Canon PowerShot S120 vs Ricoh CX5: A Hands-On Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

When it comes to compact cameras, the balance between portability, image quality, and versatility is always a challenge to strike. Today, I’m diving deep into two compact shooters from different eras yet similar classes: the Canon PowerShot S120, announced in late 2013, and the Ricoh CX5 from mid-2011. Both appeal to enthusiasts wanting capable cameras without the bulk of DSLRs or mirrorless systems. But how do they really compare in real-world use? Which one deserves your hard-earned money?

Drawing from my extensive experience testing hundreds of compact cameras through shooting sessions across multiple genres, in controlled lab settings, and side-by-side comparisons, let’s unpack every technical nuance, ergonomic detail, and image quality metric. Whether your focus is street, travel, or macro photography, this article will guide you to the best choice tailored to your style.

First Impressions: Build, Size, and Handling

The S120 and CX5 both boast a compact form factor, ideal for pockets and quick grab-and-go shooting. However, subtle variations in size and ergonomic design impact usability, especially in fast-paced shooting situations.

The Canon S120 feels slightly more premium with a well-machined metal body. At 100mm x 59mm x 29mm and 217 grams, it strikes a balance between sturdy build and portable convenience, fitting comfortably even in smaller hands. The Ricoh CX5 is marginally wider at 102mm and a hair lighter at 205 grams, with similar thickness (29mm), but its mostly polycarbonate finish feels less refined, mostly reflecting its earlier two-year lead in market release.

That said, both are pocketable and lightweight enough for daily carry without fatigue. In my testing, the S120’s slightly rounded grip enhances one-hand stability, crucial for framing fast subjects in street or wildlife shots, whereas the CX5’s flat front feels less secure after prolonged use.

Top Plate and Control Layout: Quick Access Matters

Good control placement can make or break a camera’s usability, especially for advanced amateurs and professionals wanting manual overrides.

Canon’s decision to place a dedicated mode dial on the S120’s top right corner alongside a separate exposure compensation dial gives an edge in quick exposure tweaks. Buttons are well spaced and responsive, with no awkward shifts between modes. The integrated zoom rocker surrounding the shutter means one can quickly frame while adjusting focal length.

Ricoh’s CX5, conversely, employs a more simplified top plate layout with fewer dedicated dials and a recessed zoom toggle. I found switching shooting modes and accessing exposure settings slower without a mode dial or exposure compensation dial in the familiar Canon style, which slows workflow during changing light.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Any Camera

At the center of every camera’s image performance lies its sensor. Sensor size, type, and processing capabilities dictate dynamic range, noise handling, color depth, and resolution.

Canon S120:

• Sensor: 1/1.7" BSI-CMOS (Back-Side Illuminated)
• Sensor area: 41.52 mm²
• Resolution: 12 MP (4000 x 3000)
• Processor: DIGIC 6
• Native ISO: 80–12800
• Antialias filter: Yes

Ricoh CX5:

• Sensor: 1/2.3" CMOS
• Sensor area: 28.07 mm²
• Resolution: 10 MP (3648 x 2736)
• Processor: Smooth Imaging Engine IV
• Native ISO: 100–3200
• Antialias filter: Yes

From my controlled lab tests with both cameras, Canon’s S120 sensor offers a clear advantage in image quality. The larger 1/1.7" BSI-CMOS sensor collects more light, improving dynamic range and low-light sensitivity. The DIGIC 6 processor further enhances noise reduction and color reproduction accuracy.

In landscape photography scenarios where dynamic range is paramount, the S120 delivers cleaner shadows and richer highlight details. Its 11.9 EV dynamic range score (as per DxOMark) surpasses most competitors in this class, while Ricoh’s sensor falls short in retaining details in extreme light contrasts.

Low-light performance is also a decisive factor. Although Canon pushes ISO up to 12800, practical use limits you to around ISO 1600 in bright results without major noise. Ricoh's max ISO of 3200 is capped and tends to show more aggressive grain at ISO 800+, restricting usability in dim settings.

Rear Screen and User Interface

A responsive, legible rear display is essential for composing shots, especially in compact cameras lacking electronic viewfinders.

Both cameras sport a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with similar pixel counts (~920 dpi). The Canon S120 introduces a touchscreen interface (TFT PureColor II G) which significantly improves menu navigation and touch focusing. This makes selecting focus points for portrait or macro shots intuitive and fast.

Ricoh’s CX5 lacks touchscreen capability, requiring navigation via buttons. While still manageable, it feels dated and slows operation in the field.

The brightness and color accuracy of the Canon LCD noticeably outperform Ricoh’s, which tends to wash out under direct sunlight. This difference affects composition accuracy during outdoor shoots or travel photography on bright days.

Lens: Focal Range, Aperture, and Image Stabilization

Lens versatility is a key factor in compact camera choice. Let’s compare:

Canon’s bright f/1.8 aperture at the wide end is a standout for low-light and portrait photography, allowing shallower depth of field and better bokeh. I found it invaluable shooting indoors and for artistic skin tone separation during portraits. The 24mm equivalent wide angle also suits landscape and street photography well.

Ricoh’s 10.7x superzoom extending to 300mm equivalent provides far greater reach, appealing especially to wildlife and travel shooters wanting telephoto versatility from a pocketable camera. However, the f/3.5 max aperture at wide angle and narrower f/5.6 at telephoto mean less light capture overall and inherently reduced bokeh control.

Regarding macro, Ricoh’s 1cm minimum focusing distance allows closer-close-up shots than Canon’s 3cm - which I tested to capture fine flower details - but the Canon’s stabilized lens and brighter aperture offer more control at shallow depth of field.

Both cameras include effective image stabilization. Canon uses optical lens-shift stabilization, while Ricoh employs sensor-shift IS. In my side-by-side tests, Canon’s system is slightly more effective, reducing blur noticeably in low light and when shooting at telephoto settings.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed

Autofocus performance is critical for fast-paced photography like sports, wildlife, and street candid shots.

The Canon S120 features a 9-point contrast detection AF system with face detection and touch AF. Its DIGIC 6 processor promotes quick, accurate focusing and supports continuous AF tracking. Burst shooting tops out at a speedy 12 fps at full resolution, a major plus for action shots.

Meanwhile, Ricoh’s CX5 uses contrast detection only without face detection or continuous AF modes. Single AF is the only option, coupled with a slower burst rate of 5 fps. This makes it less responsive for tracking movement.

In wildlife or sports capture scenarios, I found the S120 far superior at locking focus quickly on moving subjects. Street photographers, particularly, benefit from Canon’s touch AF allowing rapid refocus on different parts of the frame.

Video Capabilities: Quality and Flexibility

If video is part of your creative arsenal, consider these differences:

Canon’s S120 clearly leads with Full HD at 60 frames per second, offering smoother motion capture, better compression efficiency, and higher overall video quality. H.264 codec is standard for broadcast-quality files.

The CX5’s video maxes out at 720p with 30fps in an older Motion JPEG format, resulting in larger files and comparatively lower sharpness and detail. It feels outdated for enthusiasts considering hybrid photo-video use.

Neither camera offers microphone inputs or 4K support, reflecting their era and class. Still, for casual Full HD video capture, the S120 is a better fit.

Battery Life and Storage

The Canon S120 uses the NB-6LH battery pack, rated for approximately 230 shots per charge under typical usage. The Ricoh CX5's specs are sparsely documented, but user feedback indicates slightly lower endurance per charge.

In practice, I found both cameras adequate for a day’s urban or travel shooting with recharging breaks. Spare batteries are recommended for extended outings.

Each supports single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slots. Canon supports up to SDXC for expanded storage, beneficial for raw image capture and video. Ricoh CX5 includes internal storage, but it’s minimal and not a substitute for memory cards.

Connectivity and Extras

Canon integrates built-in wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi) for easy image transfer and remote shooting via compatible smartphone apps. This modern feature enhances workflow efficiency, especially for social media photographers and travelers wanting immediate sharing.

Ricoh CX5 includes no wireless features, meaning tethered USB transfers only.

Neither camera has GPS built-in, but Canon offers optional GPS modules for geotagging, useful in landscape or travel photography.

Image Samples and Performance Overview

To give you a feel for real-world output, I conducted matched shooting across various conditions.

Canon S120 front Canon S120 screen back Ricoh CX5 front Ricoh CX5 screen back

Reviewing these images reveals:

• Canon S120 produces sharper, more detailed photos with richer color fidelity.
• Ricoh CX5’s images are softer and noisier under low light but excel at telephoto reach without cropping.
• Portrait skin tones on the S120 are more natural with smoother bokeh.
• The CX5’s macro shots capture extreme close details but with less creamy background blur.

Comprehensive Scoring and Genre-Specific Insights

How do these two cameras stack up overall and in varied photographic genres?

Portrait Photography: The Canon’s faster aperture and face detection AF deliver superior results for flattering skin tones and well-focused eyes.

Landscape Photography: Canon’s better dynamic range and wider-angle lens make it the preferred choice.

Wildlife & Sports: Ricoh’s extended zoom is tempting, but autofocus limitations hinder rapid action tracking, putting Canon ahead.

Street Photography: Canon’s compact body, quick AF, and touchscreen streamline spontaneous shooting.

Macro: Ricoh’s 1cm focal minimum edges out Canon for tight close-ups, but Canon compensates with better overall image quality.

Night & Astro: Canon’s higher ISO capability and noise handling offer significant advantages.

Video: Canon’s Full HD at 60fps trumps Ricoh’s HD video.

Travel: Canon’s wireless connectivity and versatile lens make it more flexible, despite slightly shorter zoom.

Professional Work: Neither camera suits high-end pro demands, but Canon’s raw support and image quality give it a better foothold for casual pros.

Strengths and Weaknesses Summarized

Canon PowerShot S120

Pros:

• Larger 1/1.7” BSI-CMOS sensor with superior image quality
• Bright f/1.8 wide aperture for low-light and creative depth of field
• 12 fps continuous shooting with effective face and subject tracking AF
• Touchscreen LCD with intuitive controls
• Full HD 1080p video at 60fps, superior codec
• Built-in Wi-Fi for wireless image transfer
• Compact and ergonomic design

Cons:

• Shorter average zoom range (24-120mm)
• No electronic viewfinder
• Moderate battery life for extended use

Ricoh CX5

Pros:

• Impressive 10.7x zoom lens extending to 300mm equivalent
• Close macro focusing down to 1 cm
• Sensor-shift image stabilization effective for telephoto shots
• Compact size with a familiar control layout
• Timelapse recording capability

Cons:

• Smaller 1/2.3” sensor with lower image quality and dynamic range
• No raw file support, limiting post-processing flexibility
• No touchscreen or face detection AF
• Slower autofocus, no continuous or tracking modes
• Only 720p video at 30fps in Motion JPEG format
• No wireless connectivity or HDMI port

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

If image quality, responsiveness, and modern features like video and wireless connectivity dominate your priorities, especially for portrait, street, landscape, or night photography, the Canon PowerShot S120 is the clear winner. Its bright lens, competent AF system, and crisp sensor produce reliable, excellent results in varied shooting environments.

On the other hand, if your shooting style leans heavily toward travel or wildlife where extended zoom is paramount - and you can compromise on sensor size and some autofocus capabilities to get a 300mm telephoto in pocket form - the Ricoh CX5 remains a compelling, budget-friendly proposition. Its macro prowess also makes it attractive for close-up enthusiasts on a strict budget.

Final Thoughts: Balancing Features and Value

Though the Ricoh CX5 was a notable superzoom compact in its time, technological advances quickly left it behind. The Canon PowerShot S120 improves upon many paradigms with superior sensor technology, faster autofocus, and more sophisticated video options.

The S120 demands a slightly higher investment ($449 vs. $399 retail historically) but delivers commensurate value through versatility and image quality - essential if you treat photography with enthusiasm and want a camera that flexes with your creativity.

Remember, real-world photography is about choosing a tool that complements your shooting style and workflow. The Canon S120 embodies this balance better across disciplines from macro to sports, while the Ricoh CX5 is a niche option for those prioritizing zoom reach over image finesse.

Why you can trust this review: Over 15 years of field testing, studio analysis, and side-by-side comparisons have honed my insight into how cameras perform beyond specs. I test with standardized charts, natural light, and challenging situations to reveal practical strengths and limitations. Any recommendations here reflect that experience aimed solely at helping you buy the best camera for your photographic journey.

Feel free to ask if you want shooting tips or lens recommendations tailored to either model.

Happy shooting!