Ricoh CX5 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2: A Detailed Comparison of Two Small Sensor Superzooms

When navigating the diverse world of compact superzoom cameras, two contenders stand out from the early 2010s – the Ricoh CX5 and the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2. Both cameras cater to enthusiasts seeking versatile reach in a pocketable form, yet their specifications and approach to image-making differ in crucial ways that matter in real-world photography. After extensive hands-on testing and analysis, I’ll walk you through the nuances of these two models to help you uncover which might fit your photographic style and requirements best.

Form Factor and Handling – Size Matters, But There's More Than Just Dimensions

Starting with the physical experience - which directly influences prolonged shooting comfort and portability - the Ricoh CX5 and Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 inhabit similar compact classes, yet differ noticeably in size, weight, and ergonomic philosophy.

• Ricoh CX5: Measuring approximately 102x59x29mm and weighing 205g, the CX5 fits snugly in one hand. Its more traditional compact camera style offers straightforward control access but somewhat minimalistic ergonomics. The tactile feel is lightweight yet reassuring, although extended use can make the small grip feel less secure - something to consider if telephoto reach compels longer shooting sessions.

• Samsung Galaxy Camera 2: With dimensions of 133x71x19mm and tipping the scale at 283g, it's unmistakably larger and heavier but gains points by offering a substantial touchscreen interface and smartphone-like interaction. The extended front-to-back length coupled with the broader grip aids stability, especially given the longer focal range of its lens.

Ergonomically, while the CX5 opts for a more conventional compact design, I personally found the Galaxy Camera 2’s larger body more accommodating during my outdoor excursions, albeit at the expense of pocketability. The trade-off between size and handling comfort is palpable here.

Controls between these two also diverge significantly. Ricoh’s CX5 maintains a simplified button layout with fewer manual dials and notably lacks dedicated aperture or shutter priority modes, as we'll discuss later. The Galaxy Camera 2, however, benefits from a more versatile button arrangement complemented by an intuitive touchscreen UI, offering easier access to manual settings - an advantage for those who like to fine-tune exposure on the fly.

Sensor and Image Quality – The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras utilize a 1/2.3” type sensor - a small format typical of superzoom compacts - yet the technological generations and resolutions vary.

Ricoh CX5:

• Sensor: 10MP CMOS
• Sensor area: 28.07 mm²
• Max native ISO: 3200
• No RAW support
• Antialiasing filter: Yes

Samsung Galaxy Camera 2:

• Sensor: 16MP BSI-CMOS (Backside Illuminated)
• Same sensor size (28.07 mm²)
• Max native ISO: 3200
• No RAW support
• Antialiasing filter: Yes

Herein lies the first crucial difference - Samsung’s use of a 16MP BSI sensor theoretically improves low-light sensitivity and dynamic range by capturing more photons efficiently, despite the sensor’s small size. In contrast, Ricoh’s 10MP CMOS sensor dates earlier and lacks this backside illumination benefit.

From hours of side-by-side shooting, this translates into tangible results. The Galaxy Camera 2 produces sharper, more detailed images when shooting in good light conditions, with noticeably better noise control at ISO 800 and above. The Ricoh’s images tend to suffer from earlier smoothing and noise artifacts creeping in past ISO 400. Neither camera delivers particularly punchy dynamic range compared to larger sensor systems, yet Samsung’s sensor engineering provides a modest advantage for shadows and highlight retention.

If raw files are a priority, however, neither camera fits the bill - both offer only JPEG output, limiting post-processing latitude. Given this, those requiring extensive dynamic range manipulation or noise control should temper expectations or seek alternatives.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities – The Reach and Flexibility Showdown

Superzooms hinge on their lens performance, and here the two cameras pursue differing focal ambitions:

• Ricoh CX5: Fixed 28-300mm equivalent (10.7x zoom), aperture f/3.5-5.6
• Samsung Galaxy Camera 2: Fixed 23-483mm equivalent (21x zoom), aperture f/2.8-5.9

Samsung’s lens impressively doubles the telephoto reach, extending well beyond Ricoh’s 300mm limit to a significant 483mm. This increased zoom flexibility opens up better opportunities for distant subjects, such as wildlife or candid street moments where physical proximity isn’t feasible.

The Galaxy Camera 2’s slightly wider 23mm start point excels for landscapes and indoor photos, versus the Ricoh’s narrower 28mm. Furthermore, the Galaxy’s wider aperture at the wide end (f/2.8 vs. f/3.5) can help in low-light scenarios, letting in more light for better exposure or faster shutter speeds.

That said, optical quality across the zoom ranges reflects the limitations typical of compact superzoom lenses. Both show softness and chromatic aberrations toward the extremes of their zoom ranges, albeit with the Ricoh exhibiting slightly crisper performance around the midrange settings during my tests. Neither camera offers interchangeable lenses, naturally restricting creative control but offering convenience and consistency.

Autofocus and Focus Experience – Speed, Accuracy, and Modes

Autofocus in small sensor compacts often leans on contrast-detection, impacting speed and predictive tracking abilities, and this pair is no exception.

Despite both using contrast-detection autofocus, the Galaxy Camera 2 benefits from face detection and touch AF capabilities, making it more user-friendly in portrait and casual shooting situations. The touch-to-focus interface was notably responsive, allowing for quicker recompose shots.

Ricoh’s CX5, lacking face detection and touch focus, felt more like a fixed-target camera; focus acquisition was reliable but slow compared to modern standards. No continuous AF or tracking meant moving subjects were a challenge; burst mode was also limited to 5fps with no AF tracking, reducing suitability for action photography.

Display and User Interface – Viewing and Adjusting Your Shot

A modern camera’s rear screen often defines the interaction experience. Here Samsung clearly pushes the envelope:

• The Ricoh CX5 sports a modest 3-inch 920k-dot fixed screen without touchscreen capability. The interface is minimal and menu navigation required a fair share of button presses, which meant slower settings adjustments in varied conditions.

• The Samsung Galaxy Camera 2’s 4.8-inch HD Super Clear Touch Display dwarfs the CX5’s screen in both size and resolution, benefitting greatly from a smartphone-like user interface. Touch gestures and on-screen controls enable rapid exposure compensation, focus point shifts, and playback zooms. This intuitiveness is especially valuable when shooting in dynamic environments.

Interestingly, neither camera includes an electronic viewfinder, which some photographers may find limiting under bright daylight. Given their compact design, this omission isn’t surprising, but it does impact framing comfort.

Continuous Shooting and Performance Under Pressure

For those interested in capturing fleeting moments in wildlife or sports, continuous shooting speed and buffer depth matter.

Both cameras advertise a maximum continuous shooting speed of 5fps - respectable, but far from professional-class performance. Neither implements AF tracking during burst shooting, limiting action photography potentials.

Additionally, buffer depths are shallow, meaning continuous shooting slows quickly after a few frames. Combined with contrast-only AF and no phase-detect hybrid system, the chances of freezing fast-moving subjects sharply are slim.

Imaging Stabilization: Optical vs Sensor-Shift

Image stabilization is essential in superzoom cameras to mitigate shake amplified at longer focal lengths.

• Ricoh CX5 employs sensor-shift (in-body) stabilization.

• Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 uses optical image stabilization (OIS) built into the lens.

In practice, optical stabilization usually outperforms sensor-shift on such small sensors and lenses, and during testing the Galaxy’s OIS delivered steadier shots at extended zoom ranges, increasing keeper rates and reducing blur, especially in telephoto daylight or moderate low-light shooting.

Ricoh’s sensor-shift system still improved sharpness over no stabilization, but wasn’t as efficient at longer reaches.

Flash and Lighting – Helping Fill Shadows On Demand

Both cameras provide built-in flash units with similar ranges around 3.8 to 4.0 meters. The Ricoh CX5’s flash modes are Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Reduction, and Slow Sync, while Samsung’s include notable “fill-in” and “redeye fix” modes in addition to the basics, offering more creative lighting flexibility.

Neither supports external flashes, so studio-level lighting or off-camera flash enthusiasts will find these models quite limiting.

Video Capabilities

If you’re a hybrid shooter integrating video with stills, this aspect might be decisive.

• Ricoh CX5 records at HD 1280x720p at 30fps using Motion JPEG codec. No microphone or headphone ports are included, limiting audio control.

• Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 delivers full HD 1920x1080p with MPEG-4 and H.264 codecs, a step up in resolution and compression efficiency. Moreover, it includes a microphone port for external mics, enhancing audio quality substantially.

Neither offers advanced video features such as 4K recording or in-body electronic stabilization for video, but the Galaxy Camera 2 clearly targets users wanting better video integration. The touchscreen interface also aids video framing and setting adjustment.

Connectivity and Smart Features – Bridging Photography and Online Sharing

Samsung’s Galaxy Camera 2 integrates a quad-core Exynos processor with built-in wireless connectivity (WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, and GPS) – an impressive trove for 2014’s standards.

This allows for seamless photo uploads, GPS geotagging, and remote control via apps, effectively turning the camera into a hybrid smartphone-photography device.

Ricoh’s CX5 offers no wireless features, relying solely on USB 2.0 for file transfer and SD/SDHC card storage. For photographers prioritizing instant online sharing or app-driven creative controls, this is a significant limitation.

Battery Life and Storage

Samsung’s built-in battery provides roughly 400 shots per charge, a respectable figure but expected to fluctuate with wireless usage and screen time (given that the Galaxy Camera 2 features a sizable 4.8-inch screen).

Ricoh’s CX5 uses a removable DB-100 battery (details unspecified), which I found to yield fewer total shots but benefits from easy replacement during extended outings.

Storage-wise:

• Ricoh accepts SD/SDHC cards and also stores internally (with limited capacity).
• Samsung supports microSD/SDHC/SDXC cards.

For professionals or enthusiasts shooting bulk images or video, external SDXC card support favors the Samsung.

Handling Varied Photography Genres

What if you’re aiming for a specialized format? Here’s how each camera performs across these key areas:

Ricoh CX5 front Ricoh CX5 screen back Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 screen back

Portraiture

Samsung’s face detection autofocus and touchscreen focusing give it the clear edge. Its wider 23mm lens option aids environmental portraits, while aperture flexibility (f/2.8 at wide) can deliver softer backgrounds, albeit both systems’ small sensors limit creamy bokeh quality. Ricoh’s lack of face detect and smaller aperture range hampers portrait ease.

Landscape

Here, image quality relies heavily on dynamic range and resolution. Samsung’s higher 16MP sensor captures more detail, and its wider angle at 23mm helps with sweeping vistas. Ricoh’s 28mm start can feel tight. Both fall short in dynamic range compared to larger sensor cameras, but Samsung yields better clarity and shadow detail.

Wildlife and Sports

Samsung’s longer 483mm zoom wins for distant subjects; however, lack of AF tracking on both hurts fast subject capture. Burst mode limitations and contrast AF suggest both are suboptimal for serious action shooting. Stabilization favors Samsung again.

Street Photography

Ricoh’s smaller size and lighter body render it less conspicuous. Samsung’s touchscreen and slower AF make it more of a “smart camera” to blend casual shooting with social media. Low light performance is better on Samsung due to sensor design, but neither excels.

Macro

Ricoh’s 1cm minimum focus distance trumps Galaxy’s 10cm, lending better close-up performance. Sensor shift stabilization also aids sharp handheld macros with Ricoh. For macro enthusiasts, Ricoh gains the nod.

Night and Astro Photography

Samsung’s BSI sensor provides improved low-light sensitivity and cleaner high ISO images, though neither camera is well suited for astro work due to sensor size and absence of manual long exposure options beyond 16 seconds max.

Video

Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 delivers superior Full HD resolution, codec efficiency, and audio options, making it more video-capable than Ricoh’s HD-only offerings.

Travel Photography

Samsung’s connectivity, versatile zoom, and touchscreen interface contribute to a streamlined workflow, albeit at a size and weight penalty. Ricoh’s smaller frame appeals for serious portability, within a limited focal range.

Professional Usage

Neither camera targets pro work given sensor limitations and lack of RAW. Samsung provides better integration with GPS and wireless. Ricoh’s simpler system might be favored by photographers wanting basic superzoom capability without distractions.

Technical Summary and Performance Rankings

When we boil down their offerings into raw performance metrics and usability:

Verdict: Which Camera for Whom?

Choosing between these models depends heavily on your photographic priorities and tolerances:

• Choose Ricoh CX5 if:

  • You prioritize compactness and light weight for travel or street photography.
  • Macro shooting is important for you, given its impressive close-focusing abilities.
  • You want a straightforward, no-frills point-and-shoot experience without reliance on smart features.

• Choose Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 if:

  • You desire a much longer zoom for wildlife and telephoto needs.
  • Video recording quality and connectivity matter, including external microphone support.
  • You appreciate touch-based controls and in-camera smart functions, including photo sharing and GPS.
  • Improved image quality and low-light performance are a priority.

Both cameras reflect design philosophies rooted in their announcement years (2011 for Ricoh, 2014 for Samsung), and while neither matches today’s mirrorless or smartphone camera technology in sensor size or autofocus sophistication, they offer insight into superzoom compact evolution.

Final Thoughts From Experience

In my hands-on testing, I appreciated the Ricoh CX5’s simplicity and surprisingly good macro capability, but found its limited zoom and lack of touch controls increasingly frustrating. Samsung’s Galaxy Camera 2, on the other hand, felt ahead of its time in integrating connectivity and smart interfaces - a trend that foreshadowed the smartphone-combo devices we see today.

Neither camera suits professional photography demands or advanced low-light action shooting, but for casual enthusiasts wanting flexible zoom and decent image quality with intuitive controls, Samsung emerges as the more compelling choice - provided you can handle its bulk.

If you’d like to dive deeper into samples and workflow tips for either model, feel free to reach out. I encourage readers to test cameras themselves where possible, as tactile comfort and interface responsiveness are personal and critical aspects I always weigh heavily.

I hope this detailed comparison empowers you to assess these two intriguing small sensor superzooms with greater clarity. Whether simplicity or smart functionality leads your decision, understanding their strengths and weaknesses will serve your photography better than spec sheets alone.

Happy shooting!