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Canon SX500 IS vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS

Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Ricoh WG-4 GPS front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41

Canon SX500 IS vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS 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
  • Introduced August 2012
  • Successor is Canon SX510 HS
Ricoh WG-4 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 235g - 124 x 64 x 33mm
  • Introduced February 2014
  • Later Model is Ricoh WG-5 GPS
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Canon SX500 IS vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS Overview

In this write-up, we are comparing the Canon SX500 IS versus Ricoh WG-4 GPS, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Waterproof by brands Canon and Ricoh. The image resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the WG-4 GPS (16MP) is fairly similar and they possess the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX500 IS was introduced 17 months earlier than the WG-4 GPS making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick view of how the SX500 IS grades vs the WG-4 GPS when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Ricoh WG-4 GPS

 SX500 IS WG-4 GPS 
Display resolution461k460kClearer display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-4 GPS over the Canon SX500 IS

 WG-4 GPS SX500 IS 
IntroducedFebruary 2014August 2012More modern by 17 months

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Ricoh WG-4 GPS

 SX500 IS WG-4 GPS 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Canon SX500 IS vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera, you need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX500 IS features outside measurements of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") along with a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) whilst the Ricoh WG-4 GPS has dimensions of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Check the Canon SX500 IS versus Ricoh WG-4 GPS in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the SX500 IS versus the WG-4 GPS.

Canon SX500 IS vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX500 IS and WG-4 GPS is 80 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very hard to see the contrast between sensor sizes purely by going over a spec sheet. The image here may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SX500 IS and WG-4 GPS.

As you can see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical MP therefore you can expect similar quality of files but you may want to take the age of the products into consideration. The more aged SX500 IS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX500 IS vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography details
Ricoh WG-4 GPS Portrait photography details
46
has manual focus
high flash sync (1/1,600 seconds)
decent MP (16MP)
comes with face detection focusing
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
41
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has face detect focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX500 IS
Street photography with Ricoh WG-4 GPS
51
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than competition (235g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX500 IS
Sports photography with Ricoh WG-4 GPS
44
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
low battery life (195 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
weather proofing
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (240 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Travel photography details
Ricoh WG-4 GPS Travel photography details
59
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
no Timelapse function
low battery life (195 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
69
weather proofing
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
bad battery life (240 CIPA)
heavier than competition (235g)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Landscape photography advice
Ricoh WG-4 GPS Landscape photography advice
46
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
low battery life (195 shots)
no Timelapse function
54
has manual focus
really wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
weather proofing
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
bad battery life (240 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX500 IS
Vlogging with Ricoh WG-4 GPS
28
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone support
34
really wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
no mic support
heavier than competition (235g)
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Canon SX500 IS vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Ricoh WG-4 GPS
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISRicoh WG-4 GPS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Ricoh
Model Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Ricoh WG-4 GPS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Introduced 2012-08-21 2014-02-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 1 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.00 m 10.00 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye, on + redeye
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/1600 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 341g (0.75 lb) 235g (0.52 lb)
Dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 195 photos 240 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $299 $210