We all love our fancy cameras. Our full frame DSLRs, our large sensor compacts, our rangefinders, our large format classics, and so on. They are serious tools for serious photography and we use them as such (or at least pretend that we are doing so). But what happens when it’s time to take a trip to the beach? Or go to that toddler playgroup? Or hand your camera to a stranger so you can get a family photo in front of the penguins at the zoo? It might be time to think about a waterproof shockproof idiot-proof point and shoot that can takes these risks while your other cameras stay safe at home or in your camera bag. The Ricoh PX might be just what you are looking for.

How it works:

Here’s what Ricoh has to say about the PX:

"The new Ricoh PX offers 5.0x, wide-angle (28 mm) and telephoto (140 mm) optical zoom in a water- and shock-resistant package that can safely be used for hassle-free photography in a wide variety of locations and situations.

Designed for hassle-free operation, the new RICOH PX lets users take photographs anytime, anywhere with fast startup and settings that adapt to subjects for optimal results. Its high-resolution, 16-million–pixel CCD sensor and Smooth Imaging Engine IV image processing engine combine for high-resolution, high-quality photographs.

The new, fully flat design give the new RICOH PX, ease-of-use and portability, results in a camera that is easy to carry, while the optional protective jacket appeals to users with a choice of color schemes that can be matched to the camera body."

As far as waterproof shockproof cameras go, the Ricoh PX doesn’t wear it’s toughness on its sleeve the way that some cameras do. There are no rubberized accents or exposed bolt/screw heads to give the camera a “tough” look. Overall, the PX looks much like a regular point and shoot camera. While not as compact as some of the smallest point and shoots, the PX would easily fit in a purse or pocket. It has a useful 28-140 zoom range, and like most “tough” cameras, the lens does not protrude from the camera and is protected by a cover. The maximum apertures are a somewhat uninspiring f/2.9 on the wide end and f/5.4 on the tele end. But that’s not surprising when you consider the limitations placed on design for a sealed camera. The PX comes in silver, black, and a strange bright neon-ish green. You can also add on an extra protective cover that comes in a number of colors, there is even a “color simulator” on Ricoh’s website, and also gives a more “grippy” texture. While perhaps a bit grabby for pockets or purses, that grippy texture might be just the ticket if you thought you were going to use the camera frequently in wet conditions.

Hands on test:

Using the PX is much like using any point and shoot camera. You point, you shoot, picture appears. Not much to it. You don’t have to bother with many manual choices when shooting, as there aren’t many to be had. External controls are limited to just the basics like a physical flash on/off/auto switch, playback button, menu, self-timer, zoom, power, a dedicated movie “record”, and shutter release. A 4 way controller gives you access to the PX’s dedicated shooting and effects modes when pushing “up” and over/under exposure control when pressing “down”. For some reason left/right have no dedicated use. It’s a minor thing in a camera that isn’t based at the advanced photographer, but I would have liked to see the option of using them for custom functions like white balance or AF mode. Even if it was something that was buried in the camera menus, it would have been neat. Perhaps a firmware update could take care of that?

Despite it’s limited controls, with two exceptions the PX handles well and is easy to shoot with in the situations would use it in. The first issue is that, while I like having a physical switch for the flash on/off/auto, I found that the switch tended to change positions while riding around in my pocket. Secondly, the top mounted zoom “rocker” switch is more difficult to use than the more standard back mounted thumb buttons that many cameras use these days. In addition, the zoom feels like there is a delay after activating it. In reality, it’s just that the zoom creeps very slowly for the first half a second or so, then speeds up. This is probably so you can easily make small changed in your zoom length without zooming back and forth over the length you are looking for. Handy? Yes. But it also has the effect of making the camera seem like it’s thinking about doing the zooming too much before it can actually get it going.

Shooting modes are typical for this class of camera. Various “scene” options and some “artsy” filters and effects. While typically I don’t bother to use scene modes in my cameras, I will say that in a point and shoot with limited manual control, they can be very useful to force shutter speeds one way or the other. The art modes work well and are fun for kids or those who do not have any Photoshop skills, but are otherwise probably uninteresting to the typical photo.net member.

Image quality overall is good, particularly when you consider the restrictions on lens design in a camera like the PX. The one drawback as far as IQ goes is the PX’s image noise. Even at relatively low ISO levels, you can see evidence of detail blurring and noise. When you get up into the 800-3200 range, it becomes pretty obviously noisy. Yes, I know there are limits to what a small sensor can do in terms of ISO performance. But the PX is on the lower end of the point and shoot group as far as noise is concerned. That having been said, at the beach or on the ski hill or even with the flash firing, you aren’t going to be bothered by the ISO noise as much as you might in your more “serious” shooting situations.

Let’s be clear here, this camera isn’t designed to serve the ultra-specific needs of high end photographers. There are few manual override options and even fewer dedicated buttons for camera settings, image noise is unimpressive, and the LCD screen could use more resolution. However, the inclusion of features like image stabilization, tracking AF, HD video, and face recognition, the PX has a lot of good to offer as well assuming you understand what the intended use of the camera is. The PX is designed to be a take it anywhere, hand it to anyone, use it anytime camera. Given that task, it succeeds. This camera will go just about anywhere you want to take it and it will bring back photos. Add in a reasonable list price and Ricoh’s history of quality, and you’ve got a model worth considering when you are looking for a camera in the “tough” class.

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