Canon N Facebook ready vs Ricoh WG-30

Compact Contenders: Canon PowerShot N Facebook Ready vs Ricoh WG-30 in Practical Use

Choosing the right compact camera is never straightforward - there’s always a balance of features, portability, image quality, and price. Today, I’m diving deep into two very different yet similarly compact cameras: the Canon PowerShot N Facebook Ready, announced back in 2013, and the Ricoh WG-30, released a year later in 2014. I've had hands-on time testing both cameras extensively, so I’m sharing how they really perform across photography disciplines and everyday situations, beyond mere specs.

Let’s explore what sets these two apart, identifying who each camera truly suits, supported by detailed technical analysis and real-world experience. Along the way, I’ll be weaving in comparative images to illustrate their design, sensor size, UI, and performance metrics, so you can get a well-rounded, expert perspective.

How Do These Compacts Stack Up Physically?

At a glance, both cameras are shaped for portability, but they lean in very different ergonomic directions. The Canon opts for super compactness with a neat 79 x 60 x 29 mm profile while the Ricoh is a little longer and thicker, measuring 123 x 62 x 30 mm. Despite Canon’s overt portability edge, the Ricoh’s extra heft signals a sturdier build with rugged ambitions.

From my testing, the Canon’s diminutive size makes it superb for pocket carry and casual snaps, yet it sacrifices some grip comfort and button accessibility. The Ricoh WG-30, designed as a rugged waterproof shooter, feels more substantial in hand, with rubberized grips that inspire confidence during active use. If you want a carry-all-day casual or social-centric pocket camera, Canon nails the convenience factor. On the other hand, if you’re after a compact that survives a few knocks and wet conditions, Ricoh’s design is hard to beat.

Interface and Controls: Minimalist Simplicity vs Practical Ruggedness

Here’s where things get interesting: Each camera’s top layout and control scheme reveal their philosophy on user experience.

Canon’s PowerShot N employs a minimalist approach - only a couple of physical buttons and a touchscreen-centric interface. Its 2.8-inch tilting touchscreen offers intuitive tap-and-swipe controls, which is remarkably rare for 2013 models. Navigating menus or framing self-portraits is arguably more straightforward here, especially for novices transitioning from smartphones.

In contrast, Ricoh’s WG-30 forgoes touchscreen in favor of physical buttons and dials, optimized for underwater or rugged outdoor use where touchscreens often falter. Its smaller 2.7-inch fixed LCD lacks touch capability and sports a lower resolution, so image review and menu access feel a bit dated. Still, the buttons are well spaced, logical, and usable with gloves or wet fingers.

If you value an interface optimized for casual, social sharing with selfie flexibility, the Canon’s touchscreen UX is a winner. The Ricoh’s layout is practical if you regularly shoot outdoors in less forgiving environments.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality - Beyond the Numbers

Sensor specs are strikingly close - both use the same 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor size (6.17 x 4.55 mm), a common compact camera standard. Canon’s 12-megapixel resolution contrasts with Ricoh’s 16 megapixels, which at first glance suggests better detail from the Ricoh.

However, my testing tells a nuanced story. Higher megapixels do not always translate into better image quality, especially since both sensors are limited by their small physical size, which impacts dynamic range and noise performance.

Canon PowerShot N leverages the DIGIC 5 processor to optimize noise control and image processing. Photos from this Canon show slightly cleaner low-light performance due to effective noise reduction algorithms. Skin tones, essential for portraits, look more natural with pleasing saturation but can occasionally feel a bit soft wide open due to the limited lens aperture range (f/3.0–5.9).

Ricoh WG-30 produces higher resolution images, which are noticeably sharper in good light but reveal more noise at ISO 800 and above. The digital stabilization also occasionally introduces slight softness in tricky conditions. Color reproduction is serviceable, with a slight bias towards cooler tones.

Bottom line: For casual snapshots, both deliver competent results. But if you’re after cleaner, more pleasing pictures in varied lighting, Canon’s optimized processing edges out here.

Checking the Back: Screen Quality and User Interaction

Let’s compare the user-facing display experience since it influences framing and reviewing shots.

Canon’s 2.8-inch PureColor II G touchscreen offers 461k-dot resolution, tilted for flexibility - a boon when shooting at arms’ length or low angles. The touchscreen adds ease in selecting focus points or toggling settings, making it versatile for quick creative capture or selfies.

Ricoh’s 2.7-inch fixed screen, with half the resolution (230k dots), feels cramped and less crisp, especially under bright daylight. The lack of tilt or touch hinders usability, but it compensates with robust outdoor visibility, courtesy of anti-reflective coating and backlight compensation.

If your use-case includes spontaneous shooting with flexible angles or social media sharing, Canon is clearly ahead. For tough environmental conditions where screen ruggedness counts more than polish, Ricoh suits better.

Autofocus Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Versatility

Autofocus systems are pivotal for various photography genres, and these cameras embody fundamentally different AF capabilities.

The Canon PowerShot N is equipped solely with contrast-detection autofocus, lacking face or eye detection, continuous tracking, or manual focus options. It delivers decent focus lock in well-lit conditions but struggles to maintain sharp focus on moving subjects or in dimmer environments. Canon’s omission of multiple AF points leaves composition reliant on central focusing - fine for portraits or landscapes, less so for sports or wildlife.

By contrast, the Ricoh WG-30 impresses in this department. It features contrast-detect AF with face detection and nine focus points, along with selectable AF area modes and basic tracking. In practice, I found Ricoh’s AF notably faster and more reliable under varied conditions, including moving subjects. This makes a significant difference when photographing wildlife or fast-paced event shooting.

Burst Speeds and Shutter Lag for Action Photography

Continuous shooting performance matters if you like capturing decisive moments or fast action. Here, the limitations are clear.

Canon PowerShot N records bursts at roughly 2 fps, while the Ricoh WG-30 manages only 1 fps. Neither is designed with high-speed shooting in mind (sports photographers, take note). There’s no electronic shutter option on either to reduce shutter lag. Both cameras therefore favor casual and lifestyle use rather than pro-level action capture.

Optical Zoom and Macro Capability

Both have fixed zoom lenses but with notable differences.

Canon’s 8x zoom (28-224mm equivalent) covers a versatile range, enabling some telephoto reach not available on many compact cameras. Aperture dims as zoom increases, which can limit low-light telephoto shots but is acceptable given the compact design. Macro focus is notably close at 1 cm, great for flower or product close-ups.

Ricoh’s 5x zoom (28-140mm equivalent) is more limited telephoto-wise and has a slightly narrower maximum aperture range (f/3.5-5.5). It, too, supports a 1 cm macro range, producing reasonable close-ups. However, the Ricoh’s optical design optimizes for durability over optical excellence, so expect some softness wide open or at telephoto extremes.

Weather Sealing and Durability - Designed for Different Worlds

This is a top-level differentiator.

Ricoh WG-30 is built tough: It’s waterproof to 10m, freezeproof, shockproof, and crushproof, with sealed body construction to survive outdoor adventures. For shooters needing a camera to accompany hikes, snorkeling, or even snow sports, this is a rare commodity at this price point.

The Canon PowerShot N lacks any environmental sealing and is far more fragile in comparison. Its polished finish and compact metal/glass parts cater to a more indoor or urban user.

Battery Performance: Daily Shooting Vs Extended Adventures

Ricoh’s battery life of approximately 300 shots per charge trumps Canon’s 200 shots, a useful boost when you’re away from power for extended shoots or travel. Battery models differ (NB-9L for Canon vs D-LI92 for Ricoh), but both are proprietary packs - worth considering if you shoot a lot and want spares.

Wireless Connectivity and Sharing

Canon’s “Facebook Ready” branding is no joke - it includes built-in Wi-Fi enabling quick image uploading and sharing. Though I’d have preferred integrated Bluetooth and NFC for easier pairing, Wi-Fi alone is powerful for its time and simply absent in the Ricoh.

Ricoh WG-30 offers no wireless features, requiring USB or SD card transfer - a critical limitation if instant sharing is your priority.

Video Capabilities: Casual Clips or More?

Interestingly, both cameras max out at full HD 1080p video recording but with some distinctions.

Canon’s video supports 24 fps in 1080p and multiple frame rate options including slow-motion modes (120 fps at 640x480), which is neat for creative clips. It lacks microphone input and headphone jacks, typical at this class.

Ricoh captures 1080p at 30 fps and 720p video. It also supports basic timelapse recording - a handy creative tool. The digital stabilization can help reduce handheld shake but sometimes softens footage.

Neither camera is a filmmaker’s dream but both suit casual video color and resolution needs. If slow motion or variable frame rates appeal, Canon nudges ahead.

Genre-by-Genre Performance Breakdown

To sum up how each performs across common photography genres, here’s a consolidated view based on hands-on shooting and benchmarked tests.

• Portraits: Canon’s natural skin tones and bokeh-friendlier lens aperture make it better; Ricoh’s face detection is handy, but cooler color balance and lens limit appeal.
• Landscapes: Ricoh’s higher megapixels and ruggedness suit outdoor landscapes, though Canon’s tilt screen eases composition.
• Wildlife: Ricoh’s faster AF and stabilization edge out Canon; longer zoom helps too.
• Sports: Neither excels; Ricoh's marginally better AF tracking.
• Street: Canon’s compactness, quiet operation, and Wi-Fi sharing win for street shooters.
• Macro: Both good - Canon’s 8x zoom aids creative framing.
• Night/Astro: Both limited by sensor size; Canon’s cleaner high ISO slightly better.
• Video: Canon’s slow-motion options lead.
• Travel: Ricoh’s ruggedness and extended battery life make it a reliable travel companion, despite size.
• Professional: Neither target pro-level work; limited manual features and raw support.

Summarizing Overall Scores and Value

A consolidated performance rating gives a snapshot of strengths and weaknesses.

Ricoh WG-30 ranks higher in build quality, durability, AF, and battery life, while Canon PowerShot N Facebook Ready scores better in portability, interface, and casual social use.

What Really Stands Out - My Personal Takeaways

• If you want a tiny, social media-savvy compact with intuitive touchscreen controls for casual shooting, selfies, and straightforward fun, the Canon PowerShot N Facebook Ready is a compelling choice. The unique square-ish design is also a conversation starter.

• Conversely, if your photography involves hiking, snorkeling, or fieldwork where durability matters, or you want slightly better image resolution and autofocus speed, the Ricoh WG-30 excels as a rugged all-rounder.

Dear Canon, a future iteration with raw support and faster AF would vastly elevate this camera’s use. Similarly, Ricoh could benefit from adding wireless connectivity and a touchscreen to match modern user expectations.

Practical Buying Advice: Who Should Pick Which?

• For casual social shooters, city explorers, and those valuing compactness: Canon’s PowerShot N offers excellent convenience, Wi-Fi sharing, better user interface, and photo quality that favors skin tones and portraits. Plus, it’s generally cheaper (~$300).

• For adventure photographers, travelers, and users needing a tough camera: Ricoh WG-30’s waterproof, shockproof, and freezeproof body, combined with faster autofocus and longer battery life, justify the premium (~$430). It’s made to survive and capture moments where others fail.

Neither camera competes with recent mirrorless or high-end compacts, but within their niche, each serves distinct needs exceptionally well.

Final Words

These two compact cameras embody different philosophies: Canon as lightweight, social-first gear, and Ricoh as a dependable tool for the outdoors. Both represent solid value in their categories, though you must align your choice with your priorities - portability and interface vs durability and autofocus performance.

Here’s hoping this detailed comparison helps you navigate their nuanced strengths and weaknesses so you can pick a camera that truly fits your photography lifestyle.

Canon N Facebook ready screen back Ricoh WG 30 front Ricoh WG 30 screen back

Happy shooting!

Appendices: Technical Notes on Testing

My evaluation involved standardized real-world shooting scenarios: indoor portraits under tungsten lighting, outdoor landscapes in mixed weather, wildlife tracking at a local park, and some street walks in urban twilight. To objectively compare, I used ISO ranges incrementally, tested AF accuracy with moving subjects, and analyzed video stabilization in handheld situations.

My lab analysis inspected lens sharpness across zoom range and screen visibility under harsh lighting conditions. Battery tests measured average shot count with flash-heavy use and continuous video recording.

If you have any questions about specialized use cases for these cameras, feel free to ask. I’m always eager to help photographers make informed choices based on real, hands-on experience.