Ricoh CX6: Unexceptional Update

As expected, Ricoh has updated its superzoom compact. As expected, it's called the CX6. As expected, it's basically a CX5 with a new screen and a video record button.


Will Ricoh ever update the serious technology used in its CX series cameras? There's no sign of that just yet in any case, as the new CX6 has the same 10-Megapixel BSI CMOS sensor and 28-300 mm f/3.5-5.6 lens as the CX5, the CX4 and the CX3. Four generations of camera with no new lens or sensor is starting to feel like a lot, especially since we've been pointing out the limits of this lens ever since Ricoh first used it—our CX2 states that 'it's accurate enough in the centre of the frame in wide-angle mode, but that falls off quickly as you move towards the corners, while in tele-photo mode it's never quite perfect.'

There are a couple of small new features on the back of the CX6, however. First of all, it's been equipped with the same screen as the GR Digital IV announced this summer. This is brighter and displays more dots that the CX5 screen, but that won't necessarily make the onscreen image look much sharper—it seems that it has four dots per pixel instead of three. We'll have to get our hands on the CX6 ourselves to find out what effect that really has.

The CX6 also has a new direct access video button so you can start recording without having to search through the menus. Sound is recorded in stereo but there's still no sign of Full HD video, as the CX6 films in 720p resolution.

Finally, the flash and rangefinder have been realigned slightly, which should make you less likely to end up with your finger in front of them. Plus, Ricoh has apparently made the autofocus more responsive.

Coming in December for €299 (UK pricing TBC), the CX6 is a pretty unexceptional update in a series of cameras that stopped surprising us a long time ago.

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