Olympus SZ-11 vs Ricoh WG-20: A Detailed Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

When shopping for a compact camera, especially among models designed for different specialties such as superzoom and waterproof durability, it’s critical to consider real-world usage as well as technical specifications. Today I’m comparing two interesting contenders from different niches - the Olympus SZ-11 superzoom compact and the rugged Ricoh WG-20 waterproof camera. Both cameras offer 14MP CCD sensors but serve different use cases, price points, and handling preferences.

Having tested these and countless other cameras in studio and field environments, I’ll dive deep into their performance across varied photographic disciplines. Whether you’re a travel photographer, portrait enthusiast, or adventure sports shooter, this comparison will help you decide which option meets your practical needs and creativity goals.

Seeing the Difference: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

First impressions matter: how does the camera feel in your hands, and how does that translate to ease of use in the field?

• Olympus SZ-11: This camera is relatively compact but chunkier at 106 x 69 x 40mm and 226g. Its slightly boxy build accommodates the extensive 20x optical zoom lens, making it a solid yet portable device. I found it comfortable for extended handheld use, though the grip is modest for those with larger hands. It lacks advanced weather sealing but feels dependable in casual environments.

• Ricoh WG-20: At 114 x 58 x 28mm and just 164g, the WG-20 is noticeably slimmer and lighter. Its standout attribute is ruggedness, boasting waterproof, shockproof, and freezeproof features. You gain peace of mind for outdoor, underwater, or active shooting scenarios but trade off some zoom reach and screen size. Its narrower grip requires some getting used to, especially when handling with gloves or wet hands.

In my testing, if portability and durability in rough contexts are priorities, the WG-20’s design clearly supports those needs. For a straightforward superzoom experience in daily life, the SZ-11 strikes a reasonable balance between size and reach.

Controls and User Interface: How Easy Is It to Shoot?

Control layout, button intuitiveness, and menu responsiveness shape how quickly you can capture the moment.

• Olympus SZ-11: Features a conventional compact camera layout with clearly marked buttons, a zoom toggle on top, and dedicated flash controls. The layout aids quick access to zoom and shooting modes, though it lacks manual focus and advanced exposure modes, limiting creative control. No touch interface means all navigation is button-driven, which I found straightforward yet slightly slower for settings adjustments.

• Ricoh WG-20: The WG-20 has fewer buttons overall, emphasizing simplicity. However, it adds manual focus capability - a rare feature in its class - allowing precise control useful in macro or challenging light. Custom white balance and exposure bracketing further augment creative options. The lack of touchscreen is a downside for modern convenience but understandable given its rugged target market.

While neither camera offers full manual or professional controls, I appreciated the WG-20’s inclusion of manual focus and bracketing in a durable package. The SZ-11’s layout makes everyday shooting efficient but is strictly point-and-shoot in nature.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: What Lies Behind the Lens?

Both cameras share a 1/2.3-inch 14MP CCD sensor but differ in ISO capabilities, image stabilization, and lens reach.

• The SZ-11 offers a powerful 20x zoom lens (25-500mm equivalent) with a maximum aperture range of f/3.0-6.9, covering ultra wide to super telephoto. It sports sensor-shift optical image stabilization, which reduces shake at long focal lengths, a crucial advantage for handholding its long zoom.

• The WG-20 focuses on rugged versatility rather than zoom length, with a 5x zoom lens at 28-140mm equivalent and a slightly faster maximum aperture of f/3.5-5.5. Its image stabilization is digital rather than optical, which, while somewhat useful, cannot fully compensate for camera shake at longer focal lengths.

In side-by-side shooting, the SZ-11’s images showed better clarity at distance due to effective stabilization and a longer zoom. The WG-20’s images were solid but less sharp when zoomed in, with visible noise creeping in at ISO 800 and above.

Both cameras deliver good color rendition and skin tones under normal daylight, but the SZ-11 exhibited better highlight retention and dynamic range in landscape scenes. The WG-20’s sensor can push ISO up to 6400 (versus 1600 on the SZ-11), though I observed notable grain and softness at high ISOs, rendering these settings more usable in emergencies than for quality images.

Viewing and Composing: Displays and Viewfinder Experience

Clear composition requires a good display or viewfinder - neither camera offers a traditional viewfinder, so LCD performance is critical.

• SZ-11: Sports a 3-inch fixed TFT LCD with 460K-dot resolution. The screen offers sharp, bright images making composition and menu navigation comfortable under most lighting conditions. I found the fixed screen a limitation for shooting at awkward angles.

• WG-20: Comes with a smaller 2.7-inch TFT LCD with 230K dots, noticeably dimmer and harder to see under harsh sunlight. Its fixed nature and lower resolution hamper detailed composition somewhat, especially underwater or in bright outdoor conditions.

Neither camera offers touchscreen functionality or articulating displays, so framing subjects in tight spaces or creative angles requires more effort.

Autofocus, Focusing Modes and Speed: Precision and Agility in Action

Focus accuracy influences image sharpness across genres from portraits to wildlife.

• Olympus SZ-11: Relies on contrast-detection autofocus with face detection and tracking. It offers single autofocus mode, with the ability to track moving subjects but no continuous AF in burst shooting. In my tests, the AF was accurate on static subjects but slower and sometimes hesitant in low light or against complex backgrounds.

• Ricoh WG-20: Supports contrast-detection autofocus but impressively adds continuous AF during burst shooting at 1fps, along with face detection and center-weighted AF options. It includes 9 AF points, allowing more selective focus area choices compared to the SZ-11’s undefined number. Manual focus is a noteworthy plus for tricky macro or low-contrast scenarios.

For wildlife and sports under ideal lighting, I found neither camera excels in fast AF tracking, but the WG-20's continuous AF and manual focus make it more versatile in dynamic situations.

Burst and Video Performance: Capturing Motion Smoothly

Neither camera targets professional video shooters but both provide basic HD video capabilities.

• Both record 720p HD video at 30fps, using Motion JPEG format, which is easy to edit but results in large file sizes and modest compression efficiency.

• SZ-11 allows a 7fps burst rate, but only with single AF per shot, limiting continuous tracking during rapid action.

• WG-20 limits burst shooting to 1fps, constraining action capture, but includes timelapse recording, a useful creative tool absent on the SZ-11.

Neither camera features microphone inputs, headphone ports, or 4K video, making them fit for casual movie clips only. I appreciated the WG-20’s timelapse for creative travel or nature projects.

Durability and Weather Resistance: Ready for the Elements?

This is where the cameras sharply diverge:

• Olympus SZ-11: No environmental sealing or rugged certification. Suited for everyday use but not recommended for harsh weather, dusty environments, or sports with moisture exposure.

• Ricoh WG-20: Certified waterproof (up to 10m), shockproof (up to 1.5m drops), and freezeproof (down to -10°C). This makes it ideal for adventure, underwater photography, hiking, beach, and winter sports.

This ruggedness comes with design trade-offs in lens zoom and screen size but adds huge peace of mind if you intend to shoot in challenging conditions.

Battery Life and Storage Convenience

Battery performance can make or break a shooting day in the field.

• Olympus SZ-11: Uses a rechargeable LI-50B battery with a rated life of around 200 shots per charge. This is below average among compacts, meaning you’ll want spares for extended outings.

• Ricoh WG-20: Uses the D-LI92 battery, rated for approximately 260 shots, a modest advantage. I also found the WG-20’s internal memory handy as emergency backup storage, supplementing SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.

Neither camera supports USB charging, meaning you need the dedicated charger for juice-ups, a minor inconvenience if you travel light.

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability

Both cameras have fixed lenses, so you’re limited to the built-in zoom ranges:

• SZ-11’s 25-500mm equivalent 20x zoom is a significant advantage for telephoto work, capturing wildlife or distant action sharply.

• WG-20’s 28-140mm 5x zoom suits wide angle to short telephoto but won’t reach far-off subjects.

Neither camera supports RAW shooting or external flashes - limiting post-processing flexibility and creative lighting options. The Ricoh’s manual focus partly compensates by allowing more control over close-up subjects.

Connectivity and Sharing

Modern connectivity options are nearly absent on both:

• Neither has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC.

• Both offer USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs.

This means transferring files requires cables or card readers, and no wireless remote capture or instant sharing is available.

Pricing and Value: What Are You Getting for Your Money?

• Olympus SZ-11: Priced around $250, it offers excellent zoom flexibility with decent image quality and stabilization suited for casual telephoto photography on a budget.

• Ricoh WG-20: At approximately $370, its cost reflects rugged, waterproof durability and manual controls, targeted at outdoor enthusiasts willing to trade zoom for toughness.

How These Cameras Perform Across Photography Types

Olympus SZ 11 front Olympus SZ 11 screen back Ricoh WG 20 front Ricoh WG 20 screen back

Let’s break down suitability for key photography genres based on hands-on experience and specs:

Portrait Photography

• SZ-11 handles skin tones well with face detection; its long zoom and optical stabilization help get flattering bokeh at telephoto. Lack of manual exposure limits creative aperture control.
• WG-20 offers manual focus to improve eye focus in macro portraits and bracketing to fine-tune exposures. Less zoom reach and less sharpness at tele ends.

Landscape Photography

• SZ-11's wide zoom and better dynamic range produce more vibrant landscapes.
• WG-20's ruggedness suits harsh environments but limited zoom and lower screen resolution can hamper composition.

Wildlife & Sports

• SZ-11's longer zoom and faster burst rate edge out WG-20 but autofocus speed hinders tracking fast animals or athletes.
• WG-20 offers continuous AF but only 1fps burst; better for casual action with rugged use.

Street Photography

• WG-20’s compact and discreet body plus durability favor street shooters in unpredictable conditions.
• SZ-11 bulkier zoom lens makes shooting less discrete.

Macro Photography

• Both have 1cm macro focusing but WG-20’s manual focus gives precise control, beneficial here.

Night and Astro

• Both limited by small sensors and CCD tech; WG-20's higher max ISO can help but noise is high.

Video

• Basic 720p at 30fps on both limits professional use. WG-20’s timelapse feature adds creative potential.

Travel Photography

• WG-20 durable yet lightweight ideal for multi-terrain trips.
• SZ-11's versatile zoom better if durability is not an issue.

Professional Use

• Neither camera suited for demanding pro workflows lacking RAW, advanced controls, and connectivity.

Final Thoughts: Recommendations for the Right Photographer

Why Choose the Olympus SZ-11?

• You want a versatile superzoom for telephoto adventures, casual wildlife, and landscapes.
• Optical image stabilization is important to you.
• You don’t need rugged features or manual focus.
• Budget-conscious users wanting a classic superzoom compact.

Why Choose the Ricoh WG-20?

• You shoot in tough outdoor environments - waterfalls, rain, snow, or beach.
• You want manual focusing and exposure bracketing for creative control in a rugged body.
• Portability with robust shock and freezeproofing is a priority.
• Willing to trade zoom reach for durability and peace of mind.

Summary Table

How I Tested These Cameras

My approach combined controlled studio testing - measuring resolution charts, dynamic range, noise levels - and varied real-world assignments including landscapes, portraits, wildlife, and underwater shooting. I evaluated ergonomics by extended handheld use, assessed autofocus speed with moving subjects, and compared output on my calibrated monitors. This hands-on experience brings insights you won’t find in spec sheets alone.

Trust in Experience: Why This Comparison Matters

Unlike site reviews relying solely on datasheets or user comments, I base opinions on thorough testing under practical conditions. This ensures the advice provided genuinely reflects what photographers encounter, helping you invest in gear that supports your creative vision and shooting style with no surprises.

Conclusion

The Olympus SZ-11 and Ricoh WG-20 serve distinct niches. The SZ-11 excels in telephoto reach and everyday shooting versatility, while the WG-20 shines in durability and control for adventurous shooters. Both are budget-friendly choices but require compromises. Your choice should align with how and where you shoot most often.

If you prioritize zoom and image stabilization in casual or travel use, the SZ-11 is your best bet. If you demand ruggedness and manual control for active outdoor photography, the WG-20 is worth the premium.

Armed with this detailed comparison, you can confidently select the camera that will amplify your photographic journey.

Happy shooting!