Panasonic FS12 vs Ricoh CX5
95 Imaging
34 Features
14 Overall
26


92 Imaging
34 Features
35 Overall
34
Panasonic FS12 vs Ricoh CX5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
- Announced April 2009
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
- 205g - 102 x 59 x 29mm
- Released July 2011

Panasonic FS12 vs Ricoh CX5 Overview
Following is a detailed review of the Panasonic FS12 vs Ricoh CX5, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Panasonic and Ricoh. The image resolution of the FS12 (12MP) and the CX5 (10MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor size (1/2.3").

The FS12 was announced 3 years prior to the CX5 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Ricoh CX5 being a Compact camera.
Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a simple view of how the FS12 matches up versus the CX5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Panasonic FS12 vs Ricoh CX5 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 and Ricoh CX5. The whole galleries are viewable at Panasonic FS12 Gallery and Ricoh CX5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Ricoh CX5
FS12 | CX5 |
---|
Reasons to pick Ricoh CX5 over the Panasonic FS12
CX5 | FS12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | July 2011 | ![]() | April 2009 | More modern by 27 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Ricoh CX5
FS12 | CX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch screen |
Panasonic FS12 vs Ricoh CX5 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FS12 features outer measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Ricoh CX5 has proportions of 102mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs).
Take a look at the Panasonic FS12 vs Ricoh CX5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the FS12 compared to the CX5.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FS12 and CX5 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Ricoh CX5 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizes just by going through technical specs. The image underneath will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the FS12 and CX5.
As you have seen, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Panasonic FS12 to provide extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged FS12 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS12 vs Ricoh CX5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Ricoh CX5 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 | Ricoh CX5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Panasonic | Ricoh |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 | Ricoh CX5 |
Category | Ultracompact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2009-04-17 | 2011-07-19 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Smooth Imaging Engine IV |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 10MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Max enhanced ISO | 6400 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
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 | ||
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 31-124mm (4.0x) | 28-300mm (10.7x) |
Max aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | f/3.5-5.6 |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.7" | 3" |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 secs | 8 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 2.0fps | 5.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.30 m | 4.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 129g (0.28 lb) | 205g (0.45 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") | 102 x 59 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery ID | - | DB-100 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2, 10 or Custom) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD/SDHC card, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail pricing | $228 | $399 |