Ricoh CX1

"To be honest, the only problem I have with this camera is the fact that not enough people are selling it!" say the editors at Steves-Digicams.com. The Ricoh CX1 uses new technology to boost image quality -- Dynamic Range Double-Shot mode, in which the 9-megapixel sensor shoots two back-to-back images per shutter push. Each photo is recorded at a different exposure; then the CX1 combines them to create an image with a dynamic range that "far surpasses most other compact cameras," says Mark Goldstein of PhotographyBlog.com. Critics are unanimous about the CX1's stunning image quality. Testers at Britain's Which? magazine find excellent yet subtle color reproduction, as well as superbly contrasted shadows and highlights. However, Goldstein notes two glitches in Ricoh's Dynamic Range (DR) system. First, the consecutive shots can be slightly misaligned, creating soft, out-of-focus images. Second, the DR mode impacts color. "The CX1 may preserve more visible details, but it seems to do so at the expense of color accuracy, with images having a slightly washed-out look when directly compared to shots taken in the Normal shooting mode," he says.

The CX1 has a fully retractable 7.1x zoom lens with a focal range of 28 mm to 200 mm that comes equipped with sensor-shift stabilization. Zoom controls mounted around the shutter release offer "effortless zooming," and the camera has "blazing fast" performance in tests at Steves-Digicams.com. Other goodies include a stunning 3-inch LCD with a 920,000-pixel resolution, an electronic leveling meter for straight horizon shots, a smooth imaging engine, VGA video, multi-target autofocus and 88 MB of internal memory. The sleek, stylish camera comes in silver, black and champagne pink.

Camera experts at PhotographyBlog.com, PopPhoto.com and Steves-Digicams.com offer the most in-depth reviews of the Ricoh CX1, while testers at Which? magazine and Imaging-Resource.com conduct thorough comparative testing with less detailed write-ups. User reviews for the Ricoh CX1 are sparse, though a few postings at specialty retailer Adorama.com help to confirm expert findings.