Casio EX-ZR800 vs Ricoh WG-30W: A Hands-On, Expert Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing the right camera is critical whether you’re a casual shooter or a seasoned photographer scouting a versatile companion. Today, we’re diving deep into two compact cameras that belong to distinct niches but often come up as options for on-the-go photography: the Casio EX-ZR800 and the Ricoh WG-30W. Both were launched in the mid-2010s and target enthusiasts valuing portability - but their differing strengths mean they serve very different shooting styles and environments.

Having personally tested thousands of cameras over the past 15+ years, I’ll guide you through a thorough comparison based on sensor performance, handling, autofocus behavior, and real-world shooting across photography disciplines - including portrait, landscape, wildlife, sports, street, macro, night, video, and travel. I’ll also weigh in on battery life, connectivity, durability, and value, plus weave in unique insights gained from side-by-side tests. Whether you’re an outdoor adventurer, urban explorer, or casual snapper, this comparison will help you decide which is the better match for your needs.

First Look: Size, Handling & Build Quality

I always start evaluating cameras by physically handling them, as ergonomics can make or break comfort in extended use. Slim, compact cameras like the EX-ZR800 and WG-30W promise portability, but their design choices target very different shooting scenarios.

• Casio EX-ZR800: At 108x60x31 mm and 222g, this camera boasts a sleek, modern compact body. It falls comfortably in my hand with a solid grip, despite the small form factor. The 3-inch bright, fixed Super Clear TFT LCD feels sufficiently responsive and makes framing a breeze in daylight. Though it lacks a viewfinder, the clean and simple body styling manifests thoughtful control placement for enthusiasts who appreciate manual exposure tweaks, aperture priority, and shutter priority modes. There’s a slight bulk from the extended 18x zoom lens, but it stays relatively pocketable.

• Ricoh WG-30W: Marginally larger at 123x62x30 mm but lighter at 194g, this ruggedized compact screams “adventure-ready.” Its tough exterior is shockproof, crushproof, waterproof, and freezeproof - rare traits at this price point. The smaller 2.7-inch low-res 230k-dot screen is less vibrant than Casio’s but benefits from simplicity and durability under harsh conditions. The grip feels less refined, influenced by the protective rubberized armor, and the lens’s 5x zoom is noticeably shorter. Controls are straightforward but limited - manual exposure modes are absent, and button feedback is utilitarian.

Build Quality & Weather Resistance Summary:

• EX-ZR800: Stylish, lightweight, great ergonomics, but no environmental sealing.
• WG-30W: Built like a tank, fully waterproof to 10 meters, shock- and crush-resistant, ideal for rugged outdoor scenarios.

If your photography involves rough weather or action sports, WG-30W’s durability is unmatched; for general day-to-day use, the EX-ZR800 feels more comfortable for deliberate shooting.

Sensor and Image Quality Deep Dive

Image quality hinges primarily on sensor performance, lens construction, and processing engine efficiency. Both cameras share a 1/2.3-inch 16MP CMOS sensor - a common small sensor size that balances compactness against resolution, but imposes limits on dynamic range and high ISO noise.

• Casio EX-ZR800 uses the EXILIM Engine HS 3 processor, which provides fast image handling and noise reduction. Maximum ISO is 3200, with a minimum of 80. It incorporates sensor-shift stabilization, helping maintain sharpness during telephoto zooms or low-light handholding.

• Ricoh WG-30W supports a higher ISO ceiling at 6400 but has a lower base ISO of 125. Its image stabilization is digital, which is less effective in preventing motion blur but helps reduce shake to an extent. DSLR-level noise reduction is absent, so images can look grainier at higher ISO.

Real-World Image Quality Insight

I tested both cameras in varied lighting. In bright daylight landscapes and portraits, the EX-ZR800’s images exhibit crisp details and pleasing colors, partly thanks to better stabilization and aggressive noise management. When pixel-peeping portraits, face detection performed reliably, and the lens - despite a narrower 18x zoom range versus WG-30W – delivered relatively sharp images throughout the range.

The WG-30W showed respectable results outdoors, but fine details soften at ISO 800 and beyond due to sensor limitations and digital stabilization trade-offs. Notably, it performs better in macro tasks with a close focusing distance of just 1 cm, allowing for impressive close-ups in rugged environments.

Crop sensor cameras of this size rarely match larger APS-C or full-frame models in tone and sharpness, but still deliver usable files for social sharing and casual prints.

LCD Display and Interface: Your Window to Composition

Monitors can be an underrated factor for satisfaction during shooting.

• Casio EX-ZR800’s 3-inch 922k-dot screen is bright with great viewing angles and color accuracy, which I found very helpful in framing and reviewing images on sunny days. The interface balances direct access buttons with menu-based options, providing manual exposure control without overwhelming beginners.

• Ricoh WG-30W’s 2.7-inch 230k-dot screen feels cramped and dimmer, limiting visibility in bright outdoor conditions. The simpler UI reflects its rugged use case but restricts creative settings and direct manual control.

For photographers who view composition as a core part of image-making, Casio’s screen makes life easier. Rugged adventurers willing to trade screen quality for durability will find the WG-30W satisfactory.

Zoom Range, Lens Quality & Focusing

Lens versatility is critical for differing subjects.

• Casio EX-ZR800 possesses an 18x optical zoom (25-450 mm equivalent), allowing extensive telephoto reach, great for wildlife or sports when extending focal length is crucial. Maximum aperture ranges from f/3.5 wide to f/5.9 tele, a fairly standard speed given this zoom. The lens exhibits mild distortion at extremes but generally delivers sharpness across focal lengths with minimal chromatic aberrations.

• Ricoh WG-30W features a 5x zoom (28-140 mm equivalent) with f/3.5-5.5 aperture. While limited compared to Casio’s longer reach, the lens’ wider end starts slightly further back, which may impact wide landscape shots. However, the shorter telephoto is compensated by the camera’s superior macro ability.

Autofocus systems differ markedly:

• EX-ZR800 supports contrast detection AF with face detection and basic AF tracking but lacks continuous AF or advanced subject tracking found in cameras today. Focus speed is decent for daylight but slower in low light.

• WG-30W includes a more evolved AF system with 9 focus points, face detection, basic tracking, and continuous AF modes, adapted to fast action in challenging conditions. From hands-on tests, WG-30W’s AF felt more reliable for keeping moving subjects sharp in outdoor daylight, partly due to the shorter zoom range and rugged design focus.

Photography Genre Performance Breakdown

Every camera excels in certain photography types. Let’s explore how these two match up across key genres.

Casio EX ZR800 front Casio EX ZR800 screen back Ricoh WG 30W front Ricoh WG 30W screen back

Portrait Photography

EX-ZR800 edges out here with better manual exposure control (shutter/aperture priority), useful face detection, and pleasing bokeh from its longer zoom. The sensor-shift stabilization aids steadier shots at tele distances. Skin tones come out natural under good light, though low light softness occurs.

WG-30W’s macro strength aids extreme close-ups but struggles with soft, creamy background blur due to shorter zoom and smaller aperture range. Face detection works well under bright conditions but limited exposure controls restrict creative portraiture.

Landscape Photography

Casio’s long 18x zoom helps isolate distant details, and its higher screen resolution aids composition. However, lack of weather sealing may deter serious landscape shooters. The sensor and processor combination deliver good dynamic range in daylight, but shadows can be noisy at higher ISO.

Ricoh’s weather sealing, waterproof and shockproof body shines outdoors, making it ideal for rugged landscapes or hikes involving harsh elements. Lower resolution screen and shorter zoom limit framing options, but exposure reliability is solid.

Wildlife & Sports

The EX-ZR800’s longer zoom (450 mm equivalent) gives it a clear advantage for wildlife. However, continuous autofocus absence and slower burst rate (3 fps) hampers capturing fast action. WG-30W’s rugged design, faster shutter speeds (up to 1/4000s), and continuous AF suit sports and action better, but limited zoom restricts reach.

Street Photography

Neither camera is classically designed for street photographers but:

• EX-ZR800 is more discreet due to smaller size and quieter controls.
• WG-30W is bulkier with pronounced grip but can handle sudden weather changes.

Low-light street photography is challenging on both due to sensor size, but Casio’s better screen helps.

Macro Photography

Ricoh WG-30W’s 1 cm minimum focus distance outperforms the Casio’s 4 cm. This lets you capture fine details of flowers, insects, and textures with compelling sharpness. Sensor-shift stabilization on Casio helps handheld macros, but macro lovers will appreciate WG-30’s flexibility.

Night & Astro Photography

Small sensors limit both cameras in very low light and astrophotography, but:

• EX-ZR800’s max ISO 3200 with sensor-shift stabilization provides better handheld night shots.
• WG-30W’s digital stabilization and max ISO 6400 allow more ISO headroom but with visible noise pollution.

Neither supports long-exposure RAW capture, so astrophotography enthusiasts should look elsewhere.

Video: Does Either Camera Go Beyond Still Images?

Video is often overlooked but important to locals and travelers.

• EX-ZR800 shoots up to Full HD 1080p at 30fps with the ability for very slow-motion captures due to various slow frame rates (down to 224 x 64 at 1000fps). Manual exposure during video is limited, and no microphone port restricts audio specialization.

• WG-30W matches 1080p30 but simplifies slow motion with 720p as highest slow-motion option. Stabilization is digital, effective mainly on static shots. No external mic or headphones.

Neither camera is suited to high-end videography but fine for casual video diary or travel clips.

Battery Life, Connectivity, and Storage

Long shooting sessions are typical in travel and professional scenarios, so these specs matter.

• Casio EX-ZR800 offers a solid battery life rated at 470 shots per charge with a proprietary NP-130 battery. Lacks wireless connectivity, which limits easy photo sharing but includes USB 2.0 and HDMI out.

• Ricoh WG-30W has shorter rated battery life (~300 shots) using its D-LI92 battery. Notably, it features built-in Wi-Fi for image transfer, plus USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs, providing better modern connectivity for instant sharing in the field.

Both cameras accept SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards with single storage slots.

Summary of Key Strengths and Limitations

Who Should Buy Each Camera?

Choose the Casio EX-ZR800 if you…

• Want a long optical zoom for wildlife or sports in good weather
• Prioritize manual exposure control and versatile shooting modes
• Prefer a large, sharp LCD for framing and reviewing photos
• Shoot mostly in controlled environments or casual outdoor settings
• Need longer battery life and stable images from sensor-shift stabilization

Opt for the Ricoh WG-30W if you…

• Need a durable camera built for tough environments - waterproof, shockproof, crushproof, freezeproof
• Are an adventure photographer who prioritizes ruggedness over zoom reach
• Value macro capabilities and quick autofocus in tricky conditions
• Want wireless connectivity and easy sharing in the field
• Accept a smaller zoom range and less refined controls for peace of mind durability

Final Thoughts: Experience Matters

Both the Casio EX-ZR800 and Ricoh WG-30W carve out distinctive roles in compact camera history - it’s less about which is universally “better” and more about what fits your shooting vibe.

Having tested each in multiple real-world situations - urban streets, rugged trails, close-up florals, and casual portraits - the Casio stood out for intentional photography with more flexibility, while the Ricoh was a reliable workhorse for challenging outdoor conditions.

If you want a camera that puts a premium on image quality, manual control, and superior zoom, the EX-ZR800 is a competent choice assuming you won’t expose it to harsh elements. Conversely, for those who demand resilience to the elements and straightforward macro action, the WG-30W’s toughness and Wi-Fi sharing won’t disappoint.

Bonus: Side-By-Side Comparison Gallery

Here’s a sample gallery from both cameras across varied settings - comparing color rendition, detail, and handling characteristics side-by-side.

Casio EX ZR800 front Casio EX ZR800 screen back Ricoh WG 30W front Ricoh WG 30W screen back

To summarize visually:

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If You Found This Helpful…

Choosing a camera isn’t just about specs - my advice is always to handle gear in person if possible, think about your shooting conditions, and decide which features will enhance your vision without compromising comfort.

Both these cameras bring unique strengths to niche buyers. By reading my experience-driven comparison, hopefully you’ll feel confident in choosing the right tool to unlock your creativity.

Thanks for joining me for this comparison. I’ll be back with more hands-on reviews grounded in years of field testing and technical analysis. Happy shooting!

If you have questions about these models or want personalized recommendations, please reach out - I’m here to help photographers like you make smarter, more informed choices.