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Panasonic SZ3 vs Ricoh CX1

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Ricoh CX1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
30
Overall
31

Panasonic SZ3 vs Ricoh CX1 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2013
Ricoh CX1
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28-200mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 180g - 102 x 58 x 28mm
  • Introduced February 2009
Photography Glossary

Panasonic SZ3 vs Ricoh CX1 Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Panasonic SZ3 vs Ricoh CX1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Panasonic and Ricoh. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the SZ3 (16MP) and CX1 (9MP) but they possess the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ3 was announced 3 years after the CX1 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the SZ3 matches up against the CX1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Ricoh CX1

 SZ3 CX1 
IntroducedJanuary 2013February 2009Newer by 48 months

Reasons to pick Ricoh CX1 over the Panasonic SZ3

 CX1 SZ3 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Ricoh CX1

 SZ3 CX1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Panasonic SZ3 vs Ricoh CX1 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera often, you have to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ3 enjoys exterior measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Ricoh CX1 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic SZ3 vs Ricoh CX1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the SZ3 versus the CX1.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Ricoh CX1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SZ3 and CX1 is 96 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Ricoh CX1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Ricoh CX1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions purely by going over specifications. The pic below might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ3 and CX1.

To sum up, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Panasonic SZ3 to offer more detail with its extra 7MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The younger SZ3 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Ricoh CX1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Ricoh CX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Ricoh CX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ3
Portrait photography with Ricoh CX1
30
MP count good (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
25
focusing manually
no manual mode
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (9 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Street photography details
Ricoh CX1 Street photography details
64
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
55
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography info
Ricoh CX1 Sports photography info
41
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
provides tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
26
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (9 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography info
Ricoh CX1 Travel photography info
71
lighter than competition in class (126g)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
59
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
megapixel count low (9MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography features
Ricoh CX1 Landscape photography features
39
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
42
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
megapixel count low (9 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging highlights
Ricoh CX1 Vlogging highlights
31
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone support
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of external microphone port
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Ricoh CX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Ricoh CX1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Ricoh CX1
General Information
Make Panasonic Ricoh
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Ricoh CX1
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-01-07 2009-02-19
Body design 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 aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 3456 x 2592
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 28-200mm (7.1x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.10 m 3.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 126 gr (0.28 pounds) 180 gr (0.40 pounds)
Dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 102 x 58 x 28mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - DB-70
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 10 or Custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $150 $299