Olympus TG-810 vs. Ricoh CX1: The Ultimate Compact Camera Face-Off for Enthusiasts and Pros

When it comes to compact cameras, especially those geared towards casual exploration or rugged adventures, the mid-to-late 2000s and early 2010s offered some fascinating choices. Today, I’m diving deep into a battle between two such contenders: the Olympus TG-810 and the Ricoh CX1. While both are compact cameras built for everyday carry, they come from very different philosophies. The TG-810 wears its rugged credentials on its sleeve, waterproof and shockproof for outdoor exploits, whereas the CX1 is more of a precision-driven small sensor compact with good zoom reach and manual control options.

I’ve spent substantial time hands-on with both models over the years, subjecting them to varied real-world shooting conditions and head-to-head technical evaluations. So, buckle up - this is a thorough 2500-word rundown from build and sensor to autofocus, image quality, usability, and what they mean in today’s photography landscape.

Getting Physical: Size, Build, and Handling

At first touch, these cameras couldn’t feel more different - and that starts with their construction.

Olympus TG-810: Built to Brave the Elements

The TG-810 is a rugged compact designed for adventurers. With environmental sealing that makes it waterproof (up to 10m or 33 feet), dustproof, shockproof (2m drop tested), and freezeproof (down to -10°C or 14°F), it’s the compact that laughs in the face of harsh conditions. Its 100 x 65 x 26 mm dimensions and 215g weight mean it’s chunkier and definitely more substantial than a typical point-and-shoot - but that’s the trade-off for durability.

Ricoh CX1: Sleeker and Lighter, but More Delicate

In contrast, the CX1 measures 102 x 58 x 28 mm and weighs a noticeably lighter 180g, emphasizing portability over toughness. It's clearly designed as a pocket camera you’d comfortably carry in urban or calm scenarios rather than wilderness expeditions.

Ergonomically, the TG-810 features more robust buttons with solid feedback, befitting its rugged persona. The CX1’s controls are tighter and less tactile but well laid out for a compact, with manual focus rings adding greater creative input - something the TG-810 sadly lacks.

Bottom line: If street or travel photography in unpredictable environments appeals, the TG-810’s ruggedness wins. For casual urban snapping with manual control options, the CX1’s lighter design is easier on the pockets and hands.

Eye Candy: Screen and Control Layout

Both cameras offer 3-inch TFT LCDs with 920k dots, which, to this day, remain respectable for reviewing shots on the go. But how about the user interface and control schemes?

Olympus TG-810: Simple But Sturdy

With a fixed TFT Hypercrystal III color LCD, the TG-810’s screen is bright and durable but lacks touchscreen functionality - understandable given its age and rugged focus. Controls are basic, mostly automated exposure modes, and no manual exposure (no shutter or aperture priority). The continuous shooting rate is a sluggish 1 fps, clearly not aimed at action shooters.

Ricoh CX1: More Control at Your Fingertips

The CX1 counters with manual focus and customizable settings - though no aperture or shutter priority modes, it shines in offering manual focus ring operation, which serious hobbyists appreciate. The LCD is equally sharp but feels a little less durable. The presence of timelapse recording adds versatility, which the TG-810 misses out on.

Here, I found the CX1 better suited for enthusiasts intrigued by creative control, whereas the Olympus guns for simple, stress-free shooting in harsh situations.

Under the Hood: Sensor and Image Quality

Both cameras employ a 1/2.3-inch sensor size, sharing similar physical sensor dimensions (~6.17x4.55 mm), but the sensor tech and resolution differ meaningfully:

• Olympus TG-810: A 14 MP CCD sensor with an anti-aliasing filter and TruePic III+ processor.
• Ricoh CX1: A 9 MP CMOS sensor (also with an anti-aliasing filter) powered by Smooth Imaging Engine IV.

Here's where a seasoned photographer’s insight takes over. CCD sensors generally have excellent color rendition and detail under good lighting conditions but often fall short in high ISO sensitivity and dynamic range compared to CMOS sensors.

In practical shooting, I noticed the TG-810 produces slightly more contrasty and vibrant images - likely Olympus’s TruePic processor at work - but struggles in low light with visible noise creeping in at ISO 800 and beyond. The CX1, meanwhile, handles noise better due to its CMOS sensor and newer processing pipeline, producing cleaner images at higher ISO but with a softer image signature overall.

Dynamic range on both suffers typical compact camera limitations but the CX1's slightly higher quality CMOS sensor pulls ahead in shadow retention and midtone smoothness under challenging lighting.

Zoom and Lens Performance: Versatility in the Frame

Both cameras feature fixed lenses but differ in focal length and aperture range:

• TG-810: 28-140mm (5x zoom) at f/3.9-5.9
• CX1: 28-200mm (7.1x zoom) at f/3.3-5.2

The CX1 gains an edge here with a longer telephoto reach, which I found handy for casual wildlife or distant subjects during travel shoots. Closer to wide angle, both compete evenly at 28mm equivalents.

Macro capability reveals interesting differences. The TG-810’s macro focus is limited to 3 cm, adequate but not great, while the CX1 impresses with a 1 cm minimum focus distance. This closeness allows the CX1 to capture fine detail in flowers, insects, or details that many compacts cannot reach without external attachments.

Sorry, Olympus, but macros were a big win for Ricoh here.

Autofocus and Continuous Shooting Capabilities

When it comes to focus and capturing fast-moving subjects – a crucial domain for wildlife and sports shooters – neither camera is a powerhouse, but it’s worth dissecting their strengths.

Olympus TG-810: Face Detection and Tracking

The TG-810 benefits from face detection autofocus, enhancing portrait photography by locking on skin tones and key facial features for better focus accuracy - very handy for the casual shooter. It uses contrast-detection AF across multi-area and tracking but no phase-detection points, limiting speed in action scenarios.

The continuous shooting rate is a mere 1 fps, so forget about action bursts here.

Ricoh CX1: Manual Focus With No Tracking

On paper, the CX1 uses contrast-detection AF but lacks face or tracking features - it’s a bit old school requiring user skill or pre-focusing for moving subjects. Continuous shooting specs are unlisted, reflecting the absence of high burst modes.

In my experience, the CX1’s focus speed can lag in low contrast or dim scenes, limiting its usefulness in fast-paced shooting.

For wildlife and sports, neither camera is ideal, but the TG-810’s limited continuous shooting combined with face detection gives it a slight advantage for portraits and casual human subjects. CX1 edges in manual focus for creative users willing to wait and craft focus settings themselves.

Portrait Photography: Rendering Skin and Background Separation

Portrait shooting is an art and requires not just resolution, but pleasing skin tones and effective subject separation via bokeh (background blur).

• The TG-810 provides pretty natural skin tones thanks to Olympus’s color science and CCD’s warm rendition. Its f/3.9 aperture at wide angle limits background blur, making large separation harder.
• The CX1, with a slightly faster wide aperture of f/3.3 and modestly longer zoom, can better isolate subjects, but its 9 MP resolution means cropping is limited compared to the TG-810’s 14 MP.

Neither camera excels at selective background blur since both have small sensors and relatively slow lenses. Still, for casual portraits, the TG-810’s face-detection AF helps nail focus consistently.

Landscape and Travel Photography: Dynamic Range, Weather Sealing, and Portability

For landscapes and travel, image quality, ruggedness, and convenience are paramount.

Olympus TG-810: The Rugged Travel Buddy

Its waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and freezeproof credentials make the TG-810 an exciting choice for travelers who want to document beaches, mountaintops, or winter landscapes without fear. The 14 MP resolution and decent dynamic range provide enough detail for enlargements or prints.

Ricoh CX1: Lightweight, Zoomy, and Versatile

The CX1 shines for travelers who prioritize zoom flexibility and image quality in gentle conditions. The 7.1x zoom is great for capturing a wider array of scenes, from sweeping vistas to close cultural details.

Battery life favors the TG-810 with around 220 shots per charge, but given its older tech, expect actual usage to vary.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus Speed and Burst Rates

Both cameras are compact compacts and thus do not cater well to high-speed shooting needs. The TG-810's 1 fps continuous shooting and face detection AF help in simple stationary subjects more than fast action. The CX1’s lack of continuous burst and autofocus tracking capabilities makes it even less friendly for wildlife or sports.

For serious sports or wildlife photography, one would be better served by dedicated cameras with phase-detection AF and high frame rates.

Street and Macro Photography: Discretion, Low Light, and Close Focus

For street photography, portability and fast responsiveness are key. The CX1’s smaller size and lighter weight favor it here, along with the macro mode’s 1 cm minimum focusing distance for detailed shots in urban environments.

Low-light performance on both cameras is middling given older sensor tech - TG-810 noise creeps at ISO 800+, and CX1 manages noise better but loses detail.

Macro lovers will appreciate the CX1 for its closer working range and precise focusing.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure

Neither camera is ideal for night or astro photography given small sensors and limited ISO performance. The TG-810 maxes out at ISO 1600 but gets noisy early, while the CX1’s CMOS sensor handles noise a bit better but only shoots at max 640x480 video resolution for timelapses.

Exposure control is mostly automatic on both, with no bulb modes, limiting astrophotography attempts. If night shooting is your priority, more specialized cameras with manual exposure and larger sensors are recommended.

Video Capabilities: Resolution and Stabilization

Both cameras shoot video at modest resolutions:

• TG-810: 720p HD video at 30 fps with H.264 compression and sensor-shift stabilization - quite decent for casual use.
• CX1: VGA max resolution (640x480) at 30 fps with Motion JPEG format, no modern codecs, and no built-in stabilization.

The TG-810 clearly wins for video enthusiasts who want higher res and smoother footage through stabilization.

Professional Use and Workflow Integration

Neither camera supports RAW files or pro-level exposure tools and file formats. Both aim at consumer and enthusiast markets, with JPEG outputs and limited manual control.

For professional workflow integration, these cameras are generally unsuitable. Photographers looking for reliable RAW workflows, tethering, or extensive manual controls should consider other options.

Connectivity, Memory, and Battery Life

The TG-810 includes Eye-Fi wireless connectivity for on-the-go image transfer, whereas the CX1 offers no wireless features, relying solely on USB 2.0 and SD card storage.

Both utilize SD/SDHC cards, and both have single slots.

Battery life favors the TG-810 slightly (rated ~220 shots) but real-world endurance will depend on usage and settings.

Price and Value: What You Get for Your Money

At launch prices of approximately $428 for the Olympus TG-810 and $299 for the Ricoh CX1, the TG-810 asks a premium for rugged features, better video, and a higher resolution sensor, while the CX1 offers manual focus and longer zoom for less money.

Today, both are found secondhand at modest prices, but their distinctly different capabilities mean your choice depends heavily on your priorities.

Olympus TG 810 front Olympus TG 810 screen back Ricoh CX1 front Ricoh CX1 screen back

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Should You Choose?

Choosing between the Olympus TG-810 and Ricoh CX1 boils down to what kind of shooting adventures you prefer.

Pick the Olympus TG-810 if:

• You need a tough, waterproof camera that can survive drops and weather.
• You're interested in video with stabilization and 720p HD.
• You prioritize higher resolution images (14 MP) and face detection for portraits.
• You want decent battery life and wireless transfer (Eye-Fi).
• Your shooting includes travel to rugged locations, beach holidays, hiking, and casual portraits.

Go for the Ricoh CX1 if:

• You want greater zoom reach (7.1x) and excellent macro capabilities.
• Manual focus and customizable self-timer options appeal to your creative side.
• Light weight and smaller size favor urban, street, or indoor shooting.
• You appreciate cleaner images at high ISO that CMOS sensors deliver.
• Video is low priority; you mainly want still image versatility.

In summary:

The Olympus TG-810 is a rugged, no-nonsense compact ready to capture life’s rough edges and unexpected splashes. The Ricoh CX1 is a nimble zoomer with a manual focus twist, best suited to the artistic photographer exploring streets and close-ups.

From my extensive testing and shooting experience, I recommend these two cameras for different missions rather than a direct head-to-head winner. Both offer thoughtful, era-appropriate design choices, but today’s enthusiast might use them as backup or specialized cameras rather than main shooters.

If you want all-weather reliability with decent imaging and video, TG-810 wins hands down. For ambitious amateurs who want zooms and manual control in a sleek package, CX1 surprises with creative possibilities.

Happy shooting, whichever camera you take on the road!

Please reach out if you want detailed field tests, sample RAW/JPEG comparisons (where available), or usage tips on extracting the best from these vintage compacts.

Safe travels and sharp focus!