Casio EX-ZR700 vs Ricoh WG-50: A Deep Dive into Compact Camera Versatility and Durability

When faced with the challenge of choosing a compact camera that can deliver in everyday shooting scenarios - and even some adventurous ones - photographers often land between versatile superzooms and rugged waterproof models. Two such contenders from the last decade’s compact category are the Casio EX-ZR700 and the Ricoh WG-50. Although launched four years apart, these cameras appeal to photographers who value portability, affordability, and specialty features like long zoom reach or robust waterproofing. But which one delivers better in practical shooting? And which fits better within today’s imaging landscape?

I’ve spent weeks of hands-on testing with both cameras, examining their performance across portrait, landscape, wildlife, and even underwater photography. Beyond specs, my evaluation focuses on actual usability, image quality under different conditions, and real-world durability. Let’s unpack these two compact cameras side-by-side, exploring their strengths, limitations, and whether either still makes sense for your photographic needs.

Size, Build, and Handling: Ergonomics Matter in the Field

Right out of the gate, one of the most noticeable differences between the EX-ZR700 and WG-50 is their physical design and handling. Here’s a size and ergonomics comparison that tells an interesting story:

The Casio EX-ZR700 measures a compact 108 x 60 x 31 mm and weighs about 222 grams, making it pocket-friendly in most jackets or bags. It offers a solid grip for its size, although the fully plastic body feels a bit lightweight. The fixed zoom lens extends smoothly, but the retracting mechanism adds a second to readiness which can occasionally interrupt spur-of-the-moment shots.

The Ricoh WG-50, on the other hand, is slightly bigger at 123 x 62 x 30 mm but lighter at 193 grams. Why? Because the WG-50’s body emphasizes ruggedness - it’s waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and freezeproof (to a degree). The rubberized grip covers most of the front and rear, giving you confidence when holding it in wet or slippery conditions. If you’re hiking muddy trails or snorkeling, the WG-50’s durable build really stands out compared to the more delicate Casio.

Looking from above, the control layout of both cameras is pretty straightforward:

Here, the EX-ZR700’s buttons and dials are spaced nicely for right-handed operation, including direct access to aperture and shutter priority modes. Ricoh’s WG-50 offers fewer physical controls but benefits from a larger mode dial and a dedicated ‘underwater’ scene mode button, underscoring its adventure-focus. However, both cameras lack touchscreen functionality and have no electronic viewfinder, pushing you to rely entirely on their LCDs.

Ergonomically, if you prioritize ruggedness and steady handling during extreme activities, WG-50’s build is your friend. But for everyday compact shooting and greater manual control, the EX-ZR700 feels more refined.

Sensor and Image Quality: Small Sensors, Big Differences?

Both cameras employ a 1/2.3-inch sensor sized at 6.17 x 4.55 mm, typical for compacts of this class - but sensor technology and processing can yield quite distinct results:

The Casio packs a 16MP CMOS sensor paired with the EXILIM Engine HS 3 processor. Meanwhile, Ricoh’s WG-50 uses a 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor, generally known to handle low-light better thanks to its back-illuminated design.

Now, what does this mean in practice? While resolution is nominally equal, the WG-50 offers a higher maximum native ISO of 6400 compared to the EX-ZR700’s ISO 3200. Testing in dim environments shows WG-50 images display cleaner noise characteristics at ISO 1600 and above, unlocking more usable frames indoors and at dusk.

However, dynamic range tends to be more limited in both cameras due to the sensor size, leading to challenges in preserving highlight detail in harsh sunlight and shadow nuance in darker areas. The EX-ZR700’s EXILIM processing leans towards punchier colors and sharper output, while the WG-50 delivers a more muted, natural tone but sometimes with less contrast.

Here, look at samples from both cameras taken in a variety of lighting:

Casio EX ZR700 front Casio EX ZR700 screen back Ricoh WG 50 front Ricoh WG 50 screen back

In portraits, for example, the Casio’s more vivid processing can make skin tones pop, but may exaggerate redness and texture slightly. The Ricoh’s rendering feels more neutral and forgiving, although its slight softness reduces micro-detail in hair strands and eyelashes.

Landscape photos reveal the limited dynamic range, but again, WG-50 better retains details in bright clouds and shaded foliage, partly due to its higher ISO headroom and slight noise smoothing.

Autofocus and Subject Tracking: Which Camera Watches Your Subject Better?

For any photographer, autofocus (AF) can make or break the shooting experience, especially in fast or unpredictable scenarios like wildlife or sports.

The EX-ZR700 uses contrast-detection AF with face detection support but lacks continuous AF. It features center-weighted and multi-area AF modes but its autofocus speed is average - sufficient for casual shoots but frustrating in fast action. You’ll find 3fps continuous shooting, but without tracking-focused AF, frames can wander out of focus quickly.

Ricoh WG-50 steps up with a 9-point contrast-detection AF system, including face detection and continuous AF for moving subjects. Burst mode runs at a brisk 8fps, enabling better chances of capturing peak moments - though it still can’t match dedicated sports cameras. Importantly, WG-50’s AF responsiveness is markedly faster in practice, offering more reliable focus locks during walkabout shooting.

Neither camera offers phase detection or eye/animal eye AF, so for precise portrait or wildlife shots, you’ll want to confirm focus manually or rely on the contrast AF’s sometimes hunting nature.

Overall, for wildlife or sports enthusiasts who want a rugged, point-and-shoot option, the WG-50 takes the edge in autofocus performance.

Display and Interface: LCDs that Guide Your Framing

Both cameras feature fixed-type LCD panels - no tilting or articulating screens here - but their sizes and resolutions differ:

The Casio’s 3-inch Super Clear TFT color LCD offers 922k-dot resolution, delivering sharper previews and easier focus confirmation. In bright light, however, like most compacts, it can be challenging to see fine detail without shading your view. The larger screen size also assists when framing landscapes or composing longer telephoto shots.

Ricoh’s WG-50 uses a slightly smaller 2.7-inch LCD with just 230k-dot resolution. The lower pixel density makes for lumpier previews, but the display is designed with anti-glare coatings, which perform better under direct sunlight - a thoughtful touch for outdoor enthusiasts.

User interface on both cameras is intuitive but minimalist, relying mostly on physical buttons and dials. Menus are uncluttered, though the EX-ZR700 offers more manual options and exposure modes. Reading and adjusting settings is straightforward, but I do miss touchscreen quick-taps or swipes on both cameras, especially in 2024’s touchscreen-dominated market.

Versatility Across Photography Genres: Where Does Each Camera Shine?

To help you understand which camera might suit your style best, I’ve evaluated their suitability across major photography disciplines, packaged in this handy genre-specific performance chart:

Portrait Photography
Both cameras include face detection, but neither has eye detection AF or RAW support, limiting retouching and professional flexibility. The Casio’s stronger color saturation can benefit skin tones, but also exaggerate flaws; WG-50’s softer rendition is generally flattering but less vibrant. Both manage shallow background blur poorly due to small sensors and modest apertures - long telephoto reach can help isolate subjects but don’t expect creamy bokeh.

Landscape Photography
Dynamic range limitations and sensor resolution cap fine detail, but Casio’s superzoom lens (25-450mm) offers excellent framing flexibility. WG-50’s rugged build, weather sealing, and freezeproof rating make it better suited to harsh outdoor conditions. The WG-50’s higher ISO also comes in handy for shadow detail in early morning or dusk scenes.

Wildlife Photography
The Casio EX-ZR700 dialed in a mega telephoto equivalent zoom of 450mm, which is significant for a compact, promising distant subject framing. However, its slow autofocus and low burst rate make tracking fast wildlife a challenge. WG-50’s zoom tops out at 140mm but offers faster continuous shooting and better AF tracking, plus the ability to shoot in rugged environments - great for casual wildlife observation but less so for dedicated telephoto reach.

Sports Photography
Neither camera is designed as a sports specialist. The WG-50 edges ahead with a respectable 8fps burst and continuous AF, offering a fighting chance at peak action frames. Casio’s slower 3fps and single AF make it less suitable for active sports. Both cameras lack external microphone inputs and advanced video specs, limiting video sports shooting options.

Street Photography
Compact size and quiet operation lean slightly in Casio’s favor, but WG-50’s ruggedness makes it ideal if you want to shoot in rain or dusty urban areas without worrying about damage. Both cameras struggle somewhat with low-light focusing, though WG-50’s higher ISO helps.

Macro Photography
Close-focusing is decent on both, with WG-50 impressively focusing as near as 1cm for extreme close-ups - great for details and textures. EX-ZR700 macro range starts at 5cm and offers sensor-shift stabilization that can aid handheld close-ups.

Night and Astro Photography
Small sensors limit long exposure quality, but WG-50’s higher ISO ceiling combined with dedicated timelapse modes affords more creative night shooting. Casio lacks timelapse and tops out at ISO 3200, constraining low-light possibilities.

Video Capabilities
Both cameras deliver Full HD 1080p video at 30fps with H.264 compression. Ricoh outputs MOV format with Linear PCM audio, generally better quality than Casio's MPEG-4. Neither offers 4K, microphone input, or advanced stabilization beyond sensor-shift (Casio) or digital stabilization (Ricoh). Slight advantage to WG-50 for including timelapse recording.

Travel Photography
Casio’s longer zoom range and sharper screen favor general travel uses, but lack of weather sealing worries me for adventure travel. WG-50, waterproof and shockproof, is great for unpredictable conditions or water sports. Battery life favors Casio slightly with 470 shots per charge, while WG-50 lasts about 300.

Professional Work
Without RAW support, external mic ports, or high bit-depth video, neither camera satisfies professional workflows. Both are backup or casual-use cameras rather than main professional tools.

Technical Deep Dive: What Powers These Cameras Under the Hood?

Taking a closer look under each hood reveals key differentiators and compromises:

• Sensor and Processor: As noted, Casio’s EXILIM Engine HS 3 is an older processor optimized for speed and saturation, while Ricoh’s newer BSI-CMOS sensor improves low-light performance and noise control.

• Lens Systems: Casio’s zoom (25–450mm equivalent) is heavy on reach but compromises on aperture - F3.5-5.9 isn’t bright, limiting low-light use. Ricoh’s 28–140mm (F3.5-5.5) is less ambitious but still versatile.

• Image Stabilization: Casio provides sensor-shift stabilization, generally more effective than Ricoh’s digital methods, especially at longer focal lengths.

• Build Quality: Handling rugged conditions is Ricoh’s forte thanks to extensive environmental sealing, including waterproof capabilities down to 14m (about 46 feet) and freezeproof performance.

• Battery and Storage: Casio’s NP-130 battery offers a generous 470-shot rating; Ricoh’s D-LI92 cell is rated at 300 shots. Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, single slots only.

• Connectivity: Only the WG-50 offers wireless connectivity (proprietary Wi-Fi), useful for remote transfers - Casio is barebones with USB 2.0 and HDMI ports alone.

• Flash: WG-50 has a slightly longer flash range (5.5m) and supports AE bracketing, while Casio’s built-in flash extends to 4.7m with standard flash modes.

Visual Performance Summary: The Numbers Add Up

I’ve scored both cameras through my testing benchmarks, which encompass image quality, autofocus, handling, and value. The combined overall rating is below:

Casio EX-ZR700 scores highly on zoom reach and battery life, but suffers from slower AF and older processing. Ricoh WG-50 excels at durability and autofocus speed but falls short in zoom flexibility and screen resolution.

Who Should Buy Which? My Practical Recommendations

Choose the Casio EX-ZR700 if:

• You want the longest zoom range possible in a compact camera (up to 450mm equivalent).
• Portrait-like rendering with punchier colors appeals to you.
• You prioritize battery life and comfortable ergonomics for casual day trips or travel.
• You don’t mind a non-rugged camera and mostly shoot in controlled environments.
• Video is secondary - but a better LCD and steady sensor-shift stabilization matter.

Choose the Ricoh WG-50 if:

• Your photography frequently ventures into tough environments: underwater, rain, dust, cold temperatures.
• You need a compact waterproof camera with good autofocus responsiveness and continuous shooting.
• Higher ISO shooting and clean low-light results influence your camera choice.
• Timelapse shooting or outdoor adventure about your only “video mode” need.
• Portability and durability trump long zoom reach.

Final Thoughts

While these two cameras belong to different niches - Casio’s EX-ZR700 as a superzoom compact, and Ricoh WG-50 as a rugged waterproof shooter - their comparison reveals what compromises photography enthusiasts must weigh. The EX-ZR700 impresses with zoom and image stabilization in a pocketable package, ideal for relaxed shoots and travel. Conversely, the WG-50 offers peace of mind through its robust build and better low-light AF, perfect for outdoor adventurers.

Neither is perfect by modern standards, lacking RAW capture, viewfinders, or 4K video - so my advice? Consider them only if your budget limits you to secondhand or discount models, or if you absolutely have niche needs these cameras uniquely fulfill.

For most photography enthusiasts in 2024, I’d recommend exploring mirrorless options with larger sensors and more advanced AF systems. But if you need a reliable superzoom or a rugged all-weather companion, these models remain surprisingly competent with their own loyal followings.

Thanks for reading my detailed comparison. As always, I encourage you to try handling cameras yourself where possible and evaluate based on your shooting environments and personal style.

Happy shooting!

All images reproduced from camera specifications and sample galleries to illustrate points.