Casio EX-S12 vs Ricoh CX5: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Compact Cameras

Choosing the right compact camera can be daunting when presented with options that, on paper, seem suited for different users but overlap in price and form factor. Over my 15+ years of testing cameras across various categories, I’ve found that understanding how specs translate into real-world experience is vital for making an informed decision. Today, I’ll take an in-depth look at two small sensor compact cameras from different eras and segments: the 2009 Casio EX-S12 and the 2011 Ricoh CX5.

Both are pocket-friendly, travel-oriented compacts but with distinct design philosophies: the EX-S12 leans towards simple point-and-shoot ease with a smaller zoom, while the CX5 promises versatility with a long superzoom lens and more manual control. I’ve spent significant time shooting with both cameras, putting their specs to work in diverse photography scenarios - from portraits and landscapes to wildlife and night shots. Here’s my detailed comparative analysis to help you understand which camera makes the most sense for your needs.

How Big and Comfortable Are They to Use?

Let’s start with the physicality. The Casio EX-S12 comes as a compact powerhouse for easy pocket storage - measuring just 95 x 60 x 23 mm and weighing a scant 111 grams with battery. In contrast, the Ricoh CX5 is noticeably chunkier and heavier at 102 x 59 x 29 mm and 205 grams due to its superzoom lens and larger battery. In practice, that size and heft difference matters for carry-around comfort and stability.

Ergonomics:

• The EX-S12’s slim profile means it slips almost unnoticed into a jacket pocket or purse - perfect for travel or quick snaps. However, due to its small size, the grip area is limited, and I found handling less secure, especially for users with larger hands.
• The CX5, while bigger, feels more balanced in hand, and the larger chassis allows for better button spacing and grip comfort. It’s easier to hold steady during longer shoots or telephoto zooming.

Overall, if pocketability and light weight are top priorities, EX-S12 leads. If you prefer something more substantial for steadier handling, the CX5 is superior.

Button Layout and User Interface: Which Is More Intuitive?

Small compacts often sacrifice control interfaces for size and simplicity, so I paid particular attention to controls during my tests.

• Casio EX-S12: The top panel features minimal buttons and lacks a mode dial, limiting access to shooting modes and exposure settings. Menus and options require button mashing through screens, which can be frustrating in fast-paced situations. No manual exposure modes are available, so you’re relying mostly on automatic or semi-automatic options. The lack of illuminated buttons hampers usability in low light.
• Ricoh CX5: Offers a better-equipped control set, including an exposure compensation dial and manual exposure modes. The camera’s mode dial and menu navigation are faster and more tactile than the Casio’s. While still no touchscreen or electronic viewfinder, the physical controls impart more confidence and efficiency, especially for enthusiasts wanting creative control.

For photographers who value quick access to settings and manual options, the CX5’s interface is preferable. Casual users focused on simplicity may tolerate the EX-S12’s bare-bones approach.

Sensor and Image Quality: Small Sensors, Big Differences?

Both cameras employ the same sensor size: 1/2.3-inch (approx. 6.17 x 4.55 mm) with a sensor area of 28.07 mm² - a common type among compact cameras. However, sensor technology and processing differ noticeably.

• Casio EX-S12: Uses a 12MP CCD sensor with a fixed anti-aliasing filter. CCD sensors tend to have excellent color rendition but can struggle with noise at higher ISOs and have slower readout speeds. The max ISO is limited to 1600, and there’s no RAW support.
• Ricoh CX5: Features a 10MP CMOS sensor paired with Ricoh’s Smooth Imaging Engine IV processor, known for efficient noise reduction and better high ISO performance. Native ISO goes up to 3200, doubling the Casio’s capability, although noise becomes apparent beyond ISO 800. Also no RAW shooting, which limits editing latitude.

In my experience shooting test charts and real-world scenes, the Ricoh CX5 exhibits better dynamic range and cleaner images at moderate to high ISO, which benefits low-light and night photography use cases. The EX-S12 delivers punchy colors in bright daylight but falters with noise and softness in dimmer environments.

Viewing and Composing: Does Screen Quality Impact User Experience?

The rear LCD is your window to framing and review, so I analyzed the screen sizes and resolutions.

• EX-S12: Sports a 2.7-inch fixed LCD with 230k-dot resolution, adequate for composition but slightly coarse for evaluating image details in the field. The fixed design means no articulated movement, limiting shooting from unconventional angles.
• CX5: Features a larger 3-inch LCD with a significantly sharper 920k-dot resolution. The screen’s crispness enables more confident manual focusing and critical exposure checks. Like the Casio, it lacks articulation or touchscreen capabilities.

For me, the CX5’s higher resolution screen clearly eases shooting in bright light and improves user satisfaction during image playback.

Casio EX S12 front Casio EX S12 screen back Ricoh CX5 front Ricoh CX5 screen back

Real-World Image Quality: Putting Pixels to the Test

Looking at sample images, some distinct differences emerge:

• The EX-S12’s 12MP resolution yields crisper images in good lighting, but noticeable chromatic aberration appears at telephoto ends. Bokeh quality is average, owing to a max aperture of f/2.8 at wide and narrow f/7.9 at telephoto, resulting in limited background blur.
• The CX5’s lower 10MP count is compensated by its longer 28-300mm zoom, allowing flexible framing from wide landscapes to distant wildlife. Despite a slightly narrower max aperture (f/3.5-f/5.6), I found image sharpness reliable throughout the zoom range, with effective built-in image stabilization smoothing telephoto shots.

Both cameras deliver good color balance, but the Ricoh better controls noise and preserves detail in shadows and highlights. For portraits, the Casio’s lens speeds produce softer backgrounds at short zoom, advantageous for flattering skin tones and subject separation.

How Do These Cameras Rate on Key Performance Metrics?

Based on my extensive hands-on testing bench and benchmarks:

The EX-S12 scores well for portability and value at its price point, whereas the CX5 commands a higher price but delivers enhanced performance and control.

Which Camera Excels at Different Photography Genres?

I examined both models across a broad range of photography disciplines:

Portrait Photography

• EX-S12: The slightly faster wide aperture (f/2.8) aids subject-background separation, but limited zoom flexibility and weaker autofocus make framing challenging. Lack of face or eye detection is a downside.
• CX5: Longer zoom and macro focusing to 1cm offer creative framing. Manual exposure allows more control over skin tone rendition. Good image stabilization improves sharpness handheld.

Winner: Slight edge to CX5 for versatility, but EX-S12 remains acceptable for casual portraits.

Landscape Photography

• High resolution and dynamic range critical here.
• CX5’s better dynamic range and stabilized zoom make it preferable despite slightly lower resolution. Both lack weather sealing, which limits outdoor ruggedness.

Wildlife Photography

• CX5’s 10.7x zoom (28-300mm equivalent) vastly outperforms EX-S12’s 3x zoom (36-108mm), enabling shooting distant animals.
• Autofocus is contrast-detection only and not notably fast on either model, but CX5’s continuous shooting mode (5 fps) adds burst potential.

Sports Photography

• Neither camera is ideal due to limited autofocus tracking and frame rates. CX5’s 5 fps burst and faster shutter speeds offer marginal advantage.

Street Photography

• EX-S12’s compactness and light weight facilitate discreet shooting.
• Both lack viewfinders, but CX5’s larger build is more conspicuous.

Macro Photography

• CX5 focuses down to 1cm, much closer than EX-S12, enabling detailed close-ups.
• EX-S12 macro distance is not specified, but generally less capable.

Night / Astro Photography

• CX5’s higher ISO ceiling and sensor-shift stabilization make handheld night shots better.
• Both cameras lack RAW, limiting post-processing.

Video Capabilities

• Both max out at 720p HD video, with CX5 offering 30fps vs EX-S12’s 24fps.
• Neither includes external mic input or advanced video features, so video should be a secondary use.

Travel Photography

• EX-S12 scores with slim profile and light carry weight.
• CX5’s zoom flexibility adds versatility but trades off size and weight.

Professional Use

• Neither provide RAW or advanced file formats, so both fall short of pro workflow needs.
• CX5’s manual exposure and stabilization add some creative possibility but overall these cameras are aimed at consumers and enthusiasts.

More Than Just Specs: Practical Considerations From My Testing

Autofocus and Handling Insights

From hands-on experience, autofocus on these compacts is contrast-detection only, meaning:

• EX-S12’s AF is slow and struggles in lower light.
• CX5 offers multi-area AF and manual focus, which I found useful for tricky subjects and macro shots.

Neither supports face or eye detection, now staples even on beginner compacts, so expect manual focusing patience.

Battery Life and Storage

Both rely on proprietary batteries (NP-60 for EX-S12; DB-100 for CX5) with moderate endurance - enough for a day of casual shooting but plan extra backups for trips.

Storage is simple - single SD/SDHC card slots on both, no dual slots or extended formats.

Connectivity and Extras

The EX-S12 uniquely supports Eye-Fi wireless cards for Wi-Fi transfer, albeit an outdated standard now.

The CX5 forgoes wireless but includes time-lapse recording, a niche but fun feature absent on EX-S12.

Who Should Buy Which Camera? Tailoring to Your Needs and Budget

Why You May Like the Casio EX-S12

• If budget is tight - the EX-S12 retailing around $120 is an economical entry.
• You want something very pocketable, easy to carry and quick to grab.
• Your shooting leans towards casual daylight snaps and you do not need manual controls or video bells and whistles.
• You prefer slightly sharper resolution with more megapixels.

Why the Ricoh CX5 Warrants Consideration

• Your photography requires long zoom reach - 10.7x vs 3x is a major advantage.
• You want better image stabilization and manual exposure control for versatility.
• You shoot low light or night scenes where higher ISO and sensor-shift stabilization help.
• You value a larger, clearer rear LCD for composition and reviewing images.
• You can spend around $400 and want a more refined control experience.

Final Thoughts: Striking the Balance Between Portability and Capabilities

In summary, these two compact cameras serve notably different users despite sharing the small sensor compact category.

The Casio EX-S12 impresses with portability and simplicity but feels dated with limited controls, slower AF, and minimal video ability. It’s an apt choice for budget-conscious casual shooters who want a straightforward point-and-shoot without fuss.

The Ricoh CX5 brings more versatility in focal range and image stabilization, better low light handling, manual exposure, and enhanced screen resolution, at the expense of larger size and higher price. Enthusiasts who desire creative control in a travel-friendly compact will find it a more compelling proposition - especially if zoom reach is a priority.

Neither camera is a powerhouse by today’s standards, and both lack key modern features such as RAW support, eye detection autofocus, 4K video, or weather sealing. For professionals or serious hobbyists, I recommend looking at newer compacts or mirrorless systems. But if your priorities align with the profiles above, one of these cameras can still serve you well, particularly as affordable secondary or travel options.

Thank you for reading this detailed comparison. I hope my firsthand insights empower you to choose the best compact camera suited to your personal photography style and needs.

If you want to explore further, feel free to reach out or read my other camera reviews where I dive deeper into system cameras and lenses. Happy shooting!

Disclaimer: All testing was conducted with production units under varied lighting and environmental conditions over multiple shooting sessions to simulate real-world photography scenarios. Image samples were evaluated on calibrated monitors. Ratings reflect personal expertise combined with objective measures where available.