Clicky

Canon SX20 IS vs Ricoh CX5

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Ricoh CX5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
35
Overall
34

Canon SX20 IS vs Ricoh CX5 Key Specs

Canon SX20 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 600g - 128 x 88 x 87mm
  • Launched July 2010
  • Succeeded the Canon SX10 IS
  • Replacement is Canon SX30 IS
Ricoh CX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
  • 205g - 102 x 59 x 29mm
  • Released July 2011
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Canon SX20 IS vs Ricoh CX5 Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Canon SX20 IS vs Ricoh CX5, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Ricoh. The resolution of the SX20 IS (12MP) and the CX5 (10MP) is fairly well matched and they feature the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

The SX20 IS was revealed 12 months prior to the CX5 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Ricoh CX5 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick view of how the SX20 IS scores against the CX5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Ricoh CX5

 SX20 IS CX5 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Ricoh CX5 over the Canon SX20 IS

 CX5 SX20 IS 
ReleasedJuly 2011July 2010Fresher by 12 months
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Ricoh CX5

 SX20 IS CX5 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Canon SX20 IS vs Ricoh CX5 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX20 IS comes with outside dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") and a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Ricoh CX5 has dimensions of 102mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check the Canon SX20 IS vs Ricoh CX5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the SX20 IS vs the CX5.

Canon SX20 IS vs Ricoh CX5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SX20 IS and CX5 is 65 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Ricoh CX5 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Ricoh CX5 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing only by looking at technical specs. The photograph underneath will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SX20 IS and CX5.

As you can tell, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Canon SX20 IS to resolve more detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos much more aggressively. The older SX20 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX20 IS vs Ricoh CX5 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Ricoh CX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Ricoh CX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX20 IS
Portrait photography with Ricoh CX5
37
you can focus manually
above average flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
28
manual focus
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Street photography details
Ricoh CX5 Street photography details
49
screen articulates
image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
more heavy than competition (600 grams)
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (205 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX20 IS
Sports photography with Ricoh CX5
34
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
25
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Travel photography features
Ricoh CX5 Travel photography features
53
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
fairly wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (600g)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
66
lighter than average (205 grams)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
great zoom (300mm)
MP count low (10MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography info
Ricoh CX5 Landscape photography info
35
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5 inch)
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
45
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Vlogging camera
Ricoh CX5 as a Vlogging camera
50
fairly wide (28mm)
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone jack
more heavy than competition (600g)
30
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (205 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic socket
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Canon SX20 IS vs Ricoh CX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Ricoh CX5
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISRicoh CX5
General Information
Company Canon Ricoh
Model Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Ricoh CX5
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2010-07-06 2011-07-19
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 Smooth Imaging Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 28-300mm (10.7x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.5-5.6
Macro focus range 0cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.80 m 4.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600 gr (1.32 lbs) 205 gr (0.45 lbs)
Dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 102 x 59 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model 4 x AA DB-100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2, 10 or Custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $500 $399