Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh CX1
89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36


93 Imaging
32 Features
30 Overall
31
Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh CX1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
- 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
- Released January 2012
(Full Review)
- 9MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 28-200mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
- 180g - 102 x 58 x 28mm
- Introduced February 2009

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh CX1 Overview
On this page, we will be looking at the Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh CX1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Ricoh. There exists a substantial gap between the image resolutions of the SZ-12 (14MP) and CX1 (9MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The SZ-12 was brought out 2 years later than the CX1 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before delving into a thorough comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the SZ-12 matches up vs the CX1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh CX1 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SZ-12 & Ricoh CX1. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery & Ricoh CX1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Ricoh CX1
SZ-12 | CX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2012 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 36 months |
Reasons to pick Ricoh CX1 over the Olympus SZ-12
CX1 | SZ-12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Ricoh CX1
SZ-12 | CX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch screen |
Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh CX1 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-12 has got outer measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Ricoh CX1 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).
Examine the Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh CX1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the SZ-12 vs the CX1.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-12 and CX1 is 89 and 93 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh CX1 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it can be difficult to see the difference between sensor measurements just by going over specifications. The graphic here will offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-12 and CX1.
To sum up, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Olympus SZ-12 to deliver greater detail having its extra 5 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more recent SZ-12 is going to have an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh CX1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh CX1 Specifications
Olympus SZ-12 | Ricoh CX1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Ricoh |
Model type | Olympus SZ-12 | Ricoh CX1 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2012-01-10 | 2009-02-19 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | 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 area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 9 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 |
Full resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 3456 x 2592 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | 28-200mm (7.1x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focusing range | - | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 460k dots | 920k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4 seconds | 8 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1700 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0fps | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 3.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, 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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 226 grams (0.50 lb) | 180 grams (0.40 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") | 102 x 58 x 28mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 220 shots | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | LI-50B | DB-70 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) | Yes (2, 10 or Custom) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC card, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch price | $350 | $299 |