The CX series of Ricoh cameras is now in its sixth iteration, with updates to the series arriving with a defined regularity. The CX6 arrives with the characteristic level of upgrades on the previous version – more evolution than revolution – but it still promises high performance and good images.

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The CX6 features a 10MP, 1/2.3in CMOS sensor. The sensor itself is back-illuminated, a feature which promises better performance in low light and at high ISO settings, whilst the sensor is also supported by Ricoh’s Smooth Imaging Engine IV to aid said performance.

The model features a 10.7x optical zoom, covering a focal range of 28-300mm in equivalent terms. The lens itself is supported by sensor shift image stabilisation, and offers macro shooting as close as 1cm at the wide angle of the lens.

The previous incarnation of this camera, the Ricoh CX5, featured a new hybrid AF, and this features again on the CX6. The camera combines a Contrast AF system with sensor-based AF to provide focus speeds of as little as 0.1 sec according to Ricoh.

One highlight of the CX6’s specification is its LCD screen – the model features a 3in LCD with a resolution of 1.23m-dots, placing it right at the high end of the scale. The screen also feature new ‘High-brightness’ technology which, Ricoh claims, makes the screen 1.7x brighter than before.

A welcome addition on the model is the new aperture and shutter priority modes: one criticism of the previous model in the series, the CX5, was that it lacked the advanced control over exposure and as such the aperture and shutter priority modes are good to see. Alongside this addition of shutter and aperture priority for the advanced shooter sit a host of creative shooting modes and a scene recognition auto mode, with the former including effects such as Toy Camera and Miniaturize.

Unfortunately, Ricoh still hasn’t added Raw capture functionality to the compact – an addition needed to keep up with the advanced compact market