Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Ricoh CX5

Here is a extended assessment of the Olympus XZ-2 iHS versus Ricoh CX5, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Ricoh. The sensor resolution of the XZ-2 iHS (12MP) and the CX5 (10MP) is fairly similar but the XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") and CX5 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The XZ-2 iHS was unveiled 18 months later than the CX5 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a short introduction of how the XZ-2 iHS grades versus the CX5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus XZ-2 iHS & Ricoh CX5. The full galleries are available at Olympus XZ-2 iHS Gallery & Ricoh CX5 Gallery.

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus XZ-2 iHS features outside measurements of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") with a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs) while the Ricoh CX5 has proportions of 102mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check out the Olympus XZ-2 iHS versus Ricoh CX5 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select during that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the XZ-2 iHS compared to the CX5.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the XZ-2 iHS and CX5 is 85 and 92 respectively.

Sometimes, its hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizing only by reviewing specs. The visual underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the XZ-2 iHS and CX5.

All in all, both of the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The XZ-2 iHS using its larger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF simpler and the Olympus XZ-2 iHS will offer you more detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics much more aggressively. The more recent XZ-2 iHS will have an advantage in sensor innovation.