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Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh WG-30W

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Ricoh WG-30W front
Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh WG-30W Key Specs

Olympus SZ-12
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Launched January 2012
Ricoh WG-30W
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 194g - 123 x 62 x 30mm
  • Revealed October 2014
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh WG-30W Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Olympus SZ-12 versus Ricoh WG-30W, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by companies Olympus and Ricoh. The resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the WG-30W (16MP) is very similar and both cameras posses the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was announced 3 years before the WG-30W which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a short summary of how the SZ-12 grades vs the WG-30W with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Ricoh WG-30W

 SZ-12 WG-30W 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-30W over the Olympus SZ-12

 WG-30W SZ-12 
RevealedOctober 2014January 2012Newer by 33 months

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Ricoh WG-30W

 SZ-12 WG-30W 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh WG-30W Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-12 enjoys outside measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Ricoh WG-30W has dimensions of 123mm x 62mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 194 grams (0.43 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-12 versus Ricoh WG-30W in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the SZ-12 compared to the WG-30W.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh WG-30W size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-12 and WG-30W is 89 and 91 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh WG-30W top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh WG-30W Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to envision the gap between sensor dimensions purely by going over specifications. The picture underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-12 and WG-30W.

Plainly, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Ricoh WG-30W to offer greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The more aged SZ-12 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh WG-30W sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh WG-30W Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh WG-30W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Portrait photography camera
Ricoh WG-30W as a Portrait photography camera
33
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
35
megapixel count decent (16MP)
supports face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Street photography camera
Ricoh WG-30W as a Street photography camera
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
61
built in image stabilization (Digital)
environment sealing
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-12
Sports photography with Ricoh WG-30W
40
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (220 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
45
built in image stabilization (Digital)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
environment sealing
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography information
Ricoh WG-30W Travel photography information
65
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
low battery (220 shots)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
71
environment sealing
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography advice
Ricoh WG-30W Landscape photography advice
40
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
low battery (220 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
43
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Digital)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
environment sealing
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-12
Vlogging with Ricoh WG-30W
31
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focus
lighter than competition in class (226g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic support
33
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Digital)
supports face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic port
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh WG-30W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Ricoh WG-30W
 Olympus SZ-12Ricoh WG-30W
General Information
Company Olympus Ricoh
Model Olympus SZ-12 Ricoh WG-30W
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2012-01-10 2014-10-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range - 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 3.90 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 grams (0.50 pounds) 194 grams (0.43 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 123 x 62 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 photos 300 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $350 $280