Fujifilm XP70 vs Ricoh WG-20: The Ultimate Waterproof Compact Camera Showdown

When it comes to rugged, waterproof compacts, choices aren’t always straightforward. Two stalwarts from early 2014 still often pop up for consideration among enthusiasts looking for a durable travel companion or a go-anywhere point-and-shoot are the Fujifilm FinePix XP70 and the Ricoh WG-20. Both promise the basics: waterproofing, shock resistance, easy handling - but behind those similar hulks lie differences that matter depending on your photography style, priorities, or budget.

Having spent years testing rugged cameras under various real-world conditions - from sunny beach vacations to rainy mountain treks - I’ve handled both these models extensively. Today, I’ll take you through an in-depth, hands-on comparison to help you decide which waterproof compact deserves a spot in your kit (or glovebox).

Let’s dive in.

How Big Is Big? Handling and Ergonomics Up Close

Camera size and feel are often underestimated, yet they greatly impact your shooting comfort and portability. Here’s where the Fuji XP70 and Ricoh WG-20 start to diverge.

The Fujifilm XP70 measures a compact 104 x 67 x 26 mm and weighs a mere 179 grams, while the Ricoh WG-20 is a bit longer and slightly thicker at 114 x 58 x 28 mm, but lighter, tipping the scales at 164 grams. Physically, Fuji’s model offers a curvier grip that's friendlier for extended handheld use - especially in wet or rugged environments. Ricoh’s narrower frame makes it easy to slip in tighter pockets but feels just a touch less substantial.

Ergonomically, my personal preference leans toward the XP70. The plastic textured finish and somewhat more pronounced thumb rest give better grip, which is a blessing when you have wet or gloved hands. The WG-20 is no slouch, but the thinner body and flatter grip mean you’ll have to pay more attention to your hold to prevent slips.

If you often shoot outdoors in dynamic environments or prefer a camera you can firmly control in all conditions, Fujifilm gets my nod here.

Top View and Control Layout: Quick Access in the Field

In fast-paced shooting scenarios, control placement is critical. Both cameras eschew complexity in favor of rugged simplicity, but their layout philosophies show.

The Fujifilm XP70 goes for a clean top deck with a tactile zoom lever and shutter release sitting comfortably under your index finger, accompanied by a dedicated power button. It’s intuitive, allowing one-handed operation - ideal if you’re hiking or quick-drawing the camera underwater.

By contrast, the Ricoh WG-20 features a similar power and shutter arrangement, but the zoom lever feels a tad stiffer, and the mode dial near the shutter is less responsive especially when wet. The WG-20 impresses by placing a dedicated timelapse button on the top - hinting at its modest video ambitions and time-lapse photography support, whereas the Fuji omits this.

Neither camera sports a touchscreen, so button quality is vital, and Fuji’s buttons have a quieter, more confident click, which feels better in low-light or underwater when relying solely on tactile feedback.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

If you’re chasing better image quality or low-light performance, you can’t overlook sensor specs.

Both cameras rely on a 1/2.3-inch sensor, a common size in compacts but modest by today’s mirrorless standards. However, the Fujifilm XP70 sports a 16MP CMOS sensor, while the Ricoh WG-20 uses a 14MP CCD sensor.

From my testing, the CMOS in the XP70 provides better noise control and sharper images in daylight. It also offers faster sensor readout, contributing to snappier response and slightly improved burst shooting capability. Meanwhile, the CCD sensor in the WG-20 tends to have a more vibrant but less clean image output. At base ISO (100 for Fuji, 80 for Ricoh), both deliver decent image quality, but when you nudge ISO higher (like 800 or above), Fuji’s CMOS sensor maintains usable detail longer with less noise.

Neither supports RAW shooting, which limits post-processing flexibility if you’re serious about quality - which is a small disappointment but expected given their price points.

In sum: When image quality under challenging conditions is your priority, the Fujifilm XP70 edges ahead.

LCD Screen and User Interface: Clarity and Usability

A camera's screen is your direct window in the wild.

Both cameras have 2.7-inch fixed LCD panels, but a notable difference lies in resolution: XP70 boasts 460k dots, while WG-20 offers just 230k dots. The Fuji display is visibly crisper and brighter even under bright sunlight; the Ricoh struggles with reflections, making composition and review tricky outdoors.

Neither has a touchscreen, which is understandable at this price, but menu navigation on the Fujifilm is subtly more intuitive with quicker response times. I found the WG-20’s menus a bit clunky and lagging, especially when changing settings rapidly between shots.

For backcountry or travel photographers who need quick access and clear framing, the XP70 offers a more user-friendly display.

Shooting Performance in Real Use Cases

With basics covered, let's dig into discipline-specific performance since waterproof compacts attract all manner of adventurous shooters.

Portrait Photography: Handling Skin Tones and Bokeh

Portraits are tricky on small sensors and limited apertures.

The XP70’s lens ranges from f/3.9 to f/4.9, and Fujifilm leverages subtle face detection autofocus to help nail focus on your subject's eyes - a useful feature. Images show natural skin tones with pleasant warmth, although the fixed lens and smaller sensor limit shallow depth-of-field effect, so you won’t get creamy bokeh.

The Ricoh WG-20’s lens is a bit faster at f/3.5-5.5 on the wide end and supports custom white balance, making it easier to achieve accurate skin tones under various lighting. However, its autofocus points are fewer and less reliable for eye tracking, occasionally hunting or overshooting focus.

In my experience, if portrait shooting under casual settings is in your plan, Fujifilm’s better face detection AF and slightly warmer color rendition give it a mild advantage.

Landscape Photography: Resolution and Environmental Toughness

Waterproof cameras often double as rugged landscape shooters.

Both cameras’ sensor resolutions and lens focal lengths match nicely for capturing wide vistas at 28mm equivalent. The XP70’s higher resolution of 16MP offers more image detail and larger print potential compared to Ricoh’s 14MP. The Fujifilm’s better dynamic range helps retain highlight and shadow details in bright scenes.

Additionally, both are weather-sealed, waterproof to impressive depths, and shockproof, but Ricoh WG-20 is rated for slightly more freezeproof and impact resistance, making it a sturdy choice for harsher conditions.

Still, if you value finer details and slightly more vibrant colors, I’d choose Fujifilm XP70 for landscape work but keep the Ricoh WG-20 in mind for extreme environments.

Wildlife and Sports Photography: Speed and Autofocus Performance

These fast-paced subjects put autofocus and burst rates to the test.

The XP70 supports continuous shooting at 10 fps, which is impressive for a waterproof compact. Combined with contrast-detection AF and face tracking, it performs decently for casual wildlife or sports shots but inevitably trails behind interchangeable-lens systems. The relatively slow maximum shutter speed of 1/2000s limits fast action freezing in bright light.

Ricoh’s WG-20 maxes at just 1 fps burst speed, making it less suited for fast action. Its autofocus system is contrast-detection only with 9 focus points, which can be slower to lock focus under motion.

I’ve tested both on scenes with moving wildlife and kids in action - the Fujifilm clearly wins on tracking speed and buffer depth. So if you expect to capture moving subjects and want a waterproof secondary camera, XP70 is the better pick.

Street Photography: Discreetness and Portability Matters

Here the lightweight and size of your camera define your enjoyment.

Both cameras are compact, have relatively silent operation, and no intrusive zoom sounds - which is good. However, the Ricoh WG-20’s slimmer width makes it a bit more pocketable under layers or jacket pockets, an advantage if you prefer invisibility.

Still, neither is particularly small compared to stealth street cameras, and the plastic, colorful styling makes them a bit noticeable to subjects.

If you want a walk-around waterproof camera that doesn’t scream “serious photographer,” WG-20’s smaller footprint may appeal more for street use, but I’d still carry the XP70 for the better image quality.

Macro Photography: Focus Closest and Stabilization

Close-up photography benefits from lens and focusing precision.

The Ricoh WG-20 boasts a macro focus distance of just 1cm, which is truly tight and allows shooting tiny flowers or insects. By comparison, the XP70’s macro range is 9cm, decent but less intimate.

However, the Fuji’s sensor-shift image stabilization helps retain sharpness easily handheld, while the Ricoh relies on digital stabilization, which tends to degrade image quality slightly.

For hands-on macro, if you prioritize getting very close with the least fuss, Ricoh takes this category, but for stabilized, clearer shots, I slightly favor Fuji’s stabilization system.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure Control

Shooting in the dark is a challenge with compacts.

The XP70’s higher native ISO 6400 with CMOS sensor generally delivers cleaner images than the WG-20’s CCD sensor, which tends to produce more noise. The Fujifilm supports sensor-shift stabilization, vital for slower shutter speeds, while Ricoh relies solely on digital IS with no built-in exposure bracketing mode.

Neither has astrophotography-friendly features like long bulb exposures or raw output, but in my night tests, the Fujifilm XP70’s better noise management and steadier exposures pulled ahead.

Video Capabilities: Recording Specs and Practical Use

Both cameras offer video but with very different ambitions.

The Fujifilm XP70 can shoot full HD (1920x1080) video at 30 or 60 frames per second, encoded in H.264, providing smoother footage. Video stabilization via sensor-shift works to reduce handheld shake moderately.

The Ricoh WG-20 maxes out at 720p HD at 30fps, with Motion JPEG format, resulting in much larger file sizes and less efficient compression. It also features timelapse recording, which might interest casual video hobbyists.

Neither camera offers microphone input or headphone monitoring, which limits professional video use.

For casual video, the XP70 is preferable for quality and smoothness, whereas the WG-20’s timelapse is a fun extra.

Travel Photography: All-Round Versatility and Battery Life

Durability and battery stamina count hugely for travel shooters.

The WG-20 boasts a slightly better battery life of 260 shots per charge, compared to Fujifilm’s 210 shots. While neither impressively stretches beyond a day of active shooting, both cameras compensate by relying on compact, replaceable battery packs.

Their single SD card slots and similar weight make them both travel-friendly, but considering the better ergonomics, display clarity, and image quality, the XP70 edges out for the typical travel photographer.

Professional Use: Reliability and Workflow Considerations

While these compact tough cameras aren’t targeted at professionals, some uses do overlap.

Neither camera supports RAW shooting or offers high bit-depth file options, limiting their use as primary professional cameras. Connectivity options are slim: Fujifilm has built-in wireless (though limited), while Ricoh offers none.

Both provide USB 2.0 and HDMI ports but no advanced workflow features like tethered shooting or advanced file management.

For professional backup or casual rugged camera, Fujifilm’s wireless capabilities and richer shooting modes stand out, but both are best suited as secondary or emergency-use cameras.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance: Ready for Action

Both cameras share impressive toughness with waterproofing up to similar depths, shockproofing, freezeproofing, and dust resistance (though neither claims full dustproofing).

The Fuji XP70 feels slightly more solid to me, with more resistant button seals and a sturdier body. The Ricoh’s design offers a few more rubberized surfaces but feels a little more plasticky.

Technical Summary and Price-to-Performance Verdict

To sum up their tech specs:

Although the Ricoh WG-20 launched at nearly double the price of the XP70, it offers fewer features, lower resolution video, and slower continuous shooting. Its macro focus and slightly better battery life are solid points, but the overall package lacks the finesse of Fujifilm’s offering.

Which Camera Should You Choose? Tailored Recommendations

Let's wrap this up by matching these cameras to user profiles based on real-world use and value.

Final Thoughts: The Verdict from Years of Experience

In my extensive hands-on testing, the FujiFilm FinePix XP70 emerges as the more versatile and user-friendly waterproof compact. Its sharper sensor, better continuous shooting, improved autofocus, and clearer display combine for a more satisfying experience across the broadest photography scenarios.

That said, the Ricoh WG-20 shouldn’t be dismissed. For macro lovers, casual street shooters prioritizing portability, and those wanting timelapse features, the WG-20 remains an appealing niche choice, especially if you can find it discounted.

Ultimately, both earn their place as dependable, rugged compact cameras, but if I had to pick one for my next wet-weather adventure shooting diverse subjects, I’d grab the Fujifilm XP70 every time.

Sample Gallery: See for Yourself

To close, here are side-by-side samples from both cameras to illustrate image quality and color rendition differences in typical scenarios.

Fujifilm XP70 front Fujifilm XP70 screen back Ricoh WG 20 front Ricoh WG 20 screen back

Whether you're diving into underwater shoots or hiking mountain trails, I hope this detailed comparison helps you make the best decision for your photography passion and practical needs.

Happy (and safe) shooting!