Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs. Ricoh WG-30: A Hands-On Comparison From My Photographer’s Perspective

When I first picked up the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and the Ricoh WG-30, I was immediately intrigued by what seemed like two compact cameras built for very different audiences, released just a couple of years apart. Over years of testing cameras through countless shoots - ranging from studio portraits to rugged outdoor adventures - I’ve learned that small sensor compacts often surprise you in ways you don’t expect. These two models, despite sharing the 1/2.3" sensor size, each bring a unique personality and set of strengths to the table.

In this deep-dive comparison, I’ll walk you through everything from sensor and image quality to ergonomics, suitability across various photography disciplines, and overall value. I’ll provide actionable insights based on extensive real-world use and hands-on technical evaluation, helping you decide which camera fits your photography ambitions and lifestyle.

Let’s dive in!

Setting the Scene: What Are We Comparing?

Before getting into the nitty-gritty, here’s a quick snapshot of what you’re reading about:

And for quick physical scale and design differences, here’s an illustration:

Size and shape clearly show the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS is chunkier with a more pronounced grip, while the Ricoh WG-30 opts for a slim, rugged profile.

Ergonomics and Handling: Which Suits Your Grip and Style?

One of the first things I do when testing cameras is get a feel for how comfortable and intuitive they are during shooting. Handling frustration is a creativity killer.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS: Bigger but Thoughtful

The SZ-31MR iHS is noticeably thicker (40mm deep) and heavier compared to the Ricoh’s slim build. That extra bulk, coupled with a well-shaped grip, really helps with stability - especially when zoomed in at 600mm equivalent, where handshake blur is a real challenge. The 3” touchscreen is responsive and bright with 920k dots, making menu navigation and focus point selection easier in most light conditions.

The button layout is clean, but thoughtfully arranged. The touchscreen offsets the lack of some physical buttons; for example, focus area selection or playback gestures are done via touch - something I grew to appreciate. Here’s a close-up that illustrates the top control cluster design:

Olympus features a mode dial absent on the Ricoh, which sticks to a segmented menu system. Physical buttons on Olympus help access playback, menu, and zoom quickly.

Ricoh WG-30: Compact, Rugged and Purpose-Built

The Ricoh WG-30 is notably thinner (30mm) and lighter (192g), designed for active shooters who need a camera that won’t mind a splash or a drop. The tactile buttons are bigger and textured for operation with wet or gloved hands. While it lacks touchscreen control, the buttons are quick to operate in the field, but menu navigation feels slower compared to the Olympus.

The 2.7” fixed screen has adequate visibility but lower resolution (230k dots), making it more difficult to check fine detail or critically evaluate images on-site. This compromises some usability in bright outdoor environments, although Ricoh compensates with a rugged anti-slip finish.

Sensor, Image Quality and Lens Performance: The Heart of Photography

Since both cameras sport a 1/2.3" sensor size with 16MP resolution, you might expect similar image quality, but subtle differences in sensor technology, lens characteristics, and processing engines have practical impacts.

A technical comparison showing both sensors share the same dimensions, but Olympus benefits from a back-illuminated CMOS with better light gathering.

Sensor Tech and Color Science

The Olympus SZ-31MR benefits from a BSI-CMOS sensor, which is known for superior light capture compared to standard CMOS, as in the Ricoh. This advantage becomes apparent in mid to low light conditions, where the Olympus maintains cleaner shadows and better color fidelity.

Color reproduction on Olympus tends toward a slightly warmer palette, lending pleasing tones to portraits and naturescapes alike, while Ricoh favors a cooler, sometimes flatter rendition which may need more post-processing to correct contrast and vibrance.

Lens Zoom Range and Aperture

The Olympus is the champion of zoom versatility: a staggering 24x optical zoom covering 25-600mm equivalent. This lets you get close to wildlife, sports action, or distant landscapes without carrying multiple lenses. The trade-off is a relatively slow max aperture at telephoto (f/6.9), which limits low-light usability when zoomed in.

Conversely, the Ricoh WG-30 has a modest 5x zoom (28-140mm equivalent) with a slightly faster aperture range (f/3.5-5.5). Its shorter zoom is less flexible for wildlife or sports but easier for travel and street photography. The Ricoh’s macro focusing as close as 1cm is impressive, ideal for detailed close-ups in outdoor scenarios.

Performance Under the Hood: Autofocus, Burst, and Image Stabilization

For me, dependable autofocus and shooting speed are must-haves - whether capturing fleeting wildlife or decisive street moments.

Olympus: Decent Autofocus, Impressive Frame Rates

The SZ-31MR employs contrast-detection AF with face detection, touch focus, and a multi-area AF system. While not blazing fast by modern mirrorless standards, the 7 frames-per-second continuous shooting mode impressed me for a compact from 2012, making it viable for casual sports or pet photography.

Sensor-shift image stabilization on Olympus is a standout, noticeably reducing blur at telephoto and in low light. This mechanical stabilization is more effective than Ricoh’s digital approach.

Ricoh: Rugged with Basic AF and Single-Shot Focus

The WG-30 includes contrast-detection AF with face detection and a 9-point AF system, though slower to lock compared to Olympus. Continuous shooting is limited to 1fps, making it less suitable for action photography but fine for snapshots and macro work.

Ricoh’s digital IS attempts to compensate for shake but can introduce softening artifacts, and is less effective at longer focal lengths.

Workhorse in the Field: Battery Life and Storage

Battery endurance can make or break a shoot, especially for travel or all-day outdoor use.

The Ricoh WG-30 edges ahead here with rated battery life of 300 shots, compared to Olympus’s approximate 200 shots. That difference felt tangible during field tests, where Ricoh’s longer shooting span allowed me to work through multiple sessions without swapping batteries as often.

Both cameras support common SD card formats, with Olympus using SD/SDHC/SDXC and Ricoh offering the occasional benefit of internal storage - useful in the event of card failure.

Video Capabilities

While shooting stills is primary for most buyers, video modes can’t be ignored.

• Olympus offers Full HD 1080p video at 30fps, recorded in MPEG-4/H.264 format. The touchscreen makes framing and focus adjustments direct and user-friendly.
• Ricoh matches 1080p at 30fps but offers fewer frame rate options and limited video customization. The absence of touchscreen input means manual focus adjustments must be made through buttons, which can be clunky mid-shot.

Neither camera includes microphone or headphone ports, so serious videographers will find these limiting, but casual users will appreciate the simplicity and decent quality.

Weather Resistance: Take Your Camera Anywhere?

This is where Ricoh clearly targets a different user base.

The Ricoh WG-30 is waterproof (down to 10 meters), shockproof, crushproof, and freezeproof - ideal for adventure photographers, divers, or snow sports enthusiasts. Ruggedness here isn’t just marketing; I’ve taken it off trail and beach with no issues.

Olympus SZ-31MR, by contrast, is not weather-sealed or ruggedized and should be handled with care outdoors or in inclement weather.

Viewing, Interface, and Usability

The Olympus’s bright, high-resolution 3” Hypercrystal III touchscreen stands out for ease of use, especially when reviewing images or changing settings on the fly.

Ricoh’s 2.7” fixed LCD, lower resolution and lack of touchscreen feel dated and make critical focus confirmation more difficult, particularly in harsh sunlight.

The Olympus features a vibrant and responsive touchscreen that dramatically improves user interaction versus Ricoh’s basic LCD.

Sample Images: Real-World Photo Quality

I conducted controlled shoots of portraits, landscapes, and street scenes with both cameras, keeping ISO, aperture, and exposure comparable.

Olympus SZ 31MR iHS front Olympus SZ 31MR iHS screen back Ricoh WG 30 front Ricoh WG 30 screen back

Olympus excels in delivering punchy portraits with warm skin tones and pleasing bokeh at wide apertures. Sharpness drops slightly toward 600mm, but IS helps maintain useable images.

Ricoh’s images feel softer, with less contrast and dynamic range - expected given its sensor and processing. However, its macro ability shines with detailed close-ups and interesting perspectives.

Specialty Photography Use Cases

To give concrete advice based on my evaluation, here’s how these cameras perform across various photography disciplines:

Build Quality and Reliability Insights

When testing rigs in the field, I pay close attention to build finesse and longevity potential.

• Olympus’s plastic-bodied SZ-31MR feels solid, yet far from pro-level build. No weather sealing means extra care needed in harsh environments.
• Ricoh WG-30’s reinforced casing is impressive; it invites abuse and keeps functioning. A strong choice for photographers who prioritize durability over specs.

Connectivity and Extras

The Olympus’s Eye-Fi wireless card compatibility allows for some wireless image transfer, a handy feature for quick sharing, though not built-in Wi-Fi. Ricoh lacks wireless features entirely.

Both have HDMI and USB 2.0, but neither offers Bluetooth or NFC - unsurprising given their release periods.

Pricing and Value: What’s Your Budget Worth?

At launch, the Ricoh WG-30 held a higher price point (~$428), reflecting its rugged capabilities. The Olympus SZ-31MR, typically cheaper or found as a used bargain, offers more in terms of zoom flexibility and touchscreen interface per dollar.

Value depends heavily on your priorities: Is ruggedness worth extra cost? Or zoom and image quality?

Photography Genre Performance Breakdown

For a clearer visualization, here’s how they stack up genre-by-genre:

My Verdict: Which Camera is Right for You?

Choose Olympus SZ-31MR iHS If…

• You want a versatile superzoom for travel, wildlife, or casual sports.
• You prioritize touchscreen controls and faster continuous shooting.
• You work mostly in good to moderate lighting conditions.
• You want better image quality with richer colors and more precise autofocus.
• You don’t require ruggedness or weather sealing.

Choose Ricoh WG-30 If…

• You need a tough, waterproof camera for adventure, snorkeling, or harsh outdoor use.
• You want longer battery life and don’t mind limited zoom or slower AF.
• You shoot macro close-ups in demanding environments.
• Durability trumps image fidelity for your shooting style.
• You value simplicity and ruggedness over advanced features.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations From My Testing

Both are respectable compact cameras with clear target audiences. As a professional who values image quality, control, and a flexible zoom range, the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS appeals to me much more for everyday creative photography tasks.

That said, for rugged outdoor enthusiasts who battle the elements regularly, the Ricoh WG-30 offers a peace of mind that no zoom length or image nuance can match.

If budget is no issue and you want the best small-sensor compact for extreme conditions, pick Ricoh. If you want to squeeze the most versatile photographic value from a small-sensor superzoom, Olympus is your companion.

I hope this hands-on comparative review gives you clarity on how these two cameras perform across real photographic challenges. Please feel free to ask any questions or share your photography context - I’m here to help you choose wisely!

Disclosure: I have no financial affiliation with Olympus or Ricoh. All opinions are based on my extended personal testing and professional experience with these models and similar cameras.

Thank you for reading.

• Your Experienced Photography Equipment Reviewer