Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh CX2
95 Imaging
39 Features
34 Overall
37


93 Imaging
32 Features
35 Overall
33
Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh CX2 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Released January 2012
(Full Review)
- 9MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 28-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
- 185g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
- Announced August 2009

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh CX2 Overview
In this write-up, we are analyzing the Panasonic SZ1 and Ricoh CX2, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Panasonic and Ricoh. There exists a large gap between the sensor resolutions of the SZ1 (16MP) and CX2 (9MP) but they possess the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

The SZ1 was launched 2 years after the CX2 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a simple summation of how the SZ1 grades vs the CX2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh CX2 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 & Ricoh CX2. The complete galleries are available at Panasonic SZ1 Gallery & Ricoh CX2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Ricoh CX2
SZ1 | CX2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2012 | ![]() | August 2009 | Newer by 30 months |
Reasons to pick Ricoh CX2 over the Panasonic SZ1
CX2 | SZ1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Ricoh CX2
SZ1 | CX2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | No Touch friendly display |
Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh CX2 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to travel with your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ1 has physical dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Ricoh CX2 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).
Check the Panasonic SZ1 and Ricoh CX2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the SZ1 versus the CX2.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ1 and CX2 is 95 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh CX2 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is difficult to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions only by looking at a spec sheet. The picture underneath should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ1 and CX2.
As you can see, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can expect to see the Panasonic SZ1 to give you extra detail utilizing its extra 7MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos far more aggressively. The younger SZ1 should have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh CX2 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh CX2 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 | Ricoh CX2 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Panasonic | Ricoh |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 | Ricoh CX2 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2012-01-09 | 2009-08-20 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
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 | 16 megapixels | 9 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 3456 x 2592 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 1600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 23 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-250mm (10.0x) | 28-300mm (10.7x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.1-5.9 | f/3.5-5.6 |
Macro focusing range | 4cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 230k dots | 920k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8 seconds | 8 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames per sec | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.60 m | 3.00 m (ISO 400) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
Video format | MPEG-4 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 131 grams (0.29 lbs) | 185 grams (0.41 lbs) |
Dimensions | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") | 102 x 58 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 life | 250 photos | - |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | - | DB-70 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2, 10 or Custom) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC card, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail price | $179 | $341 |