Design, Performance, Image Quality and Verdict

Aesthetically, the CX6 continues along the same lines as previous models in the series. The body does see a few additions and changes when compared to the previous iteration, the main being that the rear of the camera now features a dedicated movie record button, offering one-touch access to the 720p recording.

Despite not being the smallest advanced compact camera on the market, in no small part owing to the reasonable optical zoom, the CX6 still handles well in use. This is in no small part thanks to the combination of a rectangular body which is bulbous towards the right hand side and a rubberised thumb grip on the rear panel of the camera. The model’s menu system is also pleasing in that it’s well designed and easily navigable, and all of these factors combine to make the CX6 an enjoyable compact to use.

Ricoh’s claims about focus speeds are generally borne out in use –
the CX6 is noticeably quick to focus, with focus accuracy also
pleasingly apparent. The camera also performs well optically – the 10.7x
optical zoom travels between the wide and tele ends both promptly and
relatively quietly, while the 1cm macro focusing distance is both
welcome and effective. The CX6’s menu system is intelligently laid out,
while the combination of both the Fn button and adjustment toggle mean
that shooting controls are easily adjustable.

Image quality, as with previous CX models, is on the whole pleasing. The
camera demonstrates a good dynamic range and handles both highlight and
shadow detail capably. There is slight lack of contrast, and a tendency
to marginally underexpose, although this is readily correctable in image editing software. Fringing is kept to a minimum, although some softening is
noticeable towards the edges of the frame. High ISO noise is generally well controlled, probably in no small part thanks to the combination of Ricoh’s Smooth Imaging Engine IV and the back-illuminated CMOS sensor. Noise is well controlled right up to ISO 800, and even then the noise that does appear doesn’t cause a great degradation on overall detail, more a slight softening of fine detail.

Ricoh CX6 review – Verdict

The Ricoh CX6 certainly has a lot going for it. To start off with, the LCD screen more than matches any other advanced compact on the market. Add to that the entirely reasonable 10.7x optical zoom, the new addition of shutter and aperture priority shooting modes and a eminently usable layout and body design and, in theory, you should be on for a winner. However, the CX6 still has holes in it’s specification, with Raw capture being one clear example of this. When you throw several image quality issues in to the final assessment, you have to conclude that while the CX6 is a very capable advanced compact, it’s not quite worthy of a Gold award.