Canon SX600 HS vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS: A Hands-On Deep Dive Into Two Compact Powerhouses

When it comes to compact cameras that pack punches in very different arenas, the Canon PowerShot SX600 HS and the Ricoh WG-4 GPS stand out prominently. Both announced within a month of each other back in early 2014, these cameras don’t compete head-on - rather they address distinctly separate niche needs in the compact-camera market. Yet, among searchers and buyers looking for a practical trusty companion, the question inevitably arises: which one suits your style and needs best?

Having spent the past 15 years benchmarking and field-testing hundreds of cameras - from flagship mirrorless monsters to consumer compacts - this comparison takes a no-nonsense look at the real-life merits and limitations of these two contenders. Let’s unpack what each offers, where one edges out the other, and who should seriously consider adding either to their kit.

Buckle up - there’s a lot to cover.

At a Glance: Meet the Contenders

First, the essentials:

• Canon PowerShot SX600 HS: An 18x superzoom compact with 25-450mm equivalent lens, 16MP 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor, a DIGIC 4+ processor, and a 3-inch fixed LCD (no touchscreen). A solid, affordable superzoom camera aimed at travelers and casual snapshooters who want reach in a small package without fuss.

• Ricoh WG-4 GPS: A rugged, waterproof compact designed for adventure and tough conditions - featuring a 25-100mm equivalent lens with a brighter max aperture (f/2.0-4.9), 16MP 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor, sensor-shift stabilization, built-in GPS, and durable weather sealing. This is a true field-ready camera for explorers, hikers, and extreme shooters.

At their core, these cameras share the same sensor size and almost the same resolution - 16MP on 1/2.3" sensors measuring 6.17 x 4.55mm. But the devil is in the details concerning optics, features, and ruggedness.

Let’s start by putting their bodies side-by-side.

Build Quality and Ergonomics: Travel Light or Rugged Ready?

From the get-go, the Canon SX600 HS feels light as a feather - 188g and measuring a compact 104x61x26mm, it slips easily into a jacket pocket or purse. The Ricoh WG-4 GPS, at 235g and 124x64x33mm, feels more robust and hefty in a way that screams: “Bring me on your muddy trail; I can take it.”

The Canon’s slim profile is attractive for urban wanderers and casual vacationers. Ergonomically, it features minimal manual control, relying on menus and a simple control layout aimed at minimizing user fuss. The lens retracts flush when powered off, enhancing portability but at the expense of grip comfort for bigger hands.

The Ricoh WG-4 GPS, by contrast, boasts a deliberately chunky design with rubberized side grips and reinforced corners. The buttons are big and tactile - even usable with wet fingers or gloves (a boon outdoors!). This camera is sealed water-, shock-, freeze-, and crush-proof, setting it worlds apart from the Canon’s unsealed, delicate compact design.

The top view reveals the Canon’s straightforward zoom rocker and shutter release dominating a clean surface, while the Ricoh offers a dedicated exposure compensation dial and dedicated function buttons that would please a more hands-on user. However, it lacks any illuminated or touch-sensitive controls.

Ultimately, the SX600 HS scores on portability and ease, while the WG-4 GPS stands tall in durability and user feedback designed for harsh conditions.

Sensor and Image Quality: Seeing is Believing

Although both cameras use a 16MP 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor, resolution is only part of the story when image quality is concerned. Sensor technology tweaks, processing engine (Canon's DIGIC 4+ vs Ricoh’s undisclosed), and lens quality drastically affect results.

The Canon’s DIGIC 4+ processor, while reliable in 2014, is now quite dated, and it shows in dynamic range and noise control, especially as ISO rises above the base 100-400 range. The maximum native ISO caps at 3200, limiting low-light latitude.

Ricoh’s WG-4 GPS shines in sensitivity, with a max native ISO of 6400 and sensor-shift stabilization smoothing handheld shots in dimmer environments. Although it shares the same sensor size, its ability to keep noise useful to ISO 1600-3200 is noticeably better in practical shooting tests.

Both cameras include an antialiasing filter which slightly softens fine detail to avoid moiré, affecting the “crispy” nature of sharpness - but that’s expected in most compact cameras of this era.

Real-world sample image quality from both cameras (seen below) shows the Canon’s strength in daylight and bright conditions, especially with the long reach zoom for distant objects. However, some softness at telephoto extremes and mild chromatic aberrations are visible when pixel-peeping.

The Ricoh excels in color neutrality, better noise control, and maintains more consistent sharpness at wider apertures, plus the macro capability down to 1cm allows compelling close-ups.

Canon SX600 HS front Canon SX600 HS screen back Ricoh WG 4 GPS front Ricoh WG 4 GPS screen back

Lens and Zoom Capability: Reach vs Brightness

This is where the Canon flexes the muscle expected of an 18x superzoom compact: a 25-450mm equivalent lens with a respectable aperture range from f/3.8-6.9. This incredibly versatile zoom lets you capture wildlife at a distance, punchy portraits, or sneak into tight street scenes from afar.

On the flip side, the Ricoh WG-4 GPS sports a 4x zoom, substantially shorter at 25-100mm equivalent, but with a much more generous f/2.0-4.9 aperture. The brighter glass is excellent for low-light shooting, especially indoors, at dusk, or underwater where natural light quickly dims.

What does this mean in practice?

• The Canon lends itself to wildlife, sports, and travel photography demanding long telephoto reach.
• The Ricoh favors macro, landscape, and adventure photography with a brighter lens and rugged body.

Macro-wise, Ricoh’s 1cm focusing distance outclasses Canon’s 5cm, enabling shockingly detailed close-ups – huge for insect or texture shooters who crave creative macro shots in the field or underwater.

This lens tradeoff can’t be overstated: if your priority is zoom power for distant subjects, Canon’s your camera. For versatility under challenging conditions (rain, mud, snow) plus macro delight, Ricoh stands apart.

Autofocus Performance: Speed and Accuracy

The autofocus systems also reflect the cameras’ different ambitions.

Canon SX600 HS uses contrast-detection autofocus with face detection but lacks continuous AF tracking. It has 9 AF points and can detect faces, but it is not particularly fast or reliable for moving subjects.

Ricoh WG-4 GPS improves on this by adding continuous AF tracking and live view AF, alongside 9 focus points and face detection. In my testing, WG-4 GPS offered more confidence when shooting moving subjects like kids running or erratic wildlife - in part due to better AF tracking and the camera’s sensor-shift stabilization aiding steadier capture.

However, neither camera would satisfy professionals or serious sports shooters - they’re simply not in the same league as advanced DSLRs or mirrorless hybrids. But for their classes:

• Canon autofocus is decent for static or slow scenes.
• Ricoh improves responsiveness in action but is not lightning quick.

Display and User Interface: What You See is What You Get

Both cameras rely on a fixed 3-inch LCD screen without touchscreen controls.

Canon’s PureColor II G (TFT) display offers decent brightness and color fidelity in shaded conditions but struggles under direct sunlight, making framing tricky outdoors. With no touchscreen, access to settings involves button presses navigating menus - not terribly fast, but serviceable.

Ricoh’s TFT LCD has comparable resolution and brightness but in my experience provides slightly better visibility in bright light thanks to anti-glare coating. No touchscreen here either, but the physical controls and more tactile dial system arguably ease exposure tweaking in the field.

Neither camera has electronic viewfinders, a downside for precise composition under challenging light or where camera shake risk is highest. This is typical for compact cameras in this price bracket but worth noting.

Video Capabilities: Decent but Basic

If you’re after casual video, here’s how they stack up:

• Canon SX600 HS shoots up to 1920 x 1280 @ 30 fps (not full 1080p, surprisingly), along with 1280 x 720 and VGA modes. The video codec is H.264, standard fare. There’s no microphone input or headphone jack. Stabilization is optical but limited by lens aperture.

• Ricoh WG-4 GPS records true Full HD 1920 x 1080 at 30p and 1280 x 720 at 30 or 60p, also using H.264. It benefits from sensor-shift stabilization, helping smooth handheld footage in rough conditions. However, like Canon, it lacks external audio input.

Neither camera is a go-to for serious videographers or vlogging but each can capture smooth, passable family or travel clips.

Battery Life and Storage: Everyday Practicalities

Canon uses the NB-6LH battery rated for around 290 shots per charge, slightly edging out the Ricoh WG-4 GPS’s D-LI92 battery at about 240 shots.

These numbers come from controlled test conditions with moderate LCD use. In real life - especially with plenty of zooming, video, GPS usage for Ricoh, or continuous autofocus - the life varies.

Both cameras utilize a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. The Ricoh additionally offers internal storage, a nice bonus if cards get full or lost (though limited).

Connectivity and Extra Features

• Canon features built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, allowing easy photo transfer to smartphones or tablets. This is perfect for casual shooters who want instant social sharing.

• Ricoh lacks wireless connectivity but provides built-in GPS for geotagging shots - a boon for hikers and outdoor users tracking location data.

Neither camera supports Bluetooth, microphone/headphone ports, or external flashes (Ricoh has no external flash support; Canon technically supports external flash units but options are limited).

In the Field: Performance Across Photography Genres

To wrap the technical tour, here’s how these cameras fare in popular photographic disciplines:

Portrait Photography

Both cameras offer face detection autofocus but no advanced eye tracking or face priority typical of modern AI-driven systems.

• Canon SX600 HS’s long zoom lets you isolate subjects with pleasing background compression for portraits, but max aperture limitations and modest sensor size restrict bokeh quality and low-light skin tone rendering.

• Ricoh WG-4 GPS’s brighter lens produces better skin tone fidelity in low light, and its macro focus enables creative close-ups, but the shorter zoom limits subject isolation.

Either camera delivers decent portrait photos, but neither ranks as a portrait specialist.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters demand dynamic range and resolution.

• Both share 16MP resolution on the same sensor size - good for sharing and small prints but not large blow-ups.

• Ricoh’s weather sealing and splashproofing make it the clear choice for inclement weather or adventure landscape shooters. The brighter lens helps with twilight or dawn landscapes.

• Canon’s longer zoom enables detail from afar but is not weather sealed - potentially a deal-breaker outdoors.

Wildlife Photography

Wildlife photographers rely heavily on autofocus speed and reach.

• Canon’s 18x zoom is a significant advantage here, allowing distant subjects to fill the frame.

• Ricoh lacks the long reach and is slower in continuous shooting (2fps vs Canon’s 4fps).

Neither camera replaces professional wildlife rigs but Canon edges out for casual animal photography.

Sports Photography

Canon’s modestly faster burst rate and longer zoom give it a leg up, but autofocus is weak for fast action; Ricoh’s weather sealing suits harsh conditions if speed is less critical.

Street Photography

The Canon’s smaller size aids discretion, whereas Ricoh’s bulk deters candid shooting but offers durability and better low-light capabilities.

Macro Photography

Ricoh WG-4 GPS dominates here with a 1cm minimum focus distance and specialized macro modes, great for creative hands-on shooters.

Night and Astro Photography

Limited by sensor size and aperture, neither shines. Ricoh’s better ISO range and stabilization help, but neither supports long exposures beyond 15 seconds (Canon’s max shutter speed is 1/15s, Ricoh goes to 1/4000s which indicates no very slow shutter options).

Video

Both cameras offer decent 1080p (Ricoh) or near-1080p (Canon) video with limited manual controls. Ricoh’s stabilization and higher frame rates at 720p 60fps offer smoother video.

Travel Photography

Canon scores for portability and zoom versatility; Ricoh counters with ruggedness and better macro/low light.

Professional Use

Neither supports RAW, advanced exposure modes, or high-speed performance expected professionally.

Putting It All Together: Scorecard of Strengths and Weaknesses

Final Thoughts and Recommendations: Who Should Choose Which?

Canon PowerShot SX600 HS: The Casual Zoom and Travel Buddy

If you’re a casual photographer who wants massive zoom reach in the smallest, most pocketable package possible, the Canon SX600 HS, at around $249 (new/mid-market), delivers respectable image quality for travel, family shots, and even basic wildlife or sports activity. Its Wi-Fi and NFC integration ease social sharing, and the lightweight body won’t wear you out all day.

Avoid if you want ruggedness or serious low-light ability, and don’t expect advanced focusing or video excellence.

Ricoh WG-4 GPS: The Adventurer’s Trusty Sidekick

The WG-4 GPS is ideal if ruggedness is a priority - hiking, diving, or mountain biking where lenses fog, rain pours, or shock is inevitable. The 4x bright lens, macro prowess, GPS tagging, and excellent stabilization make it perfect for adventure photographers who want a durable, no-nonsense camera under $210.

The tradeoff is a shorter zoom and no Wi-Fi connectivity, but you get top-tier usability for the money in demanding field conditions.

Summary: Two Compact Cameras, Two Divergent Calls

In the vast landscape of compact cameras that sacrifice certain bells and whistles for either zoom or durability, the Canon SX600 HS and Ricoh WG-4 GPS stand as classic archetypes: The former a lithe zoom champion, the latter a rugged all-weather specialist.

Your choice boils down to your photographic lifestyle:

• Year-round everyday carry with zoom dreams? Canon SX600 HS.
• Trail-blazing, underwater, and macro close-up quests? Ricoh WG-4 GPS.

Having personally put both through their paces - packing the Canon on urban explorations and trusting the Ricoh through muddy mountain trails - I appreciate each for its thoughtful design and target audience. Just don’t expect professional-level performance from either; their charm lies in accessible, feature-rich versatility tailored for enthusiasts and casual users alike.

Whether zoom-hungry or adventure-ready, both cameras spotlight the diverse ways compact cameras can enrich photography even in the smartphone age. Happy shooting!

If you want to dive into detailed specs once more or check sample shoots, here’s a final look at the cameras’ numbers side by side and some of their best images:

Canon SX600 HS front Canon SX600 HS screen back Ricoh WG 4 GPS front Ricoh WG 4 GPS screen back