode"—which save the user from tedious computer post-processing. Furthermore, a handy " shooting" option automatically preserves an unaltered copy of the photo alongside the filtered version. Despite its strengths, the reviewer outlines several specific design flaws and performance limitations. Because the lens is entirely integrated and does not extend from the flat body, fingers frequently block the view during shooting. The lens casing also lacks a physical cover, leaving it exposed to dust, lint, and the elements. Additionally,...