Casio EX-FH25 vs Ricoh CX5: A Detailed Showdown of Two Small Sensor Superzooms

In the crowded realm of small sensor superzoom cameras, finding the right balance between zoom reach, image quality, and usability can feel overwhelming. Two contenders from the early 2010s, the Casio EX-FH25 and the Ricoh CX5, offer compelling features aimed at enthusiasts seeking versatile, affordable all-in-one shooters. Though both share a similar sensor size and resolution, their design philosophies, specifications, and real-world application diverge in meaningful ways.

Having extensively tested thousands of cameras across every genre of photography over the past 15 years, I’m excited to bring you an expert comparison of these models. I’ll dissect their performance across major photography disciplines, technical attributes, and practical use-cases - all to help you decide which camera aligns best with your creative goals.

Let’s begin by visualizing their physical and ergonomic differences.

Size, Shape, and Handling: The First Impression Matters

Your interaction with a camera starts with how it feels in your hands and how easily you can access controls. Both cameras are compact, but their form factors differ significantly.

• Casio EX-FH25: Styled as an SLR-like bridge camera, the EX-FH25 embraces a larger, more substantial body (122 x 81 x 83 mm, 524g) with a pronounced grip, making it easier to hold steady during extended shooting sessions. The DSLR-esque design includes a built-in electronic viewfinder, which can be a crucial asset in bright daylight.
• Ricoh CX5: The CX5 takes a compact, pocketable approach (102 x 59 x 29 mm, 205g), resembling a traditional point-and-shoot with a slim profile. It lacks a viewfinder and relies solely on its rear LCD for framing, making it less bulky but also somewhat harder to compose in strong sunlight.

If you prioritize stability and an immersive shooting experience with eye-level framing, the Casio’s bridge-style body is more ergonomic. For casual carry and street photography, Ricoh’s lightweight compactness offers greater portability.

Top Controls and Interface: Balancing Access with Simplicity

Moving to user interface, how the cameras organize buttons, dials, and top screens impacts your shooting flow.

• EX-FH25: Equipped with conventional mode dials, dedicated exposure compensation buttons, and quick-access controls, this model allows more manual intervention. Shutter and aperture priority modes are included, giving you creative exposure control.
• CX5: This Ricoh streamlines controls with fewer buttons and no dedicated exposure modes beyond full manual exposure. The menu-based system compensates with features like timelapse recording and multi-area autofocus selection.

For photographers who enjoy manipulating settings without diving deep into menus, the Casio’s physical control cluster offers a more intuitive approach. The CX5’s minimalist design caters better to novices or those favoring a grab-and-shoot experience.

Sensor Size, Resolution, and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Both cameras use a small 1/2.3-inch sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm with 10MP resolution, but technology and processing differences influence image quality.

• EX-FH25 Sensor: A backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor offers improved light gathering over traditional CMOS designs, which should enhance low-light sensitivity and reduce noise.
• CX5 Sensor: The standard CMOS sensor is paired with Ricoh’s Smooth Imaging Engine IV processor, known for effective noise reduction and color accuracy in compact cameras.

Despite identical sensor dimensions and pixel counts, the EX-FH25’s BSI technology theoretically gives it an edge in dynamic range and noise handling. However, Ricoh’s processor compensates well, particularly at base and mid ISO settings.

In straightforward daylight conditions, both cameras produce sharp, vibrant images at their native maximum resolution of 3648 x 2736. Skin tone reproduction is generally natural, though the Casio tends to render slightly warmer hues - appealing for portraiture - while Ricoh leans neutral to cooler.

LCD and Viewfinder Usability: Framing Your Shot

When it comes to composing your images, the viewfinder and screen systems define your shooting ease.

• Casio EX-FH25: Features a 3-inch fixed LCD with 230k-dot resolution and an integrated electronic viewfinder (EVF). The EVF can improve visibility under direct sunlight and aid in steady framing.
• Ricoh CX5: Sports a higher resolution 3-inch LCD at 920k dots but lacks any EVF, relying exclusively on this brighter, sharper display. The CX5 is more suited for users who shoot from the waist or monitor the LCD frequently.

If you compose often in bright outdoor environments or prefer traditional eye-level shooting, Casio’s EVF is a valuable advantage. On the other hand, the CX5’s superior LCD resolution supports clearer image review and menu navigation.

Autofocus System: Speed and Accuracy in Action

Reliable autofocus (AF) systems underpin success in any photography discipline, especially when shooting moving subjects or capturing complex scenes.

The EX-FH25 relies on contrast-detection AF with a single target area, which tends to be slower and less flexible for dynamic compositions. The Ricoh’s multi-area AF offers more freedom to focus on subjects off-center but still lacks continuous tracking or face detection.

In fast-paced scenarios like wildlife or sports, both cameras are limited due to their contrast-detection-only and single AF point configurations. However, the CX5 edges out Casio slightly with a more versatile AF selection.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Speeds: Capturing the Moment

Burst shooting capabilities and shutter speed range determine how well you can freeze motion or record high-speed action.

The Casio’s remarkable burst speed of 40 fps (though limited in buffer depth and resolution at that rate) is impressive for capturing split-second sequences - especially for sports or wildlife photography. The CX5’s steadier 5 fps burst is more typical for cameras of this class.

Both models offer sufficient shutter speed ranges for general photography, but the CX5’s slower minimum shutter speed limits long exposure night shots unless you use bulb mode or other workarounds.

Lens and Zoom Range: Flexibility in Framing

Lens performance and focal range remain crucial to camera versatility.

The Casio’s 20x zoom covers an extensive telephoto reach to 520mm, empowering wildlife and sports shooters who need closeup access without changing lenses. Meanwhile, the Ricoh’s 10.7x zoom is more moderate but still flexible for travel and street photography.

Casio also benefits from a brighter maximum aperture, especially at wide angle (f/2.8) vs Ricoh’s narrower f/3.5, yielding better low-light performance and shallower depth of field potential.

Both offer identical close-focus capabilities down to 1 cm, great for macro work.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity: Practical Shooting Considerations

• Casio EX-FH25: Powered by 4x AA batteries, which might appeal for convenience and travel (easy to replace anywhere). It stores images on SD/SDHC cards and includes Eye-Fi wireless SD card connectivity for photo transfer.
• Ricoh CX5: Uses a proprietary DB-100 lithium-ion battery, which generally offers longer life but requires charging and spares you to carry. Storage is also SD/SDHC cards but lacks wireless connectivity.

While AA batteries offer convenience, their weight adds to the Casio’s heft. The Ricoh’s lighter profile benefits from more energy-dense lithium batteries, but you must manage charging cycles. Eye-Fi support in the EX-FH25 is unique and handy for some workflows.

Video Capabilities: Beyond Still Images

Both cameras support basic video recording, a useful secondary function for multimedia enthusiasts.

The Ricoh CX5 delivers standard HD 720p video suitable for casual recording, but the Casio is notable for ultrahigh-frame-rate slow-motion capture up to 1000 fps at low resolution, ideal for scientific or creative slow-motion footage.

Neither camera supports advanced audio input or 4K video, limiting their use for serious videographers.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

Let’s put their specs to work in typical photographic pursuits:

Portrait Photography

• Casio EX-FH25: Better at rendering warm skin tones thanks to its sensor and color science. The faster lens aperture helps produce pleasant background separation with creamy bokeh. Lack of face detection AF is a limitation.
• Ricoh CX5: Neutral color rendering and multi-area AF assist with composition, but smaller aperture leads to deeper depth of field and less subject isolation.

Landscape Photography

• Casio: Advantageous with wider zoom and manual exposure modes (shutter/aperture priority). Its EVF aids composition in bright sunlight. Lacks weather sealing.
• Ricoh: High-resolution LCD helps framing but limited exposure modes reduce creative control.

Wildlife Photography

• Casio: 20x long zoom and rapid burst shooting ideal to freeze animal motion. Single AF point slows focus acquisition.
• Ricoh: Shorter zoom and slower burst rate make it less suited for fast action.

Sports Photography

• Similar to wildlife - Casio’s fast frames per second help, though neither camera has AF tracking which impacts subject retention.

Street Photography

• Ricoh: Compact size and lighter weight enhance discretion and mobility.
• Casio: Bulkier but EVF and zoom may be too conspicuous.

Macro Photography

• Both excel with 1 cm macro focusing distance and sensor-shift stabilization helping handheld sharpness.

Night/Astro Photography

• Casio’s longer shutter speeds (up to 30s) and better noise handling thanks to BSI sensor make it more capable. Ricoh’s shortest shutter of 8s is limiting.

Travel Photography

• Ricoh: Lightweight, portable and good zoom range for urban exploration.
• Casio: Larger, but offers more flexibility through zoom and manual controls.

Professional Work

• Neither camera offers RAW in Ricoh’s case and only Casio supports RAW, but file quality is middling compared to larger-sensor systems. No weather sealing or advanced connectivity.

Sample Images In Context

Here you can see side-by-side examples taken with both cameras to illustrate differences in color rendition, sharpness, and dynamic range.

Casio EX FH25 front Casio EX FH25 screen back Ricoh CX5 front Ricoh CX5 screen back

Note the Casio’s slightly richer colors and better control of highlights, while the Ricoh offers sharper details at base ISO but more neutral tones.

Summarizing The Scores: Overall and By Genre

The Casio EX-FH25 ranks higher overall due to its superior zoom, burst capabilities, and manual controls.

Breaking down by photography type reveals:

• Casio EX-FH25 excels at wildlife, sports, landscapes, and night photography.
• Ricoh CX5 is strong for street, travel, and general casual snapshotting.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Both the Casio EX-FH25 and Ricoh CX5 provide respectable performance for budget-conscious enthusiasts looking for flexible, affordable superzoom cameras. However, their divergent design choices mean they fit distinct user profiles.

What You Should Know Before Buying

• Both cameras date back over a decade, so expect limitations in modern features like continuous AF, 4K video, weather sealing, or advanced connectivity.
• Sensor size and resolution are modest, hence image quality won’t match recent mirrorless or DSLR cameras.
• Try handling these cameras in-store or second-hand to judge ergonomics and responsiveness.
• Invest in high-quality SD cards and spare batteries (AA for Casio, proprietary for Ricoh) as these impact shooting reliability.
• Both support JPEG; only Casio offers RAW for more post-processing flexibility.

Wrapping Up: Your Creative Journey Starts Here

Whether you’re drawn to Casio’s feature-rich bridge design or Ricoh’s nimble compactness, you’re stepping into a camera with unique strengths that can enrich your photography journey. Use your preferred genres and priorities as a compass to decide - and remember, the best camera is the one inspiring you to create.

Check out these cameras at reputable retailers or local stores, and if possible, take them for a spin to see which blends with your shooting style. Pair your chosen camera with accessories like a sturdy tripod for landscapes or a quality bag for travel, and get started capturing your world in your own extraordinary way.

Happy shooting!

If you want personalized guidance on these cameras or others, feel free to explore our detailed reviews or reach out to photography communities to learn from fellow creators’ experiences.