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Olympus SZ-15 vs Ricoh CX4

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Ricoh CX4 front
Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
34
Overall
34

Olympus SZ-15 vs Ricoh CX4 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-15
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
  • Released June 2013
Ricoh CX4
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
  • 205g - 102 x 59 x 29mm
  • Released August 2010
Photography Glossary

Olympus SZ-15 vs Ricoh CX4 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Olympus SZ-15 and Ricoh CX4, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Ricoh. There is a significant difference between the resolutions of the SZ-15 (16MP) and CX4 (10MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-15 was revealed 2 years after the CX4 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a detailed comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the SZ-15 scores against the CX4 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Ricoh CX4

 SZ-15 CX4 
ReleasedJune 2013August 2010Newer by 35 months

Reasons to pick Ricoh CX4 over the Olympus SZ-15

 CX4 SZ-15 
Display resolution920k460kCrisper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Ricoh CX4

 SZ-15 CX4 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Olympus SZ-15 vs Ricoh CX4 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-15 has got outer measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Ricoh CX4 has measurements of 102mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SZ-15 and Ricoh CX4 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at the time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the SZ-15 and the CX4.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Ricoh CX4 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-15 and CX4 is 88 and 92 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Ricoh CX4 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Ricoh CX4 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reviewing specs. The pic below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-15 and CX4.

All in all, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Olympus SZ-15 to offer greater detail because of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will let you crop pics far more aggressively. The fresher SZ-15 will have an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Ricoh CX4 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Ricoh CX4 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-15 vs Ricoh CX4 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Portrait photography highlights
Ricoh CX4 Portrait photography highlights
44
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
features face detect focus
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
27
has manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Street photography highlights
Ricoh CX4 Street photography highlights
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (250g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (205 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Sports photography advice
Ricoh CX4 Sports photography advice
53
amazing zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
25
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Travel photography camera
Ricoh CX4 as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than others in class (250g)
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (23mm)
long zoom (483mm)
lack of Timelapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
66
lighter than competition in class (205g)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Landscape photography camera
Ricoh CX4 as a Landscape photography camera
49
focusing manually
relatively wide (23mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
42
has manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Vlogging info
Ricoh CX4 Vlogging info
34
relatively wide (23mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (250 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of microphone socket
30
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (205g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic socket
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Ricoh CX4 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Ricoh CX4
 Olympus SZ-15Ricoh CX4
General Information
Company Olympus Ricoh
Model Olympus SZ-15 Ricoh CX4
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-06-21 2010-08-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Smooth Imaging Engine IV
Sensor type CCD BSI-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 16MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 23-483mm (21.0x) 28-300mm (10.7x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.5-5.6
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 4.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 250 gr (0.55 lbs) 205 gr (0.45 lbs)
Dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 102 x 59 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 model SLB-10A DB-100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2, 10 or Custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $200 $211