Tough Compact Shootout: Olympus Stylus Tough 6020 vs. Ricoh WG-4

When it comes to rugged waterproof cameras, enthusiasts and pros alike seek durability without sacrificing image quality or functionality. Today, we're diving deep into two tough compacts designed for adventurers and creatives who want to capture memories no matter the elements: the Olympus Stylus Tough 6020 (2010) and the Ricoh WG-4 (2014). Both promise resilience and convenience, but what practical differences set them apart? Which one aligns better with your photography pursuits? Let's explore.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

Handling a rugged camera is about more than just durability - grip, size, and control layout play key roles, especially in active shooting environments.

At first glance, the Olympus looks impressively compact and lightweight - just 122 grams and notably slim. This makes it ideal if pocketability and discreet travel are top priorities. Its footprint is slim enough to tuck away in small bags or even larger coat pockets.

The Ricoh WG-4 is substantially bigger and heavier, tipping the scales at 230 grams. While this adds bulk, the extra size translates into more robust ergonomics. The WG-4’s thicker grip and larger body offer a more confident hold, which you’ll especially appreciate when shooting in wet or cold conditions with gloves on. The control buttons on the Ricoh are more pronounced and spaced out, reducing accidental presses during active use.

Both cameras lack electronic viewfinders; you’ll rely solely on the rear LCD for composition. The Olympus 6020 features a 2.7-inch fixed LCD with relatively low resolution, while the Ricoh sports a 3-inch high-resolution TFT LCD with 460k dots - much sharper and easier to judge focus and framing on bright days.

Ergonomics-wise, the Ricoh’s physical controls give it an edge for manual focus, zoom, and exposure options. Olympus simplifies controls for quick point-and-shoot usability but sacrifices flexibility for experienced shooters.

Sensor and Image Quality: What Can You Expect?

Both cameras use 1/2.3” sensors, a small format common in tough compacts, but they differ in type and resolution - key factors influencing image quality.

Olympus’s CCD sensor was typical for 2010; CCDs tend to deliver excellent color fidelity and pleasant skin tones but struggle with high ISO noise. The 13MP resolution is sufficient for basic large prints and online sharing but limits cropping flexibility.

Ricoh’s WG-4 sports a more modern backside-illuminated CMOS sensor, which excels in low-light performance and higher ISO capability (up to ISO 6400 native). A 16MP resolution offers more detail and cropping potential, a real advantage for wildlife and landscape photographers seeking image flexibility.

In our hands-on testing, the Ricoh consistently produced cleaner images at ISO 800 and above with less chroma noise. Olympus images felt punchy and vibrant at base ISO but noise rose sharply beyond ISO 400, limiting low-light usability.

Dynamic range between the two cameras is modest, as expected for sensor size, but the Ricoh’s newer sensor managed slightly better shadow detail recovery - a plus for landscape shooters capturing scenes with contrasting light.

Built for the Elements: Durability and Weather Sealing

What truly distinguishes these tough cameras is how far they brave the elements.

Both cameras boast impressive water resistance and freezeproof certifications, perfect for underwater adventures, snowy conditions, or rainy hikes. The Ricoh takes the lead with its crushproof rating, meaning it can survive up to 100 kgf of pressure - a trusted companion for more extreme rugged use.

Shockproofing on the Ricoh is rated for 2-meter drops, marginally better than the Olympus at 1.5 meters, beneficial for active outdoor shoots where falls or bumps are not uncommon.

Their sealed control dials and bodies effectively keep out water and dust, enabling worry-free shooting in challenging environments.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Capturing the Moment

Autofocus speed, accuracy, and continuous shooting capabilities are critical, especially for fast-paced subjects like wildlife or sports.

Olympus offers basic autofocus with contrast detection and some multi-area capability, allowing decent focus on static subjects but struggles in low contrast or busy scenes. Its 5 fps burst rate is quite respectable for its time.

Ricoh’s WG-4 adds face detection autofocus and continuous AF modes, enhancing performance on moving subjects and portraits. You also gain manual focus control, critical for macro, landscape, or creative selective focus.

However, the Ricoh’s continuous burst rate is slower at 2 fps, which may be a limitation for sports photographers needing fast frame capture. Still, its tracking AF is savvy enough for casual wildlife or street photography when good focus consistency is key.

Lens and Macro Abilities: Zoom, Aperture, and Close-ups

Lens quality and versatility define your shooting options.

The Olympus’s longer zoom range provides a versatile 28-140mm equivalent focal length, great for travel and casual telephoto shots. By contrast, the Ricoh stretches a bit wider on the short end (25mm), letting you capture more expansive scenes and tighter interiors.

Critically, Ricoh’s brighter f/2.0 aperture at wide angle allows for superior low-light and shallow depth-of-field results. Especially helpful for portraiture where subject isolation and bokeh matter. Olympus caps at f/3.9, limiting creative lens effects in dim environments.

Both cameras excel at close-up macro photography, capable of focusing down to 1 cm, great for photographing insects, textures, or small objects. The manual focus support on Ricoh greatly enhances precision in macro scenarios.

LCD Screens: Visibility and Interface

Having a clear, responsive screen aids your workflow immensely.

The Olympus’s screen feels cramped and dim compared to modern standards. The low 230k dot resolution means it’s challenging to critique focus or exposure in the field, especially under sunlight.

Ricoh’s screen offers nearly double the resolution, promoting clearer previews and menu navigation. Interface menus are more comprehensive too, supporting live histogram display and easy access to bracketing and exposure compensation modes.

Video Capture: Versatility and Quality

Video is a growing dimension of many photographers’ creative repertoire.

The Olympus’s video capabilities are strictly basic HD at 720p. Meanwhile, Ricoh’s WG-4 upgrades to full HD 1080p at 30fps and also offers 720p at 60fps for smoother motion clips. This makes Ricoh a clear choice if video is part of your creative workflow or vlogging.

Neither camera provides external mic inputs, limiting audio quality for serious filmmakers. However, both apply sensor-shift image stabilization to video, minimizing shake during handheld recording and improving usable footage.

Battery Life and Storage: Shooting Without Worry

Extended shooting sessions require dependable battery endurance and flexible storage.

While Olympus doesn’t provide published battery life figures, users report moderate endurance suitable for casual day shoots. Ricoh’s rated 240 shots per charge places it among the better performers in this category, allowing a full day of moderate shooting.

Both cameras rely on standard SD cards, with Ricoh adding support for the more modern SDXC standard - a boon if you shoot HD video or high-res images demanding large storage cards.

Price and Value: What Are You Paying For?

At face value, the Olympus 6020 is roughly $50 cheaper. However, the Ricoh WG-4 offers improvements in sensor technology, lens brightness, video quality, and ruggedness that justify the premium. If your budget is tight and you want simply durable snapshots, Olympus remains viable.

For photographers valuing image quality, creative options, and more sophisticated features, the additional investment in the Ricoh pays off handsomely.

How They Stack Up in Real-World Photography Genres

Olympus 6020 front Olympus 6020 screen back Ricoh WG 4 front Ricoh WG 4 screen back

Here’s a breakdown of each camera’s strengths and shortcomings across popular photographic disciplines, based on our extensive testing and experience.

Final Scores: Objective Ratings Based on Multiple Metrics

The overall impression from our testing metrics and field experience:

Who Should Choose Which Camera?

Pick the Olympus Stylus Tough 6020 if:

• You want a truly lightweight, pocketable rugged camera.
• Casual underwater snapshots or day hikes are your typical use.
• Budget is tighter and you want simple point-and-shoot ease.
• You shoot mostly at base ISO and want decent autofocus for static scenes.

Choose the Ricoh WG-4 if:

• You prioritize image quality, especially in low light.
• Manual focus, face detection AF, and exposure control matter.
• You want full HD video with stabilization.
• You need a camera that can survive heavy-duty abuse (crushproof, deeper waterproof rating).
• Budget allows a modest premium for advanced features.

Getting Started and Tips for Making the Most of These Cameras

• For both models, invest in high-quality SD cards (Class 10 or better) to optimize photo and video handling.
• Consider extra batteries if your adventures extend beyond a single charge.
• Experiment with macro mode and manual focus on the Ricoh for creative close-ups.
• Use sensor-shift image stabilization to your advantage for handheld shots in low light.
• When shooting underwater, try manual exposure bracketing on Ricoh for better highlight/shadow retention.
• Post-process images thoughtfully to compensate for limited dynamic range.

Conclusion: Matching Toughness to Your Creativity

Both the Olympus Stylus Tough 6020 and Ricoh WG-4 deliver rugged portability for the adventurous photographer, but they cater to subtly different needs. The Olympus is a nimble, straightforward shooter excellent for casual explorers valuing compactness. The Ricoh, meanwhile, offers advanced features, improved image quality, and robustness that serve more demanding photographers willing to carry a bit more weight.

As always, hands-on testing remains invaluable. If possible, handle these cameras in-store or try rentals to get a feel for their ergonomics and menus. Whichever you choose, these models highlight that durable, adventure-ready cameras can be both technically capable and fun to shoot.

Embark on your next expedition with confidence and capture every moment with gear built for the journey!

Ready to take the plunge? Check out accessory options like rugged camera cases and multi-charging kits. Explore sample galleries online to see real-world results from each camera before making your final pick. Happy shooting!