Pentax S1 vs Ricoh CX3
93 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34


92 Imaging
33 Features
35 Overall
33
Pentax S1 vs Ricoh CX3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
- Released March 2011
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
- 206g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
- Launched June 2010

Pentax S1 vs Ricoh CX3 Overview
Below is a thorough comparison of the Pentax S1 vs Ricoh CX3, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Pentax and Ricoh. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the S1 (14MP) and CX3 (10MP) but they come with the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The S1 was released 9 months later than the CX3 and they are both of a similar age. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise summation of how the S1 grades vs the CX3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Pentax S1 vs Ricoh CX3 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax Optio S1 & Ricoh CX3. The complete galleries are viewable at Pentax S1 Gallery & Ricoh CX3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Ricoh CX3
S1 | CX3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | March 2011 | ![]() | June 2010 | More recent by 9 months |
Reasons to pick Ricoh CX3 over the Pentax S1
CX3 | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax S1 and Ricoh CX3
S1 | CX3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch screen |
Pentax S1 vs Ricoh CX3 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to lug around your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax S1 has external measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Ricoh CX3 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).
Compare the Pentax S1 vs Ricoh CX3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the S1 versus the CX3.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the S1 and CX3 is 93 and 92 respectively.

Pentax S1 vs Ricoh CX3 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is very tough to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reading through technical specs. The visual here might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the S1 and CX3.
As you have seen, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Pentax S1 to give extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures much more aggressively. The newer S1 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax S1 vs Ricoh CX3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax S1 vs Ricoh CX3 Specifications
Pentax Optio S1 | Ricoh CX3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Pentax | Ricoh |
Model | Pentax Optio S1 | Ricoh CX3 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2011-03-02 | 2010-06-16 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Smooth Imaging Engine IV |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14MP | 10MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 |
Full resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 3648 x 2736 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 28-300mm (10.7x) |
Max aperture | f/3.5-5.5 | f/3.5-5.6 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display tech | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4 seconds | 8 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1500 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 3.90 m | 4.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 | 157 gr (0.35 pounds) | 206 gr (0.45 pounds) |
Dimensions | 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 102 x 58 x 29mm (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 | 260 pictures | - |
Battery style | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | D-LI92 | DB-100 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2, 10 or Custom) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC card, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail price | $174 | $329 |