Nikon L810 vs Ricoh CX5: Which Small Sensor Superzoom Suits Your Photography Journey?

In the crowded world of compact superzoom cameras, two models from the early 2010s vie for attention: the Nikon Coolpix L810 and the Ricoh CX5. Both promise versatile zoom ranges and beginner-friendly usability, but beneath the surface, they cater to different priorities and shooting styles. As experienced camera testers, we've evaluated their specs, usability, and real-world performance across diverse photography disciplines to give you a clear guide on which model aligns with your creative needs.

Getting to Know the Contenders: Physical Design and Build

Before diving into performance, ergonomics govern how intuitive and comfortable shooting becomes. Compact cameras in this class often balance pocketability with grip and control access.

Nikon L810: Larger and heavier, the L810 provides a comfortable grip but may feel bulky for street or travel photographers seeking discretion. The use of standard AA batteries is a mixed blessing: widely available globally and easy to swap, but less energy-dense, meaning moderate battery life (approx. 300 shots).

Ricoh CX5: Significantly smaller and lighter, the CX5 fits comfortably into jackets or small bags, lending itself well to candid or on-the-go shooting. The proprietary lithium-ion battery requires charging but delivers adequate endurance for a day’s shooting.

Our take: If size and weight are critical factors for your photography, the CX5 wins hands down. For home or staged shoots, the L810 offers a more substantial handle and solid build, which some users prefer.

Control Layout and User Interface: A Closer Look

User interface shapes how quickly you can adapt settings and seize moments.

The L810 favors simplicity - no manual focus, limited exposure control, fixed screen, and no touch interface. Its controls rely on a traditional command dial and basic buttons, suitable for beginners who want point-and-shoot ease.

The CX5 introduces more manual options, including manual focus, manual exposure mode, and exposure compensation. The controls are compact but well placed, easing transitions to more advanced shooting techniques.

Both cameras utilize a 3-inch, fixed LCD display without touchscreen capability.

Display clarity is comparable with resolutions near 920 dots, sufficient for composing and reviewing shots in typical daylight conditions, though not ideal under direct sun.

Practical insight: You'll appreciate the Ricoh's extra manual control as you grow in your photography. The Nikon’s straightforward layout is less daunting for absolute beginners but may limit creative flexibility sooner.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Each Camera

Sensor technology fundamentally impacts image fidelity, dynamic range, noise handling, and color reproduction.

CCD versus CMOS: The L810’s CCD sensor is known for good color depth and rich tones but generally struggles more with noise at higher ISOs. The CX5’s CMOS sensor, accompanied by Ricoh’s Smooth Imaging Engine IV processor, excels in noise control and higher ISO use, important for low-light performance.

Resolution: Although the L810 offers 16MP compared to 10MP on the CX5, higher pixel count on a small sensor can lead to increased noise and limited dynamic range. In practice, the CX5 delivers cleaner images under dim conditions, while the L810’s higher pixels allow more cropping flexibility.

ISO: The Nikon caps at ISO 1600, whereas the Ricoh doubles it to ISO 3200, helpful for night or indoor shooting.

Color and dynamic range: Both cameras include a low-pass filter, slightly softening images but helping to avoid aliasing artifacts.

Performance in Portrait Photography: Rendering Skin and Depth

Portraiture demands smooth, natural skin tones, eye contact detection, and aesthetically pleasing background blur.

• Nikon L810: Boasts a longer effective zoom (23-585mm) with a 26× zoom factor, helpful for tight portraits from a distance. However, its maximum aperture (F3.1-5.9) limits shallow depth of field and bokeh quality. Face detection AF helps focus on subjects’ eyes but lacks eye and animal eye tracking, which are now more common in modern systems.
• Ricoh CX5: Shorter zoom range (28-300mm, 10.7×) but better control thanks to manual focus and exposure modes. Aperture maxes out at F3.5-5.6, similar to the Nikon but with slightly narrower range. No face or eye detection autofocus, which means more manual intervention needed for precise portrait focusing.

Real-world usage: The L810’s extended zoom range is an asset when shooting candid portraits or at social events where you can't be close. The CX5’s manual controls are better for deliberate studio or portrait work using natural light and composition.

Landscape Photography: Capturing Expansive Views

Landscape shooters prioritize wide angle, sharpness, color fidelity, and dynamic range.

The L810’s wider 23mm equivalent focal length allows more expansive framing, critical in cramped vantage points. Both lack weather sealing, limiting exposure to harsh conditions. Cine-like dynamic range is limited by sensor technology; highlights may clip easily on bright skies, especially on the Nikon’s CCD sensor.

Practical recommendation: Both can be used for beautiful landscapes, but expect to rely on post-processing for highlight recovery and noise reduction. Using polarizing or ND filters (if possible) enhances results.

Wildlife and Sports Photography: Speed and Tracking

Here, autofocus speed, burst rate, and reach matter most.

The Nikon’s extended zoom is a clear advantage for wildlife where you need distance compression. But its slow continuous shooting of just 1.2 fps, coupled with limited autofocus speed, hampers capturing fast-moving subjects. The Ricoh yields faster burst shooting (5 fps), better suited for brief action sequences, but with significantly less telephoto reach.

Neither model offers advanced AF tracking or phase detection autofocus, so maintaining focus on erratically moving subjects remains a challenge with both. Shutter speeds in the CX5 max out at 1/2000 sec, potentially limiting freeze-frame capabilities compared to Nikon’s 1/8000.

Our insight: Neither camera was designed for serious sports or wildlife; consider them for casual or opportunistic shooting here.

Street Photography and Low-Light Use: Portability and Discretion

The CX5’s compact, slim profile makes it ideal for street photographers who want to travel light and remain inconspicuous. Its fast start-up and manual focus options help capture spontaneous moments.

The Nikon’s heft and larger lens barrel are less discreet but offer longer zoom and image stabilization, helpful when shooting distant scenes without a tripod.

Both cameras have sensor-shift stabilization - beneficial for handheld night shots but no built-in viewfinder to aid composition in sunlight.

Low-light ISO handling favors the CX5 due to its higher max ISO and modern CMOS sensor, giving cleaner low-light shots.

Macro Photography: Close-Up Potential

Macro enthusiasts value minimum focusing distance and stabilization to capture extreme close-ups.

Both models impressively offer 1 cm macro focusing, allowing fine detail capture on subjects like flowers or insects. The sensor-shift stabilization improves handheld macro potential, but magnification isn’t true macro (1:1). For critical work, additional extension tubes or dedicated macro lenses on interchangeable systems are better.

Night and Astro Photography: Pushing the ISO Envelope

For astro or night shooting, sensor sensitivity and noise control are crucial.

The Ricoh CX5, with its CMOS sensor and ISO up to 3200, handles dim conditions and star fields with greater clarity than the Nikon L810’s ISO 1600 CCD sensor. Longer exposure is possible on the L810 (up to 30 sec shutter), whereas the CX5 only offers 8 sec max, limiting certain long exposures required for star trail photography.

Neither camera supports RAW image capture, so post-processing flexibility for astrophotography is restricted.

Video Capabilities: Moving Images Compared

Both cameras offer basic 720p HD video at 30 fps, suitable for casual clips but not professional video work. The Nikon’s HDMI output lets you view playback externally, while the Ricoh lacks this feature. Neither includes mic inputs or advanced video modes (such as 4K or slow motion), limiting creative video options.

Travel Photography: Versatility and Endurance

Travel demands a balance of zoom, size, battery life, and storage.

• Nikon L810: The 26× zoom covers from wide to extreme telephoto. Its AA battery compatibility lets you swap batteries globally without scams or need for charging. Larger size is a drawback for busy travel days.
• Ricoh CX5: Smaller and lighter with less zoom range but superior high ISO noise performance. Proprietary battery can be a concern if you can’t charge often.

Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with single card slots, sufficient for casual shooting but limiting backup options.

Tip: For travel, weigh the tradeoff between zoom reach (L810) and portability (CX5), depending on itinerary and shooting style.

Professional Considerations: File Formats and Workflows

Neither camera supports raw image capture, a significant limitation for professional post-processing and flexible color grading. JPEG-only output may suit casual shooters, but advanced users will find this constraining.

Limited manual controls on L810 (no exposure compensation, no manual exposure) restrict creative workflows. The Ricoh’s inclusion of manual exposure and focus enhances control but remains modest compared to interchangeable-lens cameras.

Summary Table: Head-to-Head Comparison

Nikon L810 front Nikon L810 screen back Ricoh CX5 front Ricoh CX5 screen back

Breaking Down the Scores: Our Overall Performance Ratings

• Image Quality: Ricoh CX5 edges out for low light and cleaner images; Nikon L810 for resolution and telephoto reach.
• Handling: CX5 preferred for portability; L810 favored for grip.
• Performance: CX5’s faster burst and manual controls earn higher marks.
• Video: Both basic, no clear winner.
• Value: L810’s lower price is attractive for budget buyers.

Specialty Genres: Which Camera Fits Best?

• Portraits: Nikon L810 benefits from longer zoom and face detection.
• Landscape: Tie, with L810’s wider angle balanced by CX5’s better noise control.
• Wildlife: L810 zoom is better, but slow burst hurts.
• Sports: CX5’s faster burst favors action.
• Street: CX5’s compactness excels.
• Macro: Both on par.
• Night/Astro: CX5’s higher ISO and noise advantage.
• Video: Both only good for casual clips.
• Travel: Depends on priority: zoom (L810) vs size/weight (CX5).
• Professional: Neither ideal due to lack of RAW; CX5 more flexible manual controls.

Final Advice: Who Should Buy Which?

Choose Nikon Coolpix L810 if:

• You value extended zoom reach for wildlife, sports, or distant portraits.
• You prefer widely available AA batteries for long days out or travel.
• You want simple point-and-shoot operation without diving into manual modes.
• Your budget is tighter, seeking a superzoom at a bargain price.

Choose Ricoh CX5 if:

• You prioritize portability and discreet shooting in street or travel photography.
• You want more manual control over exposure and focus for creative experimentation.
• Low-light shooting and cleaner high ISO images matter to your workflow.
• You appreciate faster continuous shooting to capture action sequences.

Getting the Most from Your Compact Superzoom

Whichever you pick, remember these compact superzooms are stepping stones for creativity:

• Shoot in good light for optimal results.
• Pair with quality SD cards for faster write speeds.
• Learn manual exposure basics if possible - especially on the CX5.
• Use stabilization actively; sensor-shift helps but hold steady.
• Explore accessories like tripods or external flashes within the camera’s limits.

Conclusion: Cameras That Serve Different Purposes on Your Creative Path

The Nikon Coolpix L810 and Ricoh CX5 offer distinctive strengths reflective of their design priorities. The L810 champions zoom power and battery convenience, serving photographers wanting reach and uncomplicated shooting. The CX5 excels in portability and manual flexibility, suiting those advancing toward more controlled imaging in varied situations.

Neither is a professional powerhouse, but both provide accessible entry points for enthusiasts seeking diverse effects with a small sensor.

We encourage you to try handling both cameras in person where possible and consider how their features align with your photographic goals. Hands-on testing reveals nuances beyond specs and prepares you to invest in a tool that inspires your creative exploration.

Happy shooting!

If you want to learn more about small-sensor superzoom cameras or explore lenses and accessories that pair well with your choice, check out our detailed guides and camera reviews.