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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Ricoh CX5

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
 
Ricoh CX5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
35
Overall
34

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Ricoh CX5 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-16 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
  • Announced January 2013
Ricoh CX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
  • 205g - 102 x 59 x 29mm
  • Launched July 2011
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Ricoh CX5 Overview

Below is a in depth analysis of the Olympus SZ-16 iHS versus Ricoh CX5, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Ricoh. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and CX5 (10MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-16 iHS was unveiled 18 months later than the CX5 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a short overview of how the SZ-16 iHS matches up against the CX5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Ricoh CX5

 SZ-16 iHS CX5 
LaunchedJanuary 2013July 2011More recent by 18 months

Reasons to pick Ricoh CX5 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 CX5 SZ-16 iHS 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen resolution920k460kClearer screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Ricoh CX5

 SZ-16 iHS CX5 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Ricoh CX5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS provides external measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Ricoh CX5 has specifications of 102mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SZ-16 iHS versus Ricoh CX5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select at that moment. The following is the front view size comparison of the SZ-16 iHS versus the CX5.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Ricoh CX5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-16 iHS and CX5 is 89 and 92 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Ricoh CX5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Ricoh CX5 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements just by reviewing technical specs. The graphic underneath may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-16 iHS and CX5.

As you have seen, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Olympus SZ-16 iHS to offer extra detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The fresher SZ-16 iHS will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Ricoh CX5 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Ricoh CX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Ricoh CX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Portrait photography information
Ricoh CX5 Portrait photography information
34
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
provides face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
28
you can focus manually
external flash not possible
low MP (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Street photography info
Ricoh CX5 Street photography info
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226g)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (205g)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Sports photography camera
Ricoh CX5 as a Sports photography camera
41
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (220 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
max fps very slow (5.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low MP (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Travel photography info
Ricoh CX5 Travel photography info
65
lighter than competition (226 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (220 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
66
lighter than competitors (205g)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
very long reach (300mm)
low MP (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Landscape photography advice
Ricoh CX5 Landscape photography advice
41
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
terrible battery pack (220 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse recording
45
you can focus manually
quite wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
low MP (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Vlogging advice
Ricoh CX5 Vlogging advice
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focusing
lighter than competition (226 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic jack
30
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (205 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic port
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Ricoh CX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Ricoh CX5
 Olympus SZ-16 iHSRicoh CX5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Ricoh
Model type Olympus SZ-16 iHS Ricoh CX5
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-01-08 2011-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Smooth Imaging Engine IV
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-300mm (10.7x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-5.6
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 4.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 gr (0.50 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 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 photos -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B DB-100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2, 10 or Custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $230 $399