Product Review: Ricoh CX2 9 Megapixel Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom

Ricoh's latest compact digital camera is the feature-rich CX2, which boasts a moderate amount of megapixels and an excellent set of features aimed at the professional photographer. With a hefty price tag of $320 at most retailers, this camera is not for the casual buyer looking to take snapshots of flowers and pets. If you're in the market for a compact point-and-shoot digital camera to take on those trips you wouldn't lug a DSLR to, read on to find out if this camera meets your needs.

Features

The body of the CX2 is similar to the other Ricoh cameras on the market - thin, black, and square. It is the epitome of professional design, and something you'd feel proud to pull out of your pocket at a trade show, journalist event, or photography project.

The lens on the CX2 is a wide-angle equivalent of 28mm, and can zoom to an appreciable 300mm telephoto distance. The zoom feature has two speeds, one that is considered normal and one that is extra-fast for those times you need to get a shot ASAP. Shots can be taken in continuous mode at a rate of 5 snapshots per second (could be slightly faster or slower based on the light and stability of the object you're photographing).

In addition to offering the normal modes found on compact digital cameras, the Ricoh CX2 also offers a new high-contrast black and white (B & W in the mode settings) shoot mode, which allows users to take high-quality grayscale images without the need for post-processing.

Another new feature on the CX2 is a miniature mode, which caters to the popular trend of shooting real life images and altering them so they appear to be photographs of Hollywood miniatures. The camera does this automatically by adjusting the level of blur at the top and bottom of the image, and is mostly accurate.

Image Quality

Image quality is exceptional (assuming that the photographer knows how to properly adjust the settings to the
landscape). Unlike some other cameras with a wide-angle lens, there is no blurring or vignettes around the edges of photographs taken with this camera. Color contrast is strong, but not to the point of appearing cartoonish. Contrast is excellent, and photographs taken in low light have surprisingly minor amounts of grain.

Conclusion

Ricoh's CX2 digital camera is an excellent choice for professionals and hobbyist who need a camera that can keep up with the high-demand of commercial photography. The camera body is small, which may be a pro or a con depending on the situation and photographer. At only 29mm thick, individuals with large hands might find it difficult to properly hold the camera.
With a price of $300+ USD from most online retailers, there are cameras out there for a lower price that might tailor better to the specific needs of niche photographers. For individuals who take photos in a wide array of settings and light levels, this product is definitely a contender.