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Olympus TG-3 vs Ricoh CX3

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
 
Ricoh CX3 front
Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
35
Overall
34

Olympus TG-3 vs Ricoh CX3 Key Specs

Olympus TG-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 247g - 112 x 66 x 31mm
  • Introduced March 2014
  • Refreshed by Olympus TG-4
Ricoh CX3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
  • 206g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Announced June 2010
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Olympus TG-3 vs Ricoh CX3 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Olympus TG-3 and Ricoh CX3, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Ricoh. There exists a sizeable gap among the resolutions of the TG-3 (16MP) and CX3 (10MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The TG-3 was unveiled 3 years after the CX3 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the TG-3 scores versus the CX3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Ricoh CX3

 TG-3 CX3 
AnnouncedMarch 2014June 2010Newer by 47 months

Reasons to pick Ricoh CX3 over the Olympus TG-3

 CX3 TG-3 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen resolution920k460kCrisper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Olympus TG-3 and Ricoh CX3

 TG-3 CX3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-3 vs Ricoh CX3 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-3 has got physical dimensions of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) and the Ricoh CX3 has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

See the Olympus TG-3 and Ricoh CX3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the TG-3 versus the CX3.

Olympus TG-3 vs Ricoh CX3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TG-3 and CX3 is 90 and 92 respectively.

Olympus TG-3 vs Ricoh CX3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Ricoh CX3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to see the difference in sensor dimensions merely by looking through a spec sheet. The image here may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-3 and CX3.

Clearly, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Olympus TG-3 to result in more detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The younger TG-3 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-3 vs Ricoh CX3 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Ricoh CX3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-3 vs Ricoh CX3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Portrait photography factors
Ricoh CX3 Portrait photography factors
37
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
comes with face detection focusing
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
27
manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Street photography advice
Ricoh CX3 Street photography advice
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
more heavy than average in class (247g)
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus TG-3
Sports photography with Ricoh CX3
47
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proof
better than average battery (330 CIPA)
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Travel photography information
Ricoh CX3 Travel photography information
74
better than average battery (330 per charge)
environment proof
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
more heavy than average in class (247g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
66
lighter than competition in class (206g)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
long zoom (300mm)
low MP (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Landscape photography info
Ricoh CX3 Landscape photography info
56
rather wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
environment proof
better than average battery (330 CIPA)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
42
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus TG-3
Vlogging with Ricoh CX3
34
rather wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone socket
more heavy than average in class (247g)
30
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (206g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic socket
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Olympus TG-3 vs Ricoh CX3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-3 and Ricoh CX3
 Olympus Tough TG-3Ricoh CX3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Ricoh
Model Olympus Tough TG-3 Ricoh CX3
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2014-03-31 2010-06-16
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII Smooth Imaging Engine IV
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 28-300mm (10.7x)
Maximal aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.5-5.6
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT-LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 8 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 4.00 m
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED 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 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 247 gr (0.54 lbs) 206 gr (0.45 lbs)
Dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 330 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-92B DB-100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2, 10 or Custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail cost $350 $329