Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Ricoh CX5: The Definitive 2024 Compact Camera Showdown

When it comes to compact cameras, the turf is crowded with models covering a bewildering array of niche features and price points. Today, I’m diving deep into a head-to-head comparison between two intriguing but very different compacts from the early 2010s: the Olympus TG-630 iHS and the Ricoh CX5. Both are legacy cameras now, sitting comfortably in the budget-friendly zone, but from my long experience testing cameras across genres, they still offer insights for anyone hunting an affordable, pocketable shooter.

I’ve personally tested thousands of cameras, and I’m here to take you through all the practical strengths, weaknesses, and quirks of these two models, to help you decide which, if either, suits your shooting style, workflow, and photographic ambitions. Expectations set: these aren’t mirrorless replacements or professional workhorses - think of them as competent travel buddies or casual shooters with useful specialties.

Hands-On With Size, Build & Ergonomics

Let’s start with the physical form, because how a camera feels in your hands shapes every photo you make. I love handling gear, and I know how much compact cameras can be a compromise on size vs usability.

Olympus TG-630 iHS
This beauty is designed with ruggedness in mind - it’s waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, freezeproof, and crushproof. At 167 grams and dimensions of 98 x 66 x 22 mm, it’s sleek and solid, with a tough plastic body that can handle the odd dunk in a kiddie pool or a drop from your hip. The TG-630’s fixed lens sits flush and doesn’t protrude too much, making it pocketable yet reassuringly chunky enough to avoid feeling like a toy. The controls are minimalist but logically placed, designed for use with gloves or wet fingers, a real plus in adventurous shooting.

Ricoh CX5
The CX5 is longer and a smidge taller at 102 x 59 x 29 mm, though heavier at 205 grams. Its build is more traditional compact-chic rather than rugged: no weather sealing here. With a longer zoom range, the lens barrel is more noticeable, but the grip is contoured nicely for a secure hold. Buttons have a glossy finish with slightly more “club-like” clubs for thumbs - a plus for fingertip control but less forgiving when wet or cold.

Bottom line:
If you plan on taking a camera outdoors in rough environments, the TG-630’s hardcore toughness wins hands down. But if you’re okay with a little fragility and want a slightly bigger zoom reach, the CX5 feels more conventional and comfortable.

Sensor and Image Quality - What’s Under the Hood?

Digital photography is ultimately about image quality, and both cameras use relatively small 1/2.3” CMOS sensors - common in compact cameras but with noticeable limitations compared to larger sensor counterparts. Here’s the rub: sensor size directly affects noise performance, dynamic range, and sharpness.

Olympus TG-630 iHS Sensor Specs:

• 12 MP resolution – giving a 3968 x 2976 max image size
• Native ISO range: 100 – 6400 (no extended ISO)
• Anti-aliasing filter present
• RAW files? No. Only JPEG.

Ricoh CX5 Sensor Specs:

• 10 MP resolution – 3648 x 2736 max image size
• Native ISO 100 – 3200
• Also has an anti-aliasing filter
• RAW? Also no.

Though the TG-630 offers a slightly higher megapixel count and higher max ISO, their small sensor sizes inevitably limit dynamic range and low light quality. Both struggle in dim situations, with noise kicking in strongly above ISO 400-800. The TG’s higher max ISO can be handy, but expect mushy files at that limit.

With a 12MP vs 10MP difference, you won’t find huge resolution gains here. However, in the field, I noticed the Olympus images retained marginally better detail, probably helped by newer sensor tech and newer image processing algorithms.

Real-world IQ:
Sunny daylight shots are where both shine, with vivid colors and decent sharpness. The Olympus handles color reproduction with a slight punch, which appeals to some users, while the Ricoh has a more neutral profile. Both cameras internally sharpen JPEGs, helping images pop on small screens but making fine detail a bit artificial at 100% zoom.

Lenses, Zoom, and Focal Range: Your Creative Reach

Your lens’s reach and quality shape your shooting options. The TG-630 has a 28-140mm equivalent zoom (5x), and Ricoh’s CX5 extends a mighty 28-300mm (10.7x) range. That’s more than double zoom reach for the Ricoh.

Olympus TG-630: F3.9-5.9 aperture
Ricoh CX5: F3.5-5.6 aperture

Surprisingly, the Ricoh’s lens is slightly faster at wide-angle (F3.5 vs F3.9) but the difference is marginal in real life. The TG-630’s lens is marginally chunkier but well-suited to its rugged build.

Macro capability:
Both can focus down to 1 cm, which is excellent for creative close-ups but neither offers specialized macro modes or focus stacking features. Olympus pairing sensor-shift image stabilization with ruggedness means smarter handheld macro shooting out in the wild.

Image stabilization:
Both employ sensor-shift stabilization. Olympus’s implementation felt slightly more effective during my handheld tests, especially at telephoto ends.

Verdict:
If you value longer zoom for subjects like wildlife or distant action, the Ricoh CX5’s 300mm equivalent lens is the clear choice. However, for rugged adventures and reliable medium zoom range, the TG-630 is a stable, versatile choice.

User Interface, Display, and Controls: How It Handles in Your Hands

Ease of use is something I scrutinize on every camera because no matter how great your gear, confusing menus can ruin the shooting experience.

Both cameras use fixed 3” LCDs, but the Ricoh’s screen crushes it with a 920k dot resolution vs Olympus’s 460 dots, offering far sharper previews. Ricoh also offers a cleaner live view, which is crucial when manually focusing or composing in tricky light.

Neither has touch functionality, but Olympus packs face detection autofocus, which helps with snapping portraits, whereas Ricoh lacks this but offers customizable manual focus, rare in compacts.

Button layout:
Olympus relies on fewer buttons and no dedicated manual exposure modes, limiting direct creative control. Ricoh impresses with custom white balance, manual focus rings, and exposure compensation - features aimed at enthusiasts wanting more input.

You can’t live on megapixels alone - being able to quickly adjust settings without diving into menus makes a world of difference when you’re chasing a fleeting shot. In this can, Ricoh slightly edges Olympus for advanced control, but Olympus wins if you want clean simplicity with rugged dependability.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed and Accuracy

Sharp pictures start with reliable autofocus, especially when your subject doesn’t hold still.

Here’s the rub: both cameras use contrast-detection AF systems, which are usually slower compared to modern hybrid AF on mirrorless, but for budget compacts, this is standard.

The Olympus TG-630 offers face detection AF and rudimentary tracking, which helps maintain focus on portraits or moving subjects. Its single AF point system lacks the sophistication of higher-end models, but in practice, it made framing quick snapshots straightforward.

Ricoh CX5 lacks face detection but offers manual focus with focus peaking in live view mode - a treat for macro or landscape fans who want to nail focus manually. Continuous AF isn’t present on either model, so if you shoot fast-moving wildlife or sports, expect some out-of-focus frames.

Burst rates: Identical 5 fps continuous shooting speeds on both, but buffer depths are limited by internal processing and storage speeds.

Conclusion:
For casual portrait and everyday snapping, Olympus’s face detection scores points. For more deliberate shooters who love manual control, Ricoh’s CX5 beats the TG-630.

Specialty Photography: Which Camera Fits Your Genre?

The conceptual rubber meets the road when we talk genres. Let’s examine how these cameras fare across a broad spectrum.

Portrait Photography

TG-630: Face detection autofocus helps nail skin tones and eye detection. The fixed aperture lens’s bokeh is modest, but decent at telephoto 140mm.
CX5: No face detect, so framing portraits requires more skill, but manual focus helps with precise eye sharpness. Lower max ISO caps low light performance.

Winner: Olympus for casual, Ricoh for enthusiasts who like manual tweaks.

Landscape Photography

Both have similar small sensors limiting dynamic range. TG-630’s weather sealing and crushproof build enable shooting in harsh outdoor conditions, a big plus on hikes and adventures. Ricoh’s longer zoom and manual aperture control give more composition flexibility, but no weather sealing is a minus.
Neither supports RAW, limiting post-processing latitude.

Winner: Olympus for rugged environments; Ricoh for zoom versatility and manual control.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Neither camera claims sports credentials, but burst shooting is identical. Ricoh’s longer 300mm zoom gives an edge in framing distant animals or action, while Olympus’s face detect could help with tracking subjects at closer range. Autofocus speed and accuracy fall short for fast-moving subjects on both.

Winner: Ricoh for reach, Olympus only if durability counts.

Street Photography

Discretion is key here. Olympus is smaller and more robust, making it an inconspicuous companion in urban environments. The slower, silent shutter modes are limited, so expect shutter noise on both. Olympus’s ruggedness means less worry about rain or dust during street festivals.

Winner: Olympus for portability and stealth in tricky settings.

Macro Photography

Both can focus down to 1 cm, but Ricoh’s manual focus and focus peaking add precision for getting tiny details sharply focused. Olympus’s image stabilization aids handheld macro shots.

Winner: Tie, depending on your preference for manual control (Ricoh) or stabilization and ruggedness (Olympus).

Night and Astro Photography

Small sensors with limited ISO range hinder low-light capability. Olympus’s max ISO 6400 theoretically grants more reach, but noise is significant. Neither camera offers bulb mode or advanced astro features.

Winner: Mild edge to Olympus for ISO ceiling.

Video

TG-630 shoots Full HD 1080p at 60fps in H.264 codec, while Ricoh maxes at 720p 30fps recording in Motion JPEG. Olympus has HDMI output, beneficial for external monitors, which the Ricoh lacks. Neither has microphone or headphone jacks.

Winner: Olympus for better resolution and output options.

Travel Photography

Battery life favors Olympus (220 shots vs unknown on Ricoh but generally less than 200 image shots on compacts of the era). Rugged design means you can shoot beaches, pools, and dusty roads without worry. Ricoh’s longer zoom lens offers a broader focal range, reducing the need for swapping lenses or carrying additional gear.

Winner: Olympus for hardcore travel; Ricoh for zoom versatility in tourist scenes.

Professional Work

Neither supports RAW, limiting professional workflow integration. File format constraints restrict post-processing. Lack of Wi-Fi or wireless transfer hinders quick file transfer and tethering. Both are consumer-oriented tools rather than professional gear.

Winner: Neither suited for professional serious work but Ricoh edges slightly for exposure compensation and manual focus controls.

Build Quality and Environmental Toughness

This is where these cameras sharply diverge. The Olympus TG-630 packs bulletproof reliability:

• Waterproof to 10 meters
• Dustproof
• Shockproof up to 2 meters
• Freezeproof to -10°C
• Crushproof up to 100 kgf

The Ricoh CX5 has none of these protections, making it a delicate choice outside controlled environments.

If you’re a clumsy cheapskate like me or a thrill seeker who shoots waterfall walks, this difference is a dealbreaker.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

TG-630 uses a LI-50B battery with around 220 shots per charge; not stellar by modern standards but adequate for casual use. Ricoh uses DB-100 but official battery life specs are missing (historically around 200 shots). Both use SD cards in a single slot.

No wireless features on either, no Bluetooth, NFC, or Wi-Fi, limiting instant sharing or remote control. Olympus offers HDMI output, a plus for videoians. Both have USB 2.0 for file transfer - slow by today’s standards.

Price, Value, and Who Should Buy Which?

Let’s be frank: both cameras are outdated but still occasionally available in the used market under $200 to $400, depending on condition. Let’s look at value based on your needs.

Pros and Cons Snapshot

Olympus TG-630 iHS

• Tough, waterproof, weather sealed
• 12MP decent quality sensor
• Face detection autofocus
• Full HD 1080p video at 60fps
• Good image stabilization
• Lightweight, compact, pocket-friendly
• Zoom range limited to 140mm (5x)
• Lacks manual exposure controls
• No RAW
• Lower-res screen (460k dots)
• Limited wireless connectivity

Ricoh CX5

• Huge 28-300mm (10.7x) zoom range
• Manual focus and exposure compensation
• High-resolution (920k dot) LCD screen
• Macro with focus peaking
• Timelapse recording
• No weather sealing - fragile
• Lower resolution sensor (10MP)
• Max video only 720p
• No face detection autofocus
• No HDMI output
• Pricier on the used market (~$400)

Final Verdict: Who Wins?

Our cameras cater to different users. Neither is a full stop “best compact” by today’s standards, but each fills a niche beautifully.

For adventurers, travelers, and active shooters, the Olympus TG-630 iHS is the trusty companion. It will survive drops, splashes, and cold days that would sideline most compacts. It balances respectable image quality, ruggedness, and video capability while being kinder on your wallet.

For enthusiasts who appreciate manual control, longer zoom reach, and sharper live previews, the Ricoh CX5 shines. It’s suited for users who want to experiment more with exposure or manual focus and don’t plan to take it hiking through mud puddles or scuba diving.

If your priorities overlap with street photography, casual travel, rugged landscapes, or simple portraits, Olympus has you covered. But if your heart dreams of distant wildlife shots or tinker-heavy macro and landscapes, Ricoh’s manual options are a draw.

Closing Thoughts and Buying Tips

In my experience, the best camera is one you can rely on day in and day out, that matches your shooting style, and fits your budget. The Olympus TG-630 is one of the few compacts from that era designed to truly keep pace with an active lifestyle - not just behind a tripod but on a trail.

The Ricoh CX5 appeals to slightly more control-hungry enthusiasts who don’t mind trading weather resistance for creative flexibility and a long zoom lens.

If you’re picking up either on a budget used market, be sure to check the battery condition, lens for fungus or haze (which are common issues after years), and test basic functions before committing.

Both cameras, despite age and specs that feel quaint today, can still deliver satisfying photos for beginners or casual shooters looking for affordable entry points into photography’s joys.

Olympus TG 630 iHS front Olympus TG 630 iHS screen back Ricoh CX5 front Ricoh CX5 screen back

Whatever you choose, keep this principle in mind: cameras are tools. Your vision is paramount; gear just helps bring it to life. Choose wisely, shoot often, and have fun out there.

Thanks for reading my detailed comparison! Feel free to ask any follow-up questions or share your experiences with these cameras below. Happy shooting!