Nikon Coolpix P310 vs Ricoh WG-20: A Pragmatic Compact Camera Showdown

Choosing a compact camera can feel a bit like dating in the digital age - there’s flash and pizzazz, but you want something solid, reliable, and maybe a little rugged, too. Today, let’s dive into a detailed, no-nonsense comparison between two small-sensor compacts from the early 2010s: the Nikon Coolpix P310 and the Ricoh WG-20. Both were designed for very different niches - the P310 for enthusiasts craving a pocket-friendly yet capable shooter, and the WG-20 for adventure seekers needing a waterproof sidekick.

Having tested hundreds of compacts over the years, I’m well aware that specs sometimes camouflage the real deal. So, let’s peel back the marketing layers, comparisons in hand, and get to grips with what each camera actually delivers - with a wink.

Size Matters - But How Much?

Pose this question to any photographer: “How portable should your camera be?”

The Nikon P310 hugs the compact category with traditional sensibilities - a neat 103 x 58 x 32 mm and 194 grams. It’s comfortable without being pocket-smashingly small. The Ricoh WG-20, meanwhile, stretches to 114 x 58 x 28 mm but trims the weight slightly to 164 grams. It’s thinner front-to-back but a tad longer.

What you’re seeing here are cameras optimized for different priorities. The P310 has a grip-worthy, somewhat refined body. It’s easy to hold steady for precise composition and manual controls. The WG-20, in contrast, is chunkier lengthwise, made to be grabbed and battered without worry - waterproofing and shockproofing add bulk.

For travel photography, I found the P310 more pleasantly ergonomic, especially when shooting extended sessions. The WG-20’s slimmer profile hides its ruggedness well but can feel less secure without a wrist strap.

Control Freaks Rejoice? Button Layout and Usability

Diving under the hood of the user interface, the P310 boasts a control layout that leans into semi-professional territory: manual exposure modes (aperture and shutter priority), exposure compensation, and a satisfying zoom ring that’s rare for compacts.

The WG-20 is markedly simplified - no aperture or shutter priority modes, no dedicated exposure compensation, and a more utilitarian button grid. For a casual or first-time user, this might be welcoming; for those wanting creative control, it’s a letdown.

The P310’s lack of a viewfinder is a bummer for bright environments, though its 3-inch 921k-dot fixed TFT LCD offers good clarity. The WG-20’s smaller 2.7-inch screen with a mere 230k dots feels fuzzy, especially in daylight.

If tactile joy and manual freedom count, the P310 wins handily.

Sensor Wars: The Heart of Image Quality

Both cameras pack a 1/2.3-inch type sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm - the compact standard. But sensor goes beyond size and resolution (16MP for the P310, 14MP for the WG-20).

The Nikon uses a BSI-CMOS sensor, which, by 2012 standards, was a step forward for low-light performance and dynamic range. Ricoh’s CCD sensor, while respectable, generally lags in noise control, especially at higher ISO.

Practical experience confirms: the P310 produces sharper, cleaner images up to ISO 800, with the bonus of delivering smoother gradations in shadows and highlight retention. The WG-20 struggles more with noise beyond ISO 400 - no surprise given the older sensor tech and digital stabilization methods.

Dynamic range differences, while subtle, favor the Nikon, making it better for landscape and shadow-rich scenarios.

Screen and Interface: What You See is What You Get

Touchscreens haven’t become de rigueur here, but the interface design still matters.

The P310’s anti-reflective coated 3-inch display provides vibrant previews even outdoors. This is no minor detail for street or travel shooters who often shoot on the fly.

The WG-20’s smaller, lower-res screen makes manual focusing and framing more challenging.

Moreover, the P310’s menu is thorough yet straightforward - an experienced user can navigate ISO settings, metering modes (multi-segment, spot, center-weighted), and white balance bracketing with ease. The WG-20 simplifies these down, which some may find less intimidating but gives up on flexibility.

Nikon P310 front Nikon P310 screen back Ricoh WG 20 front Ricoh WG 20 screen back

Real-World Shooting: Where Rubber Meets the Road

Putting each through the paces across disciplines reveals telling contrasts.

Portrait Photography

Skin tones from the Nikon P310 feel more natural and evenly rendered, thanks to its superior image processor and better white balance versatility. Its bright f/1.8 aperture at the wide end means cleaner subject isolation and more pleasant bokeh - quite respectable for a compact.

The WG-20’s narrower f/3.5 aperture limits shallow depth-of-field effect. Combined with weaker sensor noise performance, portraits feel flatter and sometimes overly processed to mask noise.

Is face detection reliable? Both cameras offer face detection, but the P310’s higher number of focus points (99 vs. 9 on the WG-20) allows more precise locking - though neither will rival modern mirrorless eye-AF tech, obviously.

Landscape Photography

Here the Nikon’s advantage in dynamic range and resolution shines. Landscapes shot handheld stay crisp, and colors have a natural vibrancy without oversaturation. While neither camera boasts weather sealing, the WG-20’s ruggedness theoretically invites use in harsher conditions, such as near water or light rain.

Both cameras lock to their lowest ISO values (100 on Nikon, 80 on Ricoh), but the P310's sharper optics and superior noise control give it a noticeable edge. If I had to pick one for casual landscape snaps on the weekend, the Nikon wins, but for muddy waterfall hikes or beachside shooting, the WG-20 is the hardy companion.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Neither is a high-speed specialist, but the P310 offers a 6fps burst mode - far superior to WG-20's lethargic 1fps. Autofocus on the Nikon is contrast-detection with 99 points and tracking - decent for fast-moving subjects in good light.

The WG-20 has continuous autofocus and tracking but fewer focus points and slower frame rate make it unsuitable for decisive moments in sports or wildlife.

Telephoto reach favors WG-20 (28-140mm vs. 24-100mm), which can help from a distance, but the slower lens and limited focus speed hamper effective use.

Street and Travel Photography

The P310, with its sleeker ergonomics, better screen, and manual controls, suits street shooters after thoughtful composition. Lack of weather sealing requires care, though.

For travel photography, I appreciated the P310’s sharper optics for souvenir shots and the versatile aperture range. Its 230-shot battery life is tight but workable - pack a spare.

The WG-20’s rugged, waterproof chassis makes it better suited to active, sporty travelers or beach holidays where splashes and dust are common. Plus, its macro capability down to 1cm means fun close-up explorations.

Technical Breakdown: Performance in Numbers

While neither camera has been DXO Mark tested, my hands-on evaluation suggests the Nikon P310 outperforms the WG-20 in core photographic aspects: continuous shooting, autofocus proficiency, sensor noise, and image resolution.

The WG-20’s strengths are fewer but significant in durability and some video modes.

Niche Genres: Macro, Night, and Video

Macro Photography

The WG-20’s 1cm macro focus beats the P310’s 2cm - making it marginally better for ultra-close subjects. But image quality at macro distances still favors Nikon, which handles detail and color more cleanly.

Night/Astro Photography

Neither camera is paradise after dark, but the P310's BSI-CMOS sensor combined with the fast f/1.8 aperture allows marginally better low-light capture, cleaner ISOs up to 800, and maximum shutter speeds reaching 1/8000s offer creative flexibility.

WG-20’s max ISO of 6400 sounds impressive but digital noise and CCD limitations make high-ISO shots messy. The lack of manual exposure modes locks you out of full creative control.

Video Capabilities

The Nikon records Full HD 1080p at 30fps using H.264, a modern and efficient codec, delivering decent quality footage - no 4K or slow motion, but smooth results, especially with optical stabilization.

The WG-20 maxes out at 720p HD, using Motion JPEG - bulkier files and less effective compression. Video quality is what I’d call “occasional holiday video” rather than serious filmmaking.

Neither camera has microphone or headphone jacks, showing their casual video focus.

Under the Hood: Build, Battery, and Connectivity

Weather sealing is a key differentiator. The WG-20 boasts waterproofing (up to 10m), shockproofing, and freezeproofing - rare for this price and class. Nikon’s P310 lacks all environmental protection, cementing its role as a careful indoor or fair-weather shooter.

Battery life slightly favors the WG-20 with 260 shots vs. 230 on the Nikon (CIPA standard). Still, both are short compared to modern mirrorless or DSLRs.

Storage options are identical (SD card slot), but WG-20 offers internal memory - handy for emergencies.

Connectivity is basic on both: USB 2.0 and HDMI output, no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth - expected for cameras of this era.

Lens and Stabilization - What’s in Your Kit?

Both cameras use fixed zoom lenses with roughly 5x optical zoom.

Nikon’s brighter aperture range (f/1.8-4.9) makes a compelling difference in versatility - indoor, street, and low light benefit from the wider glass. Ricoh’s f/3.5-5.5 lens is more economic and slower.

Image stabilization is optical on Nikon, digital on Ricoh. Optical is always preferable - far better at preserving image sharpness and reducing motion blur. The WG-20’s digital IS can sometimes result in crops or artifacting.

So, Who Wins? Making Sense of the Competition

Nikon Coolpix P310:

Strengths:

• Superior image quality and sensor technology
• Faster lens (f/1.8 aperture) for low light and bokeh
• More manual controls and shooting modes
• Higher continuous shooting rate (6fps)
• Optical image stabilization
• Better LCD screen resolution
• More focus points, reliable face detection

Weaknesses:

• No weather sealing
• Short battery life
• No raw support
• A bit heavier and chunkier than ultra-compact alternatives

Ricoh WG-20:

Strengths:

• Waterproof, shockproof, and freezeproof rugged body
• Macro focus to 1cm
• Longer battery life and internal memory
• Very affordable price point
• Simple interface for casual shooters
• Slightly longer telephoto reach (28-140mm)

Weaknesses:

• Lower image quality, older CCD sensor
• Small, low-res LCD screen
• Digital stabilization less effective
• No manual exposure modes
• Slower continuous shooting (1fps)

Recommendations for Different Photographers

• The Enthusiast Seeker of Image Quality: Pick Nikon P310. Its better sensor, optics, and controls reward thoughtful shooting and deliver images you’ll enjoy displaying. Ideal for portraits, landscapes, street, and travel with care.

• Adventure Traveler or Casual Shooter: Go Ricoh WG-20. Waterproofed ruggedness means this camera won’t bail when swimming or dropping a few inches. Image quality compromises exist but are acceptable for a casual snapshot device.

• Budget Conscious / Backup Camera User: WG-20 offers ruggedness and simplicity for less than half the P310’s price, a consideration if gear insurance premiums pinch or outings are dicey.

• Video Hobbyist: Nikon’s smoother 1080p and optical IS slightly edge out Ricoh’s grainier 720p video.

Final Thoughts: Context is Everything

The Nikon Coolpix P310, despite launching in 2012, remains a capable compact for shooters valuing image quality and manual control in a classic compact form factor. Its lack of weather sealing and wireless connectivity is a nod to its vintage roots.

Ricoh’s WG-20 trades image finesse for durability - a no-nonsense tool for rough environments where many cameras fear to tread. If your photography plans include waterfalls, snorkeling, or mountain hikes in chilly weather, it’s an unlikely but loyal companion.

If you want a nice balance - and your budget stretches - the P310 is the more versatile all-rounder. But if protecting your gear and snapping fast in the wild is top priority, the WG-20 deserves a hard look.

In the end, both unite simplicity with focused design - reminding us that in photography, matching tool to task often matters more than chasing specs. And no spec sheet can predict exactly which camera feels right in your hand.

Happy shooting!

Appendix: Summary Table

Note: Camera specs and details are from original manufacturer announcements and direct hands-on testing over multiple shoots, ensuring a grounded and unbiased overview.