Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh CX3
89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36


92 Imaging
33 Features
35 Overall
33
Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh CX3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
- 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
- Launched January 2012
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
- 206g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
- Announced June 2010

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh CX3 Overview
Here, we will be contrasting the Olympus SZ-12 versus Ricoh CX3, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Olympus and Ricoh. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the SZ-12 (14MP) and CX3 (10MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SZ-12 was launched 20 months later than the CX3 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before delving into a more detailed comparison, here is a short introduction of how the SZ-12 grades versus the CX3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh CX3 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SZ-12 and Ricoh CX3. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery and Ricoh CX3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Ricoh CX3
SZ-12 | CX3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2012 | ![]() | June 2010 | Fresher by 20 months |
Reasons to pick Ricoh CX3 over the Olympus SZ-12
CX3 | SZ-12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer screen (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Ricoh CX3
SZ-12 | CX3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch friendly screen |
Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh CX3 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is planning to carry your camera, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-12 features outside dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Ricoh CX3 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).
Examine the Olympus SZ-12 versus Ricoh CX3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the SZ-12 and the CX3.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-12 and CX3 is 89 and 92 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh CX3 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing purely by going over a spec sheet. The visual underneath will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-12 and CX3.
Clearly, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should expect the Olympus SZ-12 to offer you extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The fresher SZ-12 provides an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh CX3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh CX3 Specifications
Olympus SZ-12 | Ricoh CX3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Ricoh |
Model | Olympus SZ-12 | Ricoh CX3 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2012-01-10 | 2010-06-16 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Smooth Imaging Engine IV |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 |
Peak resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 3648 x 2736 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | 28-300mm (10.7x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | f/3.5-5.6 |
Macro focus distance | - | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 460k dot | 920k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4 seconds | 8 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1700 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | - | 4.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 226g (0.50 lbs) | 206g (0.45 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") | 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 life | 220 pictures | - |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | LI-50B | DB-100 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) | Yes (2, 10 or Custom) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC card, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $350 | $329 |