Ricoh CX2 review

I bought a CX2 hoping that, with the impressive spec., it would be the answer to all my needs of a pro-quality camera in a pocketable size. Sadly, its not!. Don't get me wrong, its not a bad camera but its really no better than the, much cheaper, Lumix that I used to carry about. Skin tones are poorly rendered and low light performance (museums and galleries, too noisy to be of use. There are so many 'gismos' on it that I spent an entire day, sitting on a beach, and playing. I don't think a novice photographer could ever get to grips with what is on offer and a pro would not want to. No RAW ability which would have helped a lot. no manual overides and without a viewfinder, useless in bright light. Its a shame because ergonomically its nice and the size is right. Can't see any advantage of the vaunted CMOS sensor (which was what, ultimately, sold it to me. The lens is fine until you get up to telephoto ranges and then it is impossible to hold still as the steady shot facility seems just not to be available when you need it. Whenever I look, it has switched off. Did I want or expect too much? Probably, but its not a cheap camera and pretty and well built as it is, it doesn't mean I can leave the big bag at home.

Despite reading moans from people who had bought a CX1 camera only to find it had been quickly superceded by the CX2, I bit the bullet and bought a CX2. Now just weeks after the CX2 became available, I read of that being superceded by the CX3. Actually I am devastated that the main failing of the CX2 (high noise) has now apparently been sorted. Clearly they had the technology available to put into the CX2 (if not the CX1) but cynically chose not to do so. Leaves a very bad taste in the mouth. Will I upgrade to a CX3? No! Will I ever buy another Ricoh? probably not. I'm happy to change my camera on a regular basis. I have a Nikon D100, D200 and D700 and several Lumix cameras. I've upgraded them happily after a couple of years but two updates within six months means they don't take your customers seriously and that buyers can't take a chance on a suitable purchase. Its just too expensive a camera. Shame on them!

my pictures are coming out too bright - what am i doing wrong?