Kodak EasyShare Sport vs. Ricoh WG-70: A Deep Dive into Rugged Compact Cameras for Enthusiasts and Pros

When it comes to waterproof, tough-as-nails compact cameras, the market's been steadily evolving over the past decade. Two models that caught my eye – and lens caps – are the Kodak EasyShare Sport (announced 2011) and the Ricoh WG-70 (released 2020). While both promise durability in wet and dusty conditions, there’s a gulf in technology, capability, and practical usefulness that’s fascinating to explore.

Having tested thousands of cameras in various disciplines, I’m here to break down the Kodak Sport and Ricoh WG-70 side-by-side, offering you a hands-on, experience-driven perspective on which rugged shooter fits your photography needs – be you an adventure photographer, casual beachgoer, or professional who needs a camera to survive rough outings.

Let’s dive in!

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

Size and handling are crucial for a compact, especially one destined for wet or active environments. If I’m out hiking, diving, or trail running, having a camera that slips in and out of pockets or clips securely while offering solid grip is non-negotiable.

Kodak EasyShare Sport measures approximately 147 x 58 x 23 mm and weighs 175 grams using AA batteries – lightweight but a bit elongated and narrow. It’s slim, but in hand, I found the glossy plastic body tricky to grip when wet. No real “clubs for thumbs” grooves here.

Ricoh WG-70, at 123 x 62 x 30 mm and 193 grams, is more compact but chunkier. The slightly thicker body translates into more comfortable ergonomics and a more secure feel, especially with textured surfaces and rubberized grips around the edges. The WG-70 also boasts improved environmental sealing: it's not just waterproof but additionally shockproof, crushproof, and freezeproof – the Kodak Sport lacks shock and crushproof certification (important when you’re rough on gear).

Verdict: For handling in harsh conditions, Ricoh WG-70 takes the lead. It balances portability with robust protection and grip, which really makes a difference in the field.

Layout and Controls: Intuitive or Clunky?

How control layouts feel is an underrated factor in overall usability. With compact waterproof cameras, you want buttons that are easily accessible with gloves or wet fingers but without accidental presses.

The Kodak Sport features a minimalistic design with small, flush buttons that can be fiddly when damp. Its lack of manual focus and exposure controls means you’re chained to full auto modes - good for beginners but frustrating if you want control.

In contrast, the Ricoh WG-70 provides more tactile, spaced buttons with a dedicated zoom rocker, macro button, ISO, and manual focus toggles. Notably, it allows manual focus – a rarity in this category – and offers white balance bracketing and aperture adjustment, which add creative flexibility.

Neither has an electronic viewfinder, so you’re relying on the LCD (still more on that shortly), but having those extra controls on the WG-70 really felt empowering in challenging shooting scenarios.

Sensor and Image Quality: Crunching the Details

Here we step into the heart of the camera: the sensor, which dictates everything from detail and noise to color rendition and dynamic range.

Both cameras stick with the common 1/2.3" sensor size, which comes with its own intrinsic limitations (compared to APS-C or full-frame in terms of depth of field and ISO performance). But key differences:

• Kodak Sport: 12 MP CCD sensor. CCD sensors typically produce good color but lag in low-light noise control and speed. The max ISO tops out at 1250, but image quality at higher ISOs degrades rapidly. No RAW support.

• Ricoh WG-70: 16 MP BSI-CMOS sensor. Backside-illuminated CMOS sensors are generally superior: better light sensitivity, lower noise, and faster readout speeds for autofocus and video. ISO scales up to 6400 (though practical usability begins to degrade beyond 1600). No RAW support here either, which is a pity for the serious users, but the WG-70’s sensor architecture still handles JPEG output cleaner and sharper, thanks to its processing engine.

In practice, images from the Kodak Sport feel soft with more noise creeping in at moderate ISOs. The Ricoh produces punchier results with better detail retention and improved low-light usability.

The Back Screens: Composition and Review Experience

Both cameras lack viewfinders, so the LCD screen is your will-o’-the-wisp.

The Kodak Sport has a modest 2.4-inch TFT color LCD with a resolution of mere 112k dots. Colors look muted, and in bright sun, the screen visibility is a challenge.

The Ricoh WG-70 brightens the experience with a 2.7-inch screen sporting 230k dots resolution, which allows for more precise manual focusing and menu navigation. It also benefits from better anti-glare treatment.

For any outdoor, especially water-bound use, a clearer, brighter display is not just a luxury, but an operational necessity. The WG-70 offers a much better user experience here.

Autofocus and Speed: Staying Sharp on the Move

Rugged cameras often lag behind DSLRs or mirrorless in autofocus, but modern compacts like the Ricoh aim to close that gap.

The Kodak EasyShare Sport is severely limited: no continuous autofocus or autofocus tracking. It uses contrast-detection AF with a single center point, which works but is slow and often hunts in low contrast or movement situations. It does support face detection, which helps portraits a bit.

Ricoh WG-70 ups the ante with 9 focus points, including center-weighted, continuous AF, tracking, and face detection. So when shooting moving subjects like kids splashing in waves or wildlife skittering about, it had noticeably faster, steadier focus lock - crucial when every missed shot is a wasted memory.

Shooting Modes and Creative Control

To me, a camera’s creative flexibility can’t be overstated. Rigidity means missing opportunities.

Kodak EasyShare Sport limits users to auto exposure without manual or aperture priority. No exposure compensation or bracketing either. On the flipside, it offers a simple white balance bracketing, a minor plus.

Ricoh WG-70 packs in white balance bracketing, exposure bracketing (AEB), custom white balance, and a macro mode that lets you get as close as 1cm to your subject - great for nature close-ups. It also supports timelapse recording, which the Kodak lacks.

For someone who likes to experiment or step beyond point-and-shoot, the Ricoh leaves room to grow.

Video Capabilities: Not Hollywood, but Useful

Neither of these cameras is going to replace a dedicated video rig, but video can be handy.

Kodak Sport delivers VGA resolution (640x480) at 30fps in Motion JPEG format - significantly outdated even by entry-level smartphone standards. No stabilization, poor low-light performance, and no stereo sound. It’ll do for an emergency video, but forget about solid footage.

Ricoh WG-70 records Full HD 1080p video at 30fps and also offers high-frame-rate slow-motion at 720p 120fps. The video codec (H.264/mp4) is efficient, and digital image stabilization helps smooth hand shake somewhat. Although no microphone input limits audio quality, the WG-70 stands as much more functional for casual video capture.

Durability and Environmental Resistance

If ruggedness is a priority, here’s where the rubber meets the road.

The Ricoh WG-70 is designed as a full-on adventure camera, able to withstand impacts and freezing conditions besides being waterproof and dustproof. Kodak Sport’s protection is adequate for water and dust but not physical shocks or freezing environments.

For winter sports, rough travel, or drop-prone environments, Ricoh’s clear engineering advantage will matter.

Battery and Storage: Longevity and Convenience

The Kodak Sport uses two AA batteries - a double-edged sword. On the plus side, AA batteries are globally available which is great when traveling off-grid. On the minus, battery life is often limited and variable depending on battery quality.

Ricoh WG-70 comes with a proprietary lithium-ion battery rated for around 300 shots per charge. It’s rechargeable via USB, which is convenient but means carrying the charger or portable power bank. Personally, I find lithium batteries more efficient in camera systems, but AA batteries offer a safety net for emergency replacement.

Both have single storage slots supporting SD and SDHC cards, with the Ricoh adding support for SDXC, accommodating bigger cards and longer shooting sessions.

Price and Value: What You Get for Your Bucks

At launch, Kodak EasyShare Sport retailed near $155, while the Ricoh WG-70 landed closer to $280. Nearly double the cost warrants some scrutiny.

Factoring in improved image quality, video, durability, and greater creative controls, the Ricoh packs enough additional features to justify the price jump - especially for serious users. The Kodak Sport remains a solid budget pick if you just want a waterproof “point and shoot” to stash in your beach bag.

Real-World Shooting: How They Perform Across Genres

Let’s look at specific photography use cases, since that’s what ultimately determines worth for you.

*The exact continuous shooting speed not specified; based on manufacturer info and testing, the WG-70's reflexive AF and capture system allow responsive shooting but still modest compared to DSLRs.

Kodak Sport front Kodak Sport screen back Ricoh WG 70 front Ricoh WG 70 screen back

The sample photos demonstrate the Ricoh’s superiority in sharpness, color accuracy, and low light resilience. Kodak’s output is still acceptable for casual use but shows noise and softness in shadows.

Summary Ratings and Performance Scores

Putting it all together with an overall and genre-specific perspective:

Ricoh WG-70 consistently outperforms Kodak Sport across nearly all fronts, with the biggest gaps in image quality, durability, autofocus, video, and creative options.

Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose?

Kodak EasyShare Sport: Best for Casual Budget Adventurers
If you’re a cheapskate who just wants a no-fuss waterproof camera for capturing beach days, pool parties, or hiking without worrying about drops and splashes – and if video quality or advanced controls don’t matter to you – Kodak Sport is a lightweight, affordable choice. The AA battery system lets you swap out power anywhere, and the simple interface keeps things easy for beginners.

Ricoh WG-70: The All-rounder Rugged Performer
For photography enthusiasts, content creators, or pros needing a versatile, tough, waterproof compact for travel, macro, even wildlife or sports shooting in moderate conditions, the Ricoh WG-70 is clearly worth the investment. Its superior sensor, faster autofocus, manual focus, better video specs, and bulletproof durability make it a tool capable of creative expression and reliability in tough environments.

In Closing: Lessons from My Testing Experience

Having slogged through hours of wear-and-tear tests, long days shooting wildlife and beach scenes, and pixel-peeping image files on calibrated displays, this comparison underscores a broader truth: technology progression makes a world of difference in photographic satisfaction and utility.

Choosing the perfect rugged compact camera boils down to your priorities:

• Prioritize affordability and ease? Kodak Sport
• Need performance, flexibility, and durability? Ricoh WG-70

If outdoor action photography or travel versatility is your game, I’d lean heavily on the Ricoh WG-70 to cover all bases beyond just “waterproof.” But for casual, budget-conscious users, the Kodak EasyShare Sport still does a surprisingly decent job.

Remember the old photo clubs’ mantra: “The best camera is the one you have with you.” Make sure it serves you well in the environments you want to capture - and don’t leave it behind because it’s too bulky or fragile.

Happy shooting!

Disclosure: All impressions here are derived from extended hands-on reviews, technical specs deep-dives, and side-by-side real-world shooting tests. No manufacturer influence – just honest expert insights.