Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh CX4
95 Imaging
39 Features
34 Overall
37


92 Imaging
33 Features
34 Overall
33
Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh CX4 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
- Launched January 2012
(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 August 2010

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh CX4 Overview
Following is a in-depth overview of the Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh CX4, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Panasonic and Ricoh. There exists a big gap between the resolutions of the SZ1 (16MP) and CX4 (10MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SZ1 was manufactured 17 months after the CX4 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before delving into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the SZ1 scores versus the CX4 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh CX4 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 and Ricoh CX4. The entire galleries are provided at Panasonic SZ1 Gallery and Ricoh CX4 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Ricoh CX4
SZ1 | CX4 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2012 | ![]() | August 2010 | More modern by 17 months |
Reasons to pick Ricoh CX4 over the Panasonic SZ1
CX4 | SZ1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Ricoh CX4
SZ1 | CX4 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch friendly screen |
Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh CX4 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to carry around your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ1 has exterior measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Ricoh CX4 has proportions of 102mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs).
Compare the Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh CX4 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the SZ1 against the CX4.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ1 and CX4 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh CX4 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizes purely by checking a spec sheet. The pic below will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ1 and CX4.
As you can see, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Panasonic SZ1 to give extra detail due to its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures more aggressively. The newer SZ1 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh CX4 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh CX4 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 | Ricoh CX4 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Panasonic | Ricoh |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 | Ricoh CX4 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2012-01-09 | 2010-08-19 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Smooth Imaging Engine IV |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 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 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 23 | - |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-250mm (10.0x) | 28-300mm (10.7x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.1-5.9 | f/3.5-5.6 |
Macro focus range | 4cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 230k dots | 920k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 8 secs | 8 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames per second | 5.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 5.60 m | 4.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE 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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4 | Motion JPEG |
Mic 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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 131g (0.29 lbs) | 205g (0.45 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") | 102 x 59 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 | 250 images | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | - | DB-100 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2, 10 or Custom) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | $179 | $211 |