Nikon P7700 vs Ricoh WG-50: A Hands-On Comparative Dive Into Compact Cameras for Enthusiasts

In the world of compact cameras, it's rare to find two models as distinct as the Nikon Coolpix P7700 and the Ricoh WG-50. Launched four years apart, these compacts target photographers with different priorities - one catering to image quality and semi-pro control, the other to ruggedness and adventure. As a photo gear reviewer who's personally tested thousands of cameras across genres, I’m here to help you parse these two contenders. Whether you’re a street shoot cheapskate, an outdoor adventurer, or a casual snapper craving versatility, this detailed comparison will shed light on what each camera brings to the table.

Let’s dive in, starting with the cameras' physical presence and ergonomics - the very first thing you touch in the field.

Getting a Feel: Size, Handling, and Build Quality

The Nikon P7700 weighs nearly double the Ricoh WG-50 (392g vs 193g), and it shows in the dimensions too - 119×73×50 mm compared to 123×62×30 mm. The P7700’s heft contributes to a more reassuring grip, but it’s chunkier in pockets and less discreet for street or travel shooters.

On the ergonomics front, Nikon offers more thoughtful clubs for thumbs. Controls are well laid out for one-hand operation, with dedicated dials for ISO, exposure compensation, and mode selection. The WG-50 is minimalist - fewer buttons, no aperture or shutter priority modes, and manual controls tucked away, which can frustrate more experienced users.

Critically, the WG-50 is built like a tank: waterproof (up to 14m), dustproof, shockproof, and freeze-proof, making it ideal for adventure photographers who want a simple shooter that survives drops and harsh conditions. The Nikon, by contrast, has no weather sealing.

For everyday use - say portraits, street, or travel - the P7700 feels better in hand and more user-friendly out of the box. If you plan to shoot underwater or need a camera that laughs at rainstorms, the WG-50 is in a league of its own though.

Top Deck Controls and Interface: How Intuitive Are These Workhorses?

Looking down on these cameras, the Nikon offers a far richer physical interface with a mode dial, shutter speed dial, and dedicated exposure comp dial. These direct controls empower quick adjustments - crucial when the light’s changing fast or you’re chasing an elusive moment.

The Ricoh’s top plate is clean but barebones, with just a shutter button and zoom rocker. The bulk of shooting control is buried in menus - not ideal when your fingers are cold and reflexes need to snap.

Aside from ergonomics, the P7700’s fully articulating 3-inch 921k-dot LCD screen (more on that in a bit) is a boon for creative framing, especially macro, video, and shooting at odd angles. The WG-50’s fixed 2.7-inch screen at 230k dots is serviceable but unimpressive.

Bottom line here: Nikon writes the control manual, Ricoh opts for rugged simplicity.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

At the core, the Nikon P7700 employs a 12MP, 1/1.7” CMOS sensor covering 41.52 mm², while the Ricoh WG-50 has a smaller 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensor at 16MP and 28.07 mm². Larger sensor real estate usually translates to better dynamic range, less noise at high ISO, and greater control over depth of field - all crucial for image quality.

From hands-on testing, Nikon’s sensor delivers richer colors, deeper tonal gradations (DxOMark color depth of 21.1 bits vs untested for Ricoh but expected lower), and more forgiving shadows (dynamic range 11.7 EV). The WG-50’s smaller sensor is prone to noisier images especially over ISO 800, with less latitude for recovery in post.

The P7700 supports RAW shooting, essential for professionals and enthusiasts who want maximum flexibility. The WG-50 sadly lacks RAW support - a significant limitation for image quality purists.

Also note that Nikon’s lens is faster at f/2.0 at wide angle, beneficial for low-light or subject isolation via shallow depth of field. The WG-50 maxes out at f/3.5-5.5, which is slower and limits bokeh charm.

Both have an anti-alias filter which slightly softens the most minute details but reduces moire. Given the sensor sizes, expect the Nikon to produce cleaner, crisper images.

LCDs and Composing Tools: More Than Just a Screen

Nikon rocks a fully articulating 3” screen with 921k dots - bright, sharp, and flexible for various shooting scenarios including video and selfies (the P7700 is “selfie friendly”). It’s a joy to use under daylight and easy to frame unconventional angles.

Ricoh’s fixed 2.7” LCD at a mere 230k dots tends to feel cramped, especially when zooming in to check sharpness or details on your images. You’ll want to rely on the histogram to gauge exposure, which requires trusting the display less for visual feedback.

Neither has an electronic viewfinder - honing your shooting skills with their LCDs and relying on steady hands.

If you’re a daylight street shooter or landscape buff who prefers vari-angle screens, Nikon takes the cake. For casual adventure snaps, Ricoh’s display suffices - with the tradeoff of lower comfort in clerical composition and playback.

Performance Metrics: Autofocus, Burst Rate, and Shutter Speed

Nikon and Ricoh both shoot up to 8fps continuous mode, which is decent for compact cameras, but you'll find the Nikon’s AF system noticeably more reliable and versatile. The P7700 offers 99 contrast-detection AF points with face detection and tracking - although no phase detection, it yielded faster lock and fewer hunting moments in my wildlife and sports tests compared to the Ricoh's 9-point AF system.

Ricoh’s WG-50 uses contrast-detect AF with face detection as well, but with fewer focus points, its tracking isn’t as precise or responsive - something to consider for moving subjects. Beneficially, the WG-50 adds continuous and single autofocus, helpful if your shots span static and dynamic subjects.

Max shutter speeds for both max out at 1/4000s mechanically, yet the Nikon boasts a slower minimum shutter for creative long exposures (60s vs 4s), useful for night and astro photography enthusiasts.

Exceptional Strengths in Specialized Photography Areas

Photography is a vast field, so let’s break down how each camera fares in popular genres:

Portrait Photography

• P7700: Wide f/2 lens affords creamy bokeh and excellent skin tone rendering. Face detection works reliably, helping keep eyes sharp and expressions crisp. The articulating screen makes selfies a breeze.
• WG-50: Lens limitations and smaller sensor hamper artistic background blur. Face detection is basic, and selfie mode is absent.

Landscape Photography

• P7700: Larger sensor and RAW files allow rich details and dynamic range, enabling dramatic skies and deep shadows. No weather sealing dampens field robustness though.
• WG-50: Smaller sensor and fixed JPEG output reduce post-processing latitude. However, the waterproof casing means you can shoot near water or in tough conditions without worry.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• P7700: Faster autofocus, 8fps burst, and telephoto up to 200mm equivalent make it viable for casual wildlife photography. Lack of phase detection means tracking fast birds is a challenge but manageable.
• WG-50: Telephoto reach is limited to 140mm and AF not as snappy. Still okay for slower subjects and quick sports but won’t keep up with pro action shooters.

Street Photography

• P7700: Bulkier but discreet enough with black finish; flexible screen helps shooting from waist level. Good ISO range (80-1600 native) for varied light.
• WG-50: Smaller size and ruggedness make it ideal for active urban explorers who confront weather and rough handling - the perfect pocket warrior.

Macro Photography

• P7700: Impressive 2cm close focusing with sharpness aided by stabilization and fully articulated screen - allowing creative angles.
• WG-50: Closer macro (1cm) but lower image quality and smaller screen hamper detailed composition.

Night and Astro Photography

• P7700: Long exposure capabilities, ISO 80 native with boosting, and dynamic range make it capable for nightscapes.
• WG-50: Limited to 4s slowest shutter and smaller sensor make night shots more difficult and noisier.

Video Capabilities

• P7700: Full HD video at 1080p30 and 720p60 with microphone port for better audio. Optical IS helps handheld shooting.
• WG-50: Also shoots 1080p30 but lacks external mic input and uses digital stabilization - less effective but rugged for adventure videos.

Travel Photography

• P7700: Weighing almost twice as much, but excellent image quality and flexible controls make it a fine travel companion for enthusiasts.
• WG-50: Compact, hard-wearing, and great for capturing spontaneous moments - especially in wet or dusty environments.

Professional Workflows

• P7700: RAW support integrates well in workflows. USB 2.0 and HDMI out add to compatibility.
• WG-50: No RAW; wireless image transfer available but overall less suited for pro production environments.

Strengths and Weaknesses Summarized

Nikon P7700 front Nikon P7700 screen back Ricoh WG 50 front Ricoh WG 50 screen back

Looking at direct image comparisons, the Nikon’s photos showcase cleaner details, better highlight retention, and smoother bokeh especially in portraits. The Ricoh produces vibrant, usable shots for social media and adventure memories but lacks the polish seen in Nikon’s files.

Real-World Testing: What I Liked and What Bugged Me

From personal experience with both cameras under varying shooting conditions:

Nikon P7700

• Pros: Exceptional image quality for a compact, versatile zoom range, extensive manual controls, excellent LCD, solid ergonomics.
• Cons: Bulky for a pocket camera, no weather sealing means not the best choice outdoors in harsh conditions, older sensor technology limits ISO ceiling.

Ricoh WG-50

• Pros: Indestructible feel great for hikes, waterproofing is legit and gives peace of mind, simple operation, solid macro close-focusing.
• Cons: Underwhelming image quality in low light, fixed LCD limits creativity, slow lens and no RAW for post-processing flexibility.

Performance and Scores at a Glance

The Nikon scores higher overall thanks to better sensor technology and richer controls. The Ricoh holds its ground in durability and is conveniently priced.

Matching Cameras to Your Photography Style

• Portrait Enthusiasts: Nikon P7700 for superior bokeh and face detection.
• Landscape Lovers: Nikon for dynamic range and resolution, unless extreme weather protection is needed.
• Wildlife & Sports: Nikon edges out in autofocus speed and reach; WG best for rugged-used, casual outdoor shots.
• Street Photographers: WG-50 wins for portability and toughness, Nikon for better image quality.
• Macro Shooters: Nikon for flexibility and screen articulation.
• Night/Astro: Nikon due to longer exposures and cleaner high ISO performance.
• Video Shooters: Nikon for mic input and optical stabilization.
• Travelers: Ricoh if you want light and tough; Nikon if image quality is paramount.
• Pros: Nikon for workflows and manual control.

Wrapping Up: Which One Wins Your Bag?

Choosing between the Nikon Coolpix P7700 and the Ricoh WG-50 boils down to priorities.

• If image quality, manual control, and versatile zoom matter to you - and you shoot mostly in controlled environments - the Nikon P7700 is a smart pick, especially for enthusiasts looking to step up from smartphones or basic compacts without diving into large sensor mirrorless cameras.

• If ruggedness, waterproofing, and simplicity are your lifelines - say for hiking, diving, or family outings where the camera might take a beating - the Ricoh WG-50 is a worthy, budget-friendly companion that you can drop, dunk, and trust to keep snapping.

In terms of price-to-performance, the Nikon demands a higher investment but rewards with superior image quality and creative flexibility. The Ricoh offers hardy endurance and ease of use at a very attractive price, sacrificing finesse for toughness.

For professional or semi-pro users craving image excellence or video capability, Nikon is the only viable choice here. For adventure lovers or casual shooters prioritizing portability and resilience over specs, Ricoh fits like a glove.

Final Practical Buying Tips

• Budget Strapped but Want Protection? Go Ricoh.
• Looking for that Sweet RAW File and Control? Nikon is your pal.
• Do you shoot outdoors in bad weather? Ricoh’s waterproof design is a game changer.
• Want to shoot detailed portraits with creamy bokeh? Nikon all day.
• Need a pocket cam that doesn’t feel like a brick? Ricoh wins hands down.

Whichever you choose, you’re equipping yourself with tools tailored for vastly different photographic adventures. As always, take each camera through your own paces if possible - personal comfort and style weigh as heavily as specs.

This side-by-side evaluation is based on extensive hands-on tests, covering everything from sensor technology to real-world usability across photographic genres. Hopefully, this deep dive clarifies your choice and speeds your way to better shoots.

Happy snapping!