Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 vs Ricoh CX5: A Detailed Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing a compact camera today can feel more daunting than ever - especially when models with overlapping zoom ranges, sensor sizes, and price points vie for attention. In this comparison, I’ll dive deeply into two small sensor compacts from the early 2010s: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 and the Ricoh CX5. Both cameras target users looking for versatile superzoom capabilities packed into pocketable bodies but arrive with distinct design philosophies and feature sets.

Drawing from extensive hands-on testing over many years, I’ll guide you through sensor technologies, autofocus systems, handling ergonomics, image quality, and real-world suitability across photography genres. Extensive field trials and technical benchmarks form the backbone of this analysis, so you’ll get a trustworthy, experience-driven perspective - not marketing fluff.

Let’s get into how these two contenders stack up.

Size and Ergonomics: Compactness vs. Handling

Both the Panasonic SZ1 and Ricoh CX5 belong in the small sensor compact category, though the “superzoom” label swells their size slightly beyond typical point-and-shoot frames.

At 99 x 59 x 21 mm and a featherweight 131 grams, the Panasonic SZ1 is impressively compact and pocket-friendly - a very accessible carry for casual outings, travel, or street photography where discretion matters. The slim profile does, however, mean minimalistic grip and button real estate. During testing, I felt my fingers occasionally curling around the edges rather than gripping confidently - a fine trade-off if ultralight portability trumps control.

In comparison, the Ricoh CX5’s dimensions (102 x 59 x 29 mm) and weight (205 grams) indicate a chunkier, heftier build. The added depth translates into a more textured grip and buttons spaced for easier tactile operation. If you’re a user who values steadier handling and confident button placement over diminutive size, the CX5 shines here. It reminded me vividly of a small bridge camera, more substantial in hand but less made for pocket slips.

In sum, if you want bare-minimum bulk to slide into a jeans pocket, Panasonic edges out. For longer shoots or steady framing, Ricoh’s added girth hands you firmer control. Your choice here will hinge on your shooting style and portability priorities.

Control Layout and Interface: A Tale of Two Top Panels

The top plate and control layout is where design philosophy differences become clearer.

The SZ1 leans into simplicity. The modest top view reveals an uncomplicated shutter button, zoom rocker, and power toggle. There's no dedicated exposure dial or mode selector - typical for an ultra-compact aimed at casual users. While this avoids complexity, it limits manual intervention possibilities and slows workflow for those who want quick tweaks. I found this approach somewhat restrictive when transitioning beyond auto modes.

The CX5, on the other hand, incorporates a dedicated mode dial and a thoughtfully placed exposure compensation button. The more advanced complement includes a physical zoom lever and shutter release framed with a textured ergonomics boost. The Ricoh gave me a hint more creative control and quicker access to settings - a feature appreciated in dynamic shooting situations requiring spontaneity or fine tuning.

Neither camera offers touchscreen input or illuminated buttons, so operating by feel remains key. If tactile feedback and manual override matter to you, the Ricoh’s top controls are a definite advantage. The Panasonic suffices for straightforward point-and-shoot, but those wanting refinement will find it lacking.

Sensor and Image Quality: CCD vs. CMOS in Small Sensor Territory

We pick up the story of image quality with one of the most defining specs: sensor technology.

Both cameras sport the diminutive 1/2.3-inch sensor format, a common compact standard balancing zoom reach and affordability. But Panasonic’s SZ1 opts for a 16MP CCD sensor, while Ricoh’s CX5 utilizes a 10MP CMOS variant.

Why does sensor tech and resolution matter?
CCD sensors historically excelled on image quality grounds - low noise and good color rendition - while CMOS is generally more energy-efficient, faster in readout, and offers better high ISO performance. Higher pixel counts cram detail but can exacerbate noise if sensor design is suboptimal.

In my testing across controlled lighting, Panasonic's SZ1, with its 16MP CCD, produces images with punchy colors but noticeable noise creeping above ISO 400. Dynamic range is narrow, leading to clipped highlights in backlit scenes. Fine details hold up decently at base ISO but softening from anti-aliasing filters reduces microcontrast.

The Ricoh CX5’s 10MP CMOS sensor, while lower resolution, yielded cleaner images at high ISOs - ISO 800 and 1600 remain usable for casual prints. The color reproduction felt more neutral but less vibrant. Dynamic range showed modest improvement over the SZ1, with preserved shadow detail in contrasty scenes.

For landscape or portrait photographers craving fine resolution, Panasonic’s higher pixel count might tempt you, but be wary of noise and tonal compression limitations. The Ricoh offers a more balanced image quality sweet spot for low light and general-purpose shooting, avoiding excessive grain.

Rear Display and User Experience: Visual Feedback Matters

Shooting and framing rely heavily on good LCD functionality - both in size and resolution - and here the cameras sharply differ.

Panasonic SZ1 comes with a modest 3.0-inch fixed TFT display, but resolution is just 230k dots. This low pixel density feels dated, with images appearing grainy and details hard to inspect closely during actual shooting. Still, it functions well enough for casual framing and image review.

Ricoh CX5 includes a 3.0-inch Fixed LCD but boasts a much higher resolution of 920k dots. The difference is immediate and pronounced - the CX5’s screen renders images crisply and with better contrast, which significantly aids in critical composition evaluation and manual focusing. This increased screen clarity was a boon during macro and landscape experimentation, where detail inspection matters.

Neither camera employs articulated or touchscreen controls, limiting flexibility in awkward shooting angles and interaction.

If visual feedback during capture or review is a priority, the Ricoh’s screen surpasses Panasonic’s by a wide margin, enhancing real-world usability.

Autofocus Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Autofocus is often make-or-break in compact zoom cameras, and here, the pairing diverges.

Panasonic SZ1 includes a 23-point contrast-detection system with face detection and continuous AF modes. However, it lacks phase detection or hybrid AF, and no manual focus override exists. During practical tests with moving subjects, autofocus was reliable only under good light and for static targets. Tracking fast-moving objects - like kids at play or pets - was sluggish and often struggled to keep focus locked. The system tends to hunt in dimmer environments, adding lag.

Ricoh CX5, meanwhile, uses a contrast-detection-only AF system but benefitted from Smooth Imaging Engine IV processor efficiency and manual focus provision. Especially in macro scenarios, being able to manually override aids focus precision immensely, a significant usability edge. Continuous AF isn’t offered, and tracking is not supported, but single-shot AF proved snappy in good light.

Importantly, the Ricoh’s AF often felt more dependable and accurate during testing - despite lacking continuous tracking - due to manual fine tuning options. The Panasonic’s AF offers beginner-friendly automation but at the cost of responsiveness in dynamic scenes.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Versatility in a Compact

Both models offer fixed superzoom lenses with roughly 10x optical zoom.

The Panasonic SZ1’s lens focal length ranges from 25-250 mm equivalent with an aperture of f/3.1-5.9. This wide to telephoto versatility makes it a flexible companion from landscapes to distant subjects. The slightly wider 25mm is well suited for cramped spaces and street photography, where framing wider scenes is valuable.

Ricoh CX5 has a 28-300 mm equivalent zoom at f/3.5-5.6, slightly narrower on the wide end but reaches longer in telephoto. The longer lens especially lends itself well to wildlife or sports snapshots when you cannot get closer. Its macro focusing distance at 1 cm is among the best in compacts, enabling detailed close-ups without accessories (vs. 4 cm for Panasonic).

The Panasonic’s optical image stabilization is lens-based, and Ricoh opts for sensor-shift stabilization. Both systems work well to reduce shake, critical at long focal lengths; however, Ricoh’s system feels slightly more effective in reducing blur in handheld telephoto shots during low light.

In brief: for a travel or general use camera favoring wide angle and street use, Panasonic’s lens is more robust up front. For telephoto reach and macro versatility, Ricoh steps ahead.

Burst Shooting and Video Performance: Action and Motion Capture

Action shooting needs decent continuous shooting and video specs.

Panasonic SZ1 delivers just 1 fps continuous shooting - certainly limiting for sports or wildlife bursts. Video tops out at 1280x720 at 30fps in MPEG-4 format, with no external mic input or advanced video features. The video experience is basic, suitable for casual clips but not serious videography.

Ricoh CX5 accepts a faster 5 fps burst rate, a noticeable advantage for capturing sequences of fast action - albeit still modest compared to dedicated cameras. Video also maxes out at 720p at 30fps but with Motion JPEG compression. The camera offers slow sync flash mode for low light motion capture - a nice touch. No audio inputs means limited sound control.

If your creative aims include occasional sports or wildlife bursts, Ricoh’s 5 fps gives you more shooting freedom. Both cameras are limited for extensive video projects but capable for snapshots and YouTube-worthy clips.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Durability Insights

Neither the Panasonic SZ1 nor Ricoh CX5 offer weather sealing or ruggedized features like waterproofing or shockproofing. Both are intended for casual outdoor use rather than professional fieldwork.

Panasonic’s plastic body feels smooth but fragile under pressure, while Ricoh’s extra bulk affords a somewhat more robust tactile impression. For rough handling or adverse conditions, neither camera is ideal.

Battery Life and Connectivity: Practical Considerations

Battery life in the Panasonic SZ1 rates around 250 shots per charge, adequate for short outings but limited for long travel days without charging options. Ricoh CX5’s official rating is missing, but in practice, it performs roughly comparably, with the advantage of custom self-timer and time-lapse modes for longer creative sessions.

Both cameras lack wireless connectivity - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC - meaning image transfer is via USB 2.0 or memory card swaps. HDMI is absent, reducing direct playback flexibility on monitors.

Image Samples and Real-World Performance

Panasonic SZ1 front Panasonic SZ1 screen back Ricoh CX5 front Ricoh CX5 screen back

Practical shooting tests reveal nuances beyond specs:

• Panasonic SZ1 images show strong saturation and solid detail in daylight. Exposure sometimes clips highlights.
• Ricoh CX5 files exhibit softer colors but better control of noise and dynamic range in varied lighting.
• Macro photos from Ricoh are sharply detailed due to close focusing ability.
• Panasonic’s wider lens aids street framing, but slower AF limits candid captures.
• Both cameras reveal noise and softness at ISOs above 400, typical for small sensors of this era.

Overall Ratings and Genre-Specific Strengths

Based on a weighted scoring of factors including image quality, autofocus, ergonomics, and features:

• The Ricoh CX5 scores higher in handling, autofocus accuracy, macro, and burst shooting.
• Panasonic SZ1 scores better in portability, wide angle versatility, and image resolution.
• Both rank similarly in video and battery.

In specific genres:

• Portraits: Panasonic’s higher resolution and face detection edge slightly, but Ricoh’s better focusing options improve macro portraits.
• Landscape: Panasonic’s wider lens benefits framing; Ricoh’s sensor handles dynamic range better.
• Wildlife: Ricoh leads with longer zoom and better burst.
• Sports: Ricoh's faster burst favors action.
• Street: Panasonic edges out for size/discreetness.
• Macro: Ricoh’s 1 cm focus and manual focus shine.
• Night/Astro: Both limited by sensor tech but Ricoh better ISO handling.
• Video: Neither excels; Ricoh offers slight bursts advantage.
• Travel: Panasonic’s size wins.
• Professional Work: Both limited by lack of RAW, external controls, and durability.

Who Should Buy Which?

Buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 If:

• You want a highly portable, easy-to-use pocket camera.
• Street photography and travel convenience are your priorities.
• You value higher megapixel count for large prints.
• You prefer straightforward fully automated operation.

Buy the Ricoh CX5 If:

• You want more manual control and faster autofocus performance.
• Telephoto reach and excellent macro are important.
• You shoot action scenes needing better burst speed.
• You desire a richer LCD display and sharper image rendering at higher ISOs.

Closing Thoughts: Compact Cameras Then and Now

The Panasonic Lumix SZ1 and Ricoh CX5 represent thoughtful small sensor designs aiming to balance zoom versatility, image quality, and portability. While the SZ1 leans toward casual simplicity and pocketable form, the CX5 caters to users wanting more control and shoot-anything flexibility.

Given their age and today’s market context, both cameras show the technological limitations of early 2010s compact sensoring and processing - but also offer valuable lessons in ergonomics and versatility.

For enthusiasts making a secondhand purchase or seeking a reliable backup, the Ricoh CX5’s slightly broader feature set makes it a modestly more powerful tool, especially if you value manual focus and faster capture. The Panasonic SZ1 suits casual users prioritizing simplicity and carry convenience.

Overall, neither is a perfect one-size-fits-all, but each holds particular strengths that informed photography buyers can leverage well.

I hope this detailed breakdown empowers you to make a confident, informed choice tailored to your photographic ambitions. Compact camerawork is as much about the nuances of handling and workflow as pixels and zoom specs, and both Panasonic and Ricoh offer distinctive offerings worth understanding.

Happy shooting!