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Canon SX500 IS vs Ricoh WG-20

Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Ricoh WG-20 front
Portability
93
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37

Canon SX500 IS vs Ricoh WG-20 Key Specs

Canon SX500 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 341g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
  • Announced August 2012
  • Updated by Canon SX510 HS
Ricoh WG-20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Launched February 2014
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Canon SX500 IS vs Ricoh WG-20 Overview

Its time to look a little more closely at the Canon SX500 IS versus Ricoh WG-20, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Waterproof by competitors Canon and Ricoh. The sensor resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the WG-20 (14MP) is very similar and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX500 IS was introduced 17 months before the WG-20 making them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the SX500 IS scores versus the WG-20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Ricoh WG-20

 SX500 IS WG-20 
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-20 over the Canon SX500 IS

 WG-20 SX500 IS 
LaunchedFebruary 2014August 2012Fresher by 17 months

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Ricoh WG-20

 SX500 IS WG-20 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Canon SX500 IS vs Ricoh WG-20 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX500 IS has external dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) whilst the Ricoh WG-20 has dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX500 IS versus Ricoh WG-20 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the SX500 IS against the WG-20.

Canon SX500 IS vs Ricoh WG-20 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX500 IS and WG-20 is 80 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Ricoh WG-20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Ricoh WG-20 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizing simply by going over specs. The visual below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX500 IS and WG-20.

All in all, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Canon SX500 IS to deliver extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop photos way more aggressively. The older SX500 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX500 IS vs Ricoh WG-20 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Ricoh WG-20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Ricoh WG-20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX500 IS
Portrait photography with Ricoh WG-20
46
you can focus manually
great flash sync speed (1/1,600 seconds)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
provides face detection focus
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
39
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (14MP)
provides face detection focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Street photography camera
Ricoh WG-20 as a Street photography camera
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
62
built in image stabilization (Digital)
weather proofing
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX500 IS
Sports photography with Ricoh WG-20
44
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery (195 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
44
built in image stabilization (Digital)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proofing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Travel photography factors
Ricoh WG-20 Travel photography factors
59
decent MP (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
no Time Lapse recording
terrible battery (195 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
71
weather proofing
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Ricoh WG-20 as a Landscape photography camera
46
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery (195 CIPA)
no Time Lapse recording
47
you can focus manually
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Digital)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Vlogging highlights
Ricoh WG-20 Vlogging highlights
28
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic socket
30
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Digital)
provides face detection focus
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
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Canon SX500 IS vs Ricoh WG-20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Ricoh WG-20
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISRicoh WG-20
General Information
Brand Canon Ricoh
Model type Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Ricoh WG-20
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Announced 2012-08-21 2014-02-05
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 1 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 4.00 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/1600 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30p, 15p), 640 x 480 (30p, 15p), 320 x 240 (30p, 15p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 341g (0.75 pounds) 164g (0.36 pounds)
Physical dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 195 photographs 260 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $299 $370