Canon SX500 IS vs Ricoh WG-20
80 Imaging
39 Features
40 Overall
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93 Imaging
38 Features
36 Overall
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Canon SX500 IS vs Ricoh WG-20 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SX500 IS vs Ricoh WG-20 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX500 IS & Ricoh WG-20. The whole galleries are provided at Canon SX500 IS Gallery & Ricoh WG-20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Ricoh WG-20
SX500 IS | WG-20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-20 over the Canon SX500 IS
WG-20 | SX500 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2014 | ![]() | August 2012 | Fresher by 17 months |
Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Ricoh WG-20
SX500 IS | WG-20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Ricoh WG-20 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Ricoh 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 |