Clicky

Olympus SZ-15 vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Ricoh WG-4 GPS front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41

Olympus SZ-15 vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS Key Specs

Olympus SZ-15
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
  • Launched June 2013
Ricoh WG-4 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 235g - 124 x 64 x 33mm
  • Released February 2014
  • Renewed by Ricoh WG-5 GPS
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Olympus SZ-15 vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Olympus SZ-15 versus Ricoh WG-4 GPS, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Waterproof by brands Olympus and Ricoh. The image resolution of the SZ-15 (16MP) and the WG-4 GPS (16MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels

The SZ-15 was brought out 7 months earlier than the WG-4 GPS so they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the SZ-15 grades versus the WG-4 GPS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Ricoh WG-4 GPS

 SZ-15 WG-4 GPS 

Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-4 GPS over the Olympus SZ-15

 WG-4 GPS SZ-15 
ReleasedFebruary 2014June 2013Fresher by 7 months

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Ricoh WG-4 GPS

 SZ-15 WG-4 GPS 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Display resolution460k460kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Olympus SZ-15 vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-15 has external dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Ricoh WG-4 GPS has dimensions of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-15 versus Ricoh WG-4 GPS in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ-15 vs the WG-4 GPS.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-15 and WG-4 GPS is 88 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to envision the gap between sensor sizing purely by checking technical specs. The graphic below will help give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-15 and WG-4 GPS.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same exact resolution so you can expect similar quality of pictures however you would want to take the age of the products into consideration. The older SZ-15 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-15 vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Portrait photography information
Ricoh WG-4 GPS Portrait photography information
44
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has face detect focusing
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
41
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
supports face detection autofocus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Street photography camera
Ricoh WG-4 GPS as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (250 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
59
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than competition in class (235 grams)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Sports photography details
Ricoh WG-4 GPS Sports photography details
53
long zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
45
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proof
max frames per second very slow (2.0 fps)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (240 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-15
Travel photography with Ricoh WG-4 GPS
68
lighter than average in class (250 grams)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (23mm)
long reach (483mm)
no Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
69
environment proof
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery power (240 CIPA)
more heavy than competition in class (235g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Landscape photography info
Ricoh WG-4 GPS Landscape photography info
49
you can focus manually
really wide (23mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Timelapse recording
54
focusing manually
decently wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
environment proof
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
no manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
not so great battery power (240 shots)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Vlogging highlights
Ricoh WG-4 GPS Vlogging highlights
34
really wide (23mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (250g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
no microphone support
34
decently wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone socket
more heavy than competition in class (235g)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Olympus SZ-15 vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Ricoh WG-4 GPS
 Olympus SZ-15Ricoh WG-4 GPS
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Ricoh
Model type Olympus SZ-15 Ricoh WG-4 GPS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2013-06-21 2014-02-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 23-483mm (21.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 10.00 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye, on + redeye
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 250g (0.55 lbs) 235g (0.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 240 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID SLB-10A D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $200 $210