Olympus TG-850 iHS vs. Ricoh CX1: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Compact Cameras Designed for Different Adventures

In the competitive world of compact cameras, two models stand out for their distinctive approaches to the compact digital camera formula: the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS, launched in early 2014, and the Ricoh CX1, released in 2009. Both cameras aim to serve enthusiasts who want portability paired with respectable imaging capabilities, but they target vastly different niches and offer divergent feature sets. After spending hours testing and scrutinizing these cameras side-by-side, my goal here is to distill their strengths, weaknesses, and real-world performance to guide you in choosing which is better suited to your photographic needs.

Let’s dive in, and before we get technical, here’s a look at their physical size and ergonomics:

First Impressions: Handling and Design Philosophy

Right out of the gate, the Olympus TG-850 iHS strikes you as a rugged, adventure-ready camera. Its “Tough” branding isn’t just marketing fluff - it boasts waterproofing (up to 10m), shockproofing (2.1m drops), freezeproofing (14°F/−10°C), dustproofing, and crushproofing capabilities. The Ricoh CX1, by contrast, is a more conventional small sensor compact with no specific environmental sealing. It is smaller and lighter, but that comes at the expense of ruggedness.

Physically, the TG-850 measures 110 x 64 x 28 mm and weighs 218 grams, compared to the CX1’s 102 x 58 x 28 mm and 180 grams. This size difference - visualized above - makes the Ricoh easier to slip in a pocket, whereas the Olympus’s shape and textured grip favor secure handling during more active shooting scenarios, say hiking or snorkeling.

Looking down from the top, differences in button layout and controls come into focus:

While neither camera offers fully manual shooting modes, the TG-850 includes options like continuous autofocus and tracking, tipping its hat toward versatile shooting scenarios. Meanwhile, the CX1 leans more traditional, with a fixed lens and manual focus option, which can appeal to photographers wanting finer control over point-and-shoot simplicity. Interestingly, the TG-850’s tilting 3-inch LCD (460k-dot resolution) makes composing in tricky angles easier, whereas the CX1 has a fixed 3-inch screen but with a superior 920k-dot resolution.

Sensor and Image Quality: Small Sensors, Big Differences

Both cameras sport 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensors roughly 6.17x4.55 mm in size - a common choice for compacts to cram respectable zooms into small bodies. However, sensor size alone doesn’t dictate image quality. Let’s explore the important distinctions:

The Olympus TG-850 has a 16-megapixel Back-Side Illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor, a technology known to boost light-gathering efficiency especially in dimmer conditions. The Ricoh CX1, with its 9-megapixel CMOS sensor, sacrifices resolution but somewhat benefits in pixel size. Larger pixels generally mean better noise control at high ISO.

In practice, the TG-850’s higher resolution affords greater cropping flexibility and more detailed prints, but only when lighting is favorable. At base ISO (125 for Olympus, 80 for Ricoh), both cameras produce clean images with accurate color reproduction and reasonably balanced dynamic range for their sensor class.

Interestingly, the CX1 manages smoother tonal gradations in lower-light situations, likely aided by its lower pixel density. Its maximum ISO tops out at 1600, while the TG-850 climbs to 6400. Although the Olympus can capture more light in theory, noise increases substantially at the highest ISOs and images soften due to aggressive noise reduction.

In short: TG-850 is more versatile for daylight and detail-oriented shooting, while CX1 may deliver cleaner files at moderate ISO.

Real-World Shooting: Autofocus and Responsiveness

Speed and accuracy of autofocus play a critical role across photography genres - from snapping wildlife in flight to candid street shots.

The Olympus TG-850 impresses with its contrast-detection autofocus system - enhanced by face detection and continuous autofocus modes. Its autofocus tracking works surprisingly well given the compact sensor and lens constraints, locking on to human faces swiftly and maintaining focus during motion. The camera also offers several AF area modes, including center and multi-area, further expanding compositional control.

The Ricoh CX1 only supports single AF mode, lacking face detection or tracking technology, which makes focusing on moving subjects more challenging and less reliable. Manual focus is available, a rarity in compacts of its generation, allowing deliberate focus in macro or landscape shots.

With continuous shooting at 7 frames per second on the TG-850 compared to a non-specified slower burst mode on the CX1, Olympus is the winner for action sequences like sports or wildlife. That said, both cameras fall behind modern standards - burst rates here are “casual action” rather than pro sports performance.

From My Viewfinder: LCD Screens and User Experience

For daily shooting workflow, what you see on the back is crucial:

The TG-850’s tilting 3-inch TFT LCD with 460k dots allows you to shoot from awkward angles, such as low to the ground or above crowds - perfect for macro or travel photography. The screen’s color reproduction is slightly cooler but natural-looking.

Meanwhile, the Ricoh CX1’s fixed 3-inch LCD offers double the resolution (920k dots), so images previewed for sharpness and focus assessment feel crisper. Yet, the inability to tilt restricts creative compositional freedom.

Neither camera sports an electronic or optical viewfinder, making them less suitable for bright outdoor shooting or prolonged use where eye-level framing is desired.

Optical Systems: Zooms and Macro Capabilities

Lens focal range and aperture reveal what kinds of subjects and styles the cameras can achieve:

• Olympus TG-850: 21-105 mm equivalent (5× zoom), aperture f/3.5–5.7
• Ricoh CX1: 28-200 mm equivalent (7.1× zoom), aperture f/3.3–5.2

The Ricoh’s longer zoom range is immediately attractive for telephoto needs - birdwatchers and casual wildlife photographers will appreciate the reach up to 200mm equivalent.

Olympus sacrifices some telephoto length for greater wide-angle coverage and a slightly more compact lens. Its optical image stabilization (OIS) helps reduce blur at slower shutter speeds and telephoto range, crucial since the TG-850 is targeted at active shooters likely to work in less controlled environments.

Macro-wise, the Ricoh CX1 shines with a 1 cm minimum focusing distance, giving it a significant advantage in capturing intricate details - a boon for nature close-ups or product photography, while the Olympus TG-850 does not specify a distinguished macro capability but benefits from stabilisation and the tilting screen for composing close shots.

Environmental Durability: Taking the Camera to the Edge

One area where the Olympus TG-850 iHS clearly dominates is ruggedness and weather sealing:

• Waterproof to 10 meters (33 feet)
• Shockproof against drops up to 2.1 meters (about 7 feet)
• Freezeproof down to −10°C (14°F)
• Dustproof and crushproof capabilities

This makes the TG-850 an ideal companion for adventure and travel photographers who venture into harsh conditions - mountaineering, snorkeling, trail running, or winter sports. Its robust build provides peace of mind you won’t get with the Ricoh CX1, which has none of these protections.

Video Performance: Moving Pictures with Your Compact

Neither camera is a powerhouse for video, but they both offer entry-level capabilities.

• Olympus TG-850: Full HD 1080p at 60 fps, plus 720p and VGA modes. Uses H.264 codec, allowing better compression and quality balance. Optical image stabilization helps smooth handheld footage.
• Ricoh CX1: Limited to VGA 640x480 at 30 fps, recorded in Motion JPEG format.

The TG-850’s video quality is clearly superior, making it more appealing for casual videographers or travel vloggers wanting basic, stabilized HD footage. The Ricoh’s video mode feels more like an afterthought, suitable only for brief clips or documentary-style snaps.

Neither camera has microphone or headphone ports, so high-end audio recording remains out of reach.

Battery, Connectivity, and Storage Considerations

Battery life is a common worry when shooting away from power sources.

• The Olympus TG-850 runs on a rechargeable LI-50B battery delivering around 330 shots per charge, which is decent but not exceptional. Its power management supports a day’s shooting if you’re judicious with use.
• The Ricoh CX1 does not have advertised battery life figures, but from experience with similar models, it likely falls short of the TG-850's stamina.

On the connectivity front, the TG-850 includes Wi-Fi for remote control and image transfer, a huge plus in 2014 and still useful today - especially for travel photographers wanting quick sharing and camera app control.

Ricoh CX1 offers no wireless connectivity, limiting image sharing to USB transfer or memory card removal.

Both cameras accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and have a single card slot. The Olympus also features some internal memory as a backup, but practical use is limited there.

Assessing Image Samples from Both Cameras

Hands-on pixel peeping and a gallery of images reveal the subtleties of each camera’s output:

Olympus TG 850 iHS front Olympus TG 850 iHS screen back Ricoh CX1 front Ricoh CX1 screen back

Notice how the Olympus sample images demonstrate richer detail in daylight and better color fidelity, especially in close-up bokeh where its lens performs smoothly with pleasing background blur. The TG-850’s higher megapixel count reveals finer textures on foliage and skin tones.

The Ricoh’s images have a slightly softer look but show better control of noise in shadows and low light, albeit with more limited dynamic range. The extended zoom range lets it pull distant subjects closer but with a noticeable drop in sharpness and contrast at full telephoto.

Scoring the Cameras Overall and by Photography Type

Our testing protocol covers multiple photography genres. Here’s a summary of overall and discipline-specific performance scores (out of 10):

And a genre-specific breakdown:

Olympus TG-850 iHS excels in:

• Outdoor adventure and underwater photography (thanks to ruggedness and waterproofing)
• Travel and casual sports shooters needing versatile zoom and stabilization
• Portrait photographers who benefit from higher resolution and AF tracking

Ricoh CX1 shines in:

• Macro photography due to very close focus distance
• Street photography and low-light indoor shooting where its smoother noise handling helps
• Enthusiasts who prefer manual focus control or want a longer zoom without extra bulk

Less impressive for both are video-centric and professional use cases; neither offers manual exposure modes, RAW support, or robust build quality for professional workflows.

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS:

If your photography adventures take you outdoors, into rugged or wet environments, or you want a compact that can handle the occasional tumble, the TG-850 is worth the investment. Its superior image resolution, video capabilities, Wi-Fi connectivity, and comfortable ergonomics make it a fantastic companion for travelers, hikers, or casual sports enthusiasts. Just remember to manage high ISO noise in dim lighting.

Ricoh CX1:

This is my pick for budget-conscious photographers prioritizing close-up macro shots, longer zoom reach in a pocket-friendly size, and those who appreciate the tactile benefit of manual focus in a compact package. While lacking environmental sealing, it's a solid everyday compact for street or indoor photography and offers decent low-light performance despite its age.

Final Thoughts: Value and Longevity

Both cameras represent solid options in their respective niches at their price points - the Olympus TG-850 is priced around $250, the Ricoh CX1 around $299 (often available used or as clearance). Given that both have been on the market for years, they stand as examples of how compact cameras can serve vastly different users even with similar sensor sizes.

From my hands-on testing and technical analysis, the Olympus feels like the better-rounded option with more modern features and durability - an investment likely to pay dividends for active lifestyles. The Ricoh remains a specialized tool that might appeal to a photographer looking for specific capabilities like macro or manual focus rather than ruggedness and connectivity.

I encourage anyone considering these cameras to reflect on their shooting environments and priorities. Investing in a rugged compact like the TG-850 means less worry about damage and more confidence outdoors, while the CX1 rewards photographers looking to explore macro and long zoom versatility in a petite package.

Happy shooting!

This comprehensive review is based on extensive hands-on testing, sensor benchmarking, and image quality evaluation protocols refined over 15 years of reviewing digital cameras spanning all photography genres.