A Tale of Two Cameras: Fujifilm S1 Pro vs. Ricoh WG-4 – An Expert Comparative Review

When you pull these two cameras off the shelf, you’re essentially looking at two very different photographic philosophies separated by over a decade of technological evolution - and quite a disparity in target audiences. The Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro, announced in 2000, was designed as a professional-grade DSLR responding to the dawn of digital SLRs, while the Ricoh WG-4, released in 2014, is a rugged, compact waterproof aimed at adventurous enthusiasts who demand durability and convenience.

Drawing from my extensive experience testing hundreds of cameras across genres and environments, this article dives deep into the practical strengths, limitations, and suitability of these two models. Whether you’re a collector curious about legacy gear or a shooter balancing durability against image quality, I’ve got you covered.

Getting to Grips: Size and Ergonomics

One of the first things you notice is the considerable physical difference between these two tools. The Fujifilm S1 Pro presents the classic heft and gravitas of an early 2000s DSLR - bulky, angular, and purpose-built with a large pentaprism viewfinder housing and solid handgrip. The Ricoh WG-4, in stark contrast, is a compact, boxy powerhouse designed expressly for rugged use in minimalistic fashion.

Ergonomics insight: The S1 Pro’s size demands two-handed operation and feels substantial when mounted with lenses. Its large controls and traditional DSLR body allow for quick manual adjustments, a boon for photographers habituated to dedicated dials and buttons.

The WG-4's compact body fits neatly in one hand, which is a blessing for street and travel photography. The rubberized skin and sealed construction don’t just protect - they ensure confident grip even in wet or cold conditions.

In a hands-on test, the S1 Pro sometimes felt cumbersome for fast-moving subjects or travel, where compactness and light weight help, but its tactile physical controls give it an edge for deliberate shooting. Conversely, WG-4’s smaller size pays dividends for portability, but the smaller buttons can be fiddly in gloves or rough environments.

Layout and Control Philosophy: Old School vs. Practical Compactness

Beyond just size, the way these cameras present controls reflects their eras and intended users.

The Fujifilm S1 Pro has a dedicated top control panel with shutter speed and exposure compensation dials, illustrating its DSLR heritage and commitment to manual exposure. The shutter speed dial (maxing at 1/2000s) and aperture priority mode are prominent, giving the photographer significant creative control.

The Ricoh WG-4 replaces these with a more streamlined mode dial featuring presets (e.g., macro, scene modes) and a few customizable buttons. The lack of shutter priority or manual exposure mode signifies its emphasis on ease and versatility rather than manual mastery.

Our lab testing revealed that while manual controls accelerate operation for advanced users, beginners and casual shooters appreciate the WG-4’s simplicity. However, for some professionals accustomed to dedicated buttons, the WG-4 can feel limiting.

Seeing the Difference: Sensor Size and Image Quality Fundamentals

At the heart of any camera is its sensor, and this is where the two diverge drastically.

Fujifilm S1 Pro:

• Sensor: APS-C sized (23 x 15.5 mm), CCD
• Resolution: 3 megapixels (3040 x 2016)
• ISO range: 320 to 1600 native
• Anti-aliasing filter: Yes

Ricoh WG-4:

• Sensor: 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS (6.17 x 4.55 mm)
• Resolution: 16 megapixels (4608 x 3456)
• ISO range: 125 to 6400 native
• Anti-aliasing filter: Yes

From a technical standpoint, the S1 Pro’s APS-C sensor is roughly 12.7 times larger in surface area than the WG-4’s 1/2.3" sensor. This size advantage shapes dynamic range, low-light capability, and depth of field control.

The S1 Pro’s CCD sensor delivers natural color rendition and pleasing tonal gradation. However, its 3MP resolution feels archaic today, best suited for prints up to 8x10 inches or small web use. The WG-4’s 16MP offers more cropping flexibility and punchier resolution for modern print sizes but is hampered by a small sensor, limiting dynamic range and generating noise at higher ISOs.

In real-world shoots: The S1 Pro excels in controlled lighting, capturing smooth skin tones and punchy colors - perfect for portraits and studio work where image quality trumps megapixels. The WG-4’s sensor, though smaller, benefits from BSI technology improving high ISO performance and works well in daylight and increasingly challenging conditions, but noise and limited dynamic range make it less suitable for critical landscape or studio photography.

The Viewfinder and Screen Experience: How We Frame the Shot

Working with these cameras is very different when it comes to composing and reviewing images.

The S1 Pro offers a 2-inch fixed LCD with 200k pixels - usable for image review but not much by today’s standards. Crucially, it features an optical pentaprism viewfinder with approximately 90% coverage, allowing traditional DSLR framing with natural optical feedback but with no electronic overlays or live histogram.

The WG-4 has no viewfinder but boasts a 3-inch fixed TFT LCD with 460k pixels, providing a brighter, sharper, and larger screen ideal for composing shots in the field under varying light conditions.

My take: While purists might prefer the optical viewfinder for accurate focus confirmation and reduced lag, many photographers now gravitate toward large LCDs for framing. The WG-4’s screen is excellent for outdoor shooting, especially given the lack of viewfinder, whereas the S1 Pro’s small screen might leave you yearning for more feedback during playback.

The absence of touchscreen and live view on the S1 Pro is understandable given its age, but the WG-4’s live view system with face detection and contrast-detection AF offers a modern, user-friendly experience.

Autofocus and Performance: From Manual Precision to Intelligent Tracking

The Fujifilm S1 Pro’s autofocus relies on phase-detection with multi-area AF and selective point selection but predates face or eye tracking technologies. Its focus system can be sluggish by today’s standards and requires patience and practice for precision.

The WG-4’s autofocus leverages contrast-detection with face detection and AF tracking across nine AF points. It also incorporates macro-focusing down to 1cm and has sensor-shift image stabilization, beneficial for close-up work and handheld shooting in variable conditions.

The continuous shooting speed is identical at 2 fps for both cameras, though neither is designed for high-speed bursts. For wildlife or sports, neither is optimal by today’s standards, but the WG-4’s tracking autofocus offers a slight edge in casual action shooting.

Lens Ecosystem and Optical Versatility

The Fujifilm S1 Pro’s use of the Nikon F mount opens doors to an expansive ecosystem of over 300 lenses, including top-tier professional glass - primes, zooms, macros, and specialty optics. This breadth lets photographers tailor the setup precisely to their discipline, whether portrait, landscape, or sports.

Fujifilm S1 Pro screen back Ricoh WG 4 front Ricoh WG 4 screen back

The WG-4, meanwhile, is a fixed-lens compact with a 25-100mm (35mm equivalent) 4× zoom and a bright maximum aperture range of f/2.0–4.9. It boasts a super-macro ability to focus as close as 1 cm and includes sensor-shift image stabilization.

While the WG-4 excels in versatility and portability, its fixed zoom limits creative lens swapping. The S1 Pro’s versatility in optics is its undisputed strength but requires additional investment and bulk.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Ruggedness Meets Classic Construction

Durability is a stark point of divergence.

The S1 Pro is built on a large SLR body that is robust but without weather sealing, dustproofing, or shockproofing to modern standards.

The WG-4, in contrast, sets its building foundation on waterproofing (up to 14m), shockproofing (2m drop resistance), freezeproofing (down to -10°C), and crushproofing (up to 100kgf pressure). This makes it an ideal companion for adventure, underwater, and extreme travel photography.

If you prioritize durability in challenging environments, the WG-4 is a no-brainer. The S1 Pro, meanwhile, suits controlled or studio environments best.

Battery and Storage: Powering Through the Day

The S1 Pro runs on 4 x AA batteries, common at the time but less convenient now; AA cells can be convenient globally but offer limited shooting longevity. Storage options include SmartMedia and CompactFlash cards, now obsolete formats.

The WG-4 uses a proprietary rechargeable D-LI92 lithium-ion battery pack with approximately 240 shots per charge under CIPA testing - modest but standard for rugged compacts. It accepts SD/SDHC/SDXC cards - current, mainstream storage.

In practice, the WG-4’s dedicated rechargeable battery and modern storage formats make for a more efficient workflow and easier maintenance in the field.

Image Stabilization and Video Capabilities

The Fujifilm S1 Pro lacks any image stabilization, so stabilization relies entirely on lenses or technique. Video capabilities are nonexistent, consistent with the early 2000s DSLR era.

The WG-4 features sensor-shift stabilization, useful for handheld macro and telephoto shots, especially in low light or moving conditions.

Video-wise, the WG-4 supports Full HD 1080p at 30fps and 720p at 60fps, with H.264 compression - a considerable advantage, enabling multimedia use though with consumer-grade audio capture only.

Connectivity and Modern Conveniences

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, or NFC for image transfer or remote control. The S1 Pro’s USB interface is version 1.0, painfully slow by today’s standards, while the WG-4 upgrades to USB 2.0 and includes HDMI output for easy playback on TVs.

From a workflow standpoint, the WG-4 corresponds better to modern expectations, though neither stacks up against current mirrorless cameras with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

Genre-Specific Performance: Where Each Camera Excels

Let’s break down performance for major photographic disciplines:

Portrait Photography

• Fujifilm S1 Pro leads in skin tone rendition thanks to CCD color science and large sensor. The Nikon F mount allows premium portrait primes producing beautiful bokeh. Lack of face or eye-AF reduces ease for fast work.
• Ricoh WG-4 has face detection AF aiding focus but smaller sensor limits dynamic range and bokeh. Good for casual portraits.

Landscape Photography

• S1 Pro’s APS-C sensor and 3MP limit final image size and detail resolution but solid noise performance and color depth for prints up to moderate sizes. No weather sealing limits outdoor ruggedness.
• WG-4, though weather-sealed, suffers from small sensor noise and dynamic range that weakens high-contrast landscape captures.

Wildlife Photography

• Neither excel; the S1 Pro’s slow 2fps and lack of tracking AF limit usability.
• WG-4’s tracking AF and ruggedness help casual field use but limited zoom range constrains distant wildlife capture.

Sports Photography

• Both fall short with low burst rates. S1 Pro’s phase detect AF gives slight precision edge but overall older tech.
• WG-4 suitable only for casual sports due to autofocus tracking and portability.

Street Photography

• WG-4’s compactness, quiet operation, and ruggedness make it ideal.
• S1 Pro’s bulk and shutter sound make it obtrusive for candid shots.

Macro Photography

• WG-4 shines with 1cm macro focus and image stabilization, great for quick handheld close-ups.
• S1 Pro depends on specialized Nikon macro lenses but no stabilization.

Night/Astro Photography

• S1 Pro’s larger sensor and ISO 320-1600 range provide cleaner results under longer exposures.
• WG-4’s higher ISO capability up to 6400 is appealing but smaller sensor introduces noise; stabilization helps handheld night shots.

Video

• WG-4 is the clear winner with Full HD capture and 60p slow motion mode; S1 Pro has no video.

Travel Photography

• WG-4’s waterproofing, light weight, and compact size promote versatility.
• S1 Pro’s bulk and fragility severely limit portability.

Professional Use

• S1 Pro’s RAW shooting, interchangeable lenses, and manual controls remain valuable for collectors or nostalgic use but have been eclipsed by modern DSLRs.
• WG-4 is a consumer-grade rugged compact, suitable for casual professional fieldwork where rough handling is expected but quality sacrifices are accepted.

Overall Performance Ratings: Numbers Don’t Lie

When evaluated objectively on image quality, handling, features, and versatility, the Fujifilm S1 Pro scores highly in image quality and creative control for its time but lacks modern conveniences. The Ricoh WG-4 delivers value through ruggedness, ease of use, and decent all-around imaging in a compact package, though quality is limited by sensor size.

Summing Up: Which Camera Fits Your Vision?

The choice boils down to your shooting style, expectations, and context.

• Choose the Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro if:
  You’re drawn to classic DSLR manual controls, want an APS-C sensor with Nikon F lens compatibility, prioritize image quality for portrait or controlled studio work, and don’t mind the bulk or obsolete features. It’s a collector’s piece and a capable camera for niche artistic projects requiring CCD color signatures and deliberate shooting.

• Choose the Ricoh WG-4 if:
  You favor portability, ruggedness, and versatility in challenging environments. It’s perfect for travel enthusiasts, adventure photographers, and casual shooters who need a resilient camera with competent autofocus, close-up capabilities, and video recording. Don’t expect DSLR-level image quality, but appreciate the convenience.

Final Thoughts: Photography’s Evolving Tools, Each a Dog with Their Own Tricks

The Fujifilm S1 Pro and Ricoh WG-4 stand as representative specimens of DSLR evolution and rugged compact synthesis respectively. They reveal what technology prioritized in different eras - image quality and manual control versus versatility and durability.

If we were to rope in a pithy metaphor: the Fujifilm S1 Pro is the classic working dog - steady, reliable, and requiring a skilled handler. The Ricoh WG-4 is the spirited adventure dog - ready for mud and river crossings but sometimes barking up the wrong quality tree.

Thanks for reading this in-depth comparative review. I hope these insights help steer your next camera choice, whether vintage or modern rugged. Happy shooting!