Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Ricoh CX5
89 Imaging
39 Features
36 Overall
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92 Imaging
34 Features
35 Overall
34
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Ricoh CX5 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Ricoh CX5 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SZ-16 iHS & Ricoh CX5. The full galleries are available at Olympus SZ-16 iHS Gallery & Ricoh CX5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Ricoh CX5
SZ-16 iHS | CX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2013 | ![]() | July 2011 | More 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 resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer screen (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Ricoh CX5
SZ-16 iHS | CX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Ricoh CX5 Specifications
Olympus SZ-16 iHS | Ricoh 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 |