Ricoh CX1 Review - Goodbye Ricoh 'R' Series, Hello New Ricoh CX1

April 2009, Carl Garrard

The Ricoh CX1 is an interesting new compact camera with a high speed 9.29mp CMOS sensor that officially signals the end of the R series Ricoh lineup (the last being the R10). Ricoh enters a new era of compacts by introducing the all new CX1. Our review will detail a basic tour of this camera along with some highlights of the new technologies employed into this rather svelte and classy designed compact camera. The CX1 looks much like the R10 which it replaces but has key changes that I think make it a more comfortable and easier to use compact camera. If you are in the market for a new compact, the CX1 might be a good candidate to consider. Ricoh's CX1 is currently priced at $379.00 USD and offers quite an advanced camera for the price.

Introduction and CX1 Tour

Skip to Page 2, Page 3, Page 4

Continuing our support for Ricoh on AlphaMountWorld as an interesting and viable compact option for our readers, Ricohs CX1 is indeed interesting and is the new evolution of their ultra-compact design. Incorporating a 1/2.4" 9.29mp Hi-Speed CMOS sensor and new Smooth Imaging IV processor, the CX1 is no slouch. This camera can deliver 4 frames per second with full resolution files, 30 frames per second at 2mb file sizes continuously, and 120 images per second VGA size until the card is full! There is also a movie mode on the CX1 with 640x480 and 320x240 image capture (no HD recording however).

The CX1 comes with a digital level readout which automatically switches when viewing landscape and portrait modes to aid in getting your camera horizon level correct in your images (it also helps you hang your framed images by using it as a level).

New on the CX1 is Ricohs proprietary Pixel output interpolation algorithm which according to Ricoh aids in extending dynamic range by one full stop. Also new is the Multi Pattern Automatic white balance function which delivers correct colors to various areas of a scene (rather than using one kelvin setting for a whole scene). And last but not least the CX1 has a new mode called Dynamic Range Expansion mode, which takes two simultaneous shots and merges them in camera to more accurately reflect a scene compared to what the human eye sees. This mode is also adjustable with 4 settings.

As you can see, there is more than meets the eye with the CX1. All of these features are wrapped in a wrist watch precise/nearly all metal frame. Ricohs are typically built very well, above the average camera on the market. There are many more features of this camera that we will show or discuss further on in the review. For now, lets get on with the external Tour of this handsome compact camera.

At the heart of the Ricoh CX1 is a nice and rather familiar and successful Ricoh 28-200mm 7.1X zoom lens. This lens for the most part behaves very good for such a aggressive range, and for a pocket point and shoot camera offers a better range than most of the competition on the market, yet remains pretty compact even when extended (add about another 1/2 inch when zoomed all the way to 200mm).

Here we have a view of the CX1 with the lens extended after start up. As mentioned, even when zoomed all the way out to 200mm the lens doesn't extend much further. Since the CX1 is a pretty small camera, a zoom range this large makes this lens design rather ambitious. One of the reasons for its continued popularity and success in Ricoh's lineup over the years.

On the front of the CX1 above also includes the dedicated flash unit and the dedicated grip (that has lost the rubber coating of the R10). The grip it self used in combination with the rear rubber thumb pad actually helps keep a very solid hold in the CX1, I don't really miss the rubber coating found on previous R-series models as a result. If I had to choose only one side, I'd prefer rubber under my thumb. The amber/orange focus assist lamp is right next to the flash, which aids in low light focusing (a nice touch for a camera at this price range).

On the back of the Ricoh CX1 is a rather large and beautiful 3 inch LCD panel with 920,000 dots. Ricoh has always offered ambitious LCD panels that have large viewing areas and high resolution; however to date this is the most gorgeous LCD I have seen from Ricoh yet. One of the characteristics I like about Ricoh's LCD panels are their bright light performance outdoors, they seem to resist glare and contrast blow out better than most panels. The CX1 LCD panel is of no exception here either. And while a large panel, the back of the CX1 is much less cluttered in arrangement compared to the R10 it replaces.

As you can see on the back panel above, Ricoh has moved things around a bit in comparison to the R10. There is now a rubber thumb rest area which harbors the excellent joy stick controller that sets you into various menus. Below the joystick is the image playback button ( note that when it is held down with the power off, this will turn the CX1 on allowing you to view images without the lens extending). Next to the LCD are the Menu, FN (function), Self timer/image discard, and Disp (display) buttons.

On top of the CX1 from left to right are the power button, video microphone, zoom toggle/shutter button, and main menu dial. On the bottom of the camera you can see the battery and SD card door with the metal tripod mount just underneath it. This is similar in configuration to the R10 here only the R10 did not have a metal tripod mount. Unfortunately, you cannot change the battery on the CX1 while mounted on a tripod.

While it would seem that there is plenty of room to align the tripod mount directly in line with the center of the lens, designers must not have been able to do this. What may seem to reviewers as negligence after all must come down to a design hurdle. The battery card door is plastic but snaps shut with a precision that Ricoh is typically known for.

On the right hand side of the CX1 is the USB and AV-OUT access door, and the polished metal dual position lanyard mounts. The door itself requires a good fingernail to open up and can be tricky to close and lay flush with the body. On the left hand side of the CX1, well there isn't much here but four body screws. Overall the CX1 is a very clean layout, typical of Ricoh design.

This rounds out our tour the Ricoh CX1's exterior. Judge for yourself of course, but overall I think the changes made on the CX1 vs. the R10 are rather nice and practical. They are are all subtle changes as far as the exterior, but combine to give you a more pleasant shooting experience as a result. My only niggle is with the placement of the video microphone being so close to the zoom/toggle switch. In video mode, the CX1 allows you to zoom optically in and out but when you do the sound records a rather annoying click each time you make a zoom adjustment. I can't help but think if the mic was in a different location that it would alleviate this annoyance.