Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Ricoh WG-20

Battle of the Waterproof Compacts: Olympus TG-850 iHS vs. Ricoh WG-20 – Which One Suits Your Adventures?

When it comes to rugged, waterproof compacts, Olympus and Ricoh have long been contenders catering to outdoor enthusiasts, travelers, and anyone needing a camera that won’t quit when the elements get tough. Today, I’m diving deep into a direct comparison between the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS and the Ricoh WG-20. Both were launched around early 2014, targeting similar uses but with noticeably different approaches in design, features, and capabilities.

Having tested thousands of cameras, especially in challenging environments, I’m excited to dissect these two for you - focusing on real-world usability, image quality, and how they perform across a broad spectrum of shooting scenarios. Whether you’re a hiker planning your next trek, a casual beach photographer, or someone who craves versatility in harsh conditions, this side-by-side will equip you with the insights you need.

Getting a Feel for the Cameras: Size, Ergonomics, and Design

Right out of the gate, size and comfort matter, especially when you’re hauling gear on adventures. The Olympus TG-850 iHS measures 110 x 64 x 28 mm and weighs 218 grams, while the Ricoh WG-20 is a bit thinner at 114 x 58 x 28 mm and lighter at 164 grams. On paper, the Ricoh is sleeker, but size doesn’t tell the whole story.

Holding both, you immediately notice the TG-850’s chunkier grip and more pronounced ergonomic shaping, designed to be held comfortably even with gloves or wet hands - a huge plus for cold or wet-weather shooters. The Ricoh’s slimmer profile makes it pocket-friendlier but slightly less grippy. For underwater or rugged hiking, I prefer Olympus’s more confident grip.

Another vital design factor is the control layout, because ease of use under pressure can make or break your shoot.

The TG-850 offers a clean, intuitive control cluster - buttons are well-spaced and clearly marked. The dedicated zoom lever surrounding the shutter is responsive and precise. The Ricoh seems more minimalistic, which might appeal if you want straightforward operation, but its smaller buttons demand more fiddling, especially if your fingers are wet or if you wear gloves.

In sum, if you prioritize robust handling and quick-access controls for outdoor use, Olympus clearly pulls ahead in this department. If compactness and minimal footprint are your main priorities, Ricoh might edge ahead.

Under the Hood: Sensor Technology, Resolution, and Image Quality

Let’s get technical - image quality is king after all, and for cameras this size and category, sensor performance is always a trade-off. Both cameras sport 1/2.3” sensors, measuring roughly 6.17 x 4.55 mm with an overall sensor area of about 28 mm² - fairly standard for waterproof compacts.

However, their sensor types differ: Olympus employs a backside-illuminated CMOS (BSI-CMOS) sensor with 16 megapixels, while Ricoh uses a CCD sensor with slightly fewer pixels at 14 megapixels. From my experience, CMOS sensors generally outperform CCDs in terms of noise handling and dynamic range, especially in low light. The BSI structure also enhances light gathering efficiency, which translates into cleaner images and better performance at higher ISOs.

Detail-wise, the TG-850's 16MP counts for higher pixel density, but squeeze too much from a small sensor and image noise creeps in. Still, Olympus’s newer sensor and TruePic VII processor allow it to maintain better sharpness and keep noise under control up to ISO 800 effectively.

Ricoh’s CCD, while known for pleasing colors, struggles a bit with noise above ISO 400, reflecting slightly softer images and less dynamic range. Both cameras lack RAW support, meaning you can’t fall back on post-processing adjustments for recovered highlights or noise reduction - a limitation for serious shooters.

Overall, TG-850 wins on sensor tech and image fidelity, important if you’re planning varied shooting scenarios with some unpredictable lighting.

Viewing Your Shots: Screens and Interface

On compact cameras without viewfinders, rear LCD quality is crucial for framing, focusing, and reviewing shots.

Olympus offers a 3-inch tilting TFT LCD with 460k-dot resolution, while Ricoh’s screen is smaller at 2.7 inches and only 230k dots, and it’s fixed - no tilting option. That tilting screen on the TG-850 lets you compose from high or low angles without contorting your body, a nifty advantage when shooting waterfalls, underwater life, or creative perspectives.

The higher resolution LCD of Olympus also makes it easier to confirm focus or check detail when zoomed in on playback. The Ricoh’s screen gets the job done but feels a touch cramped and less sharp, which can be frustrating in bright daylight or when shooting fast.

Menus on both cameras are fairly straightforward, though Olympus’s interface benefits from its more modern processor - menus feel snappier and less buried. Ricoh’s is serviceable but occasionally slow to register selections.

For anyone who relies heavily on live view and outdoor shooting, Olympus delivers here.

Autofocus and Manual Control: How Quick and Precise Are They?

Both cameras rely on contrast-detection autofocus systems. The TG-850 features touchless autofocus with face detection and continuous autofocus tracking - not bad for a tough compact. Ricoh, on the other hand, adds manual focus capability, something you don’t see often at this price and category.

Olympus has various AF modes including single, continuous, tracking, and face detection, while Ricoh’s AF modes include single, continuous, and multi-area but lacks face detection or tracking.

In real-world use, the TG-850’s autofocus feels nimbler, locking focus quickly on subjects and adjusting smoothly during tracking sequences - this shines during casual wildlife or sports snaps. The Ricoh’s slower AF combined with only a single shot per burst and no continuous autofocus tracking makes it less suited for action shots.

The inclusion of manual focus on the WG-20 is a double-edged sword. It gives you creative control in tricky macro or low-contrast situations, but given the small LCD and lack of focus peaking aids, achieving precise focus is challenging without additional experience or patience.

So, if you want agility and reliability in autofocus, TG-850 is your pick. If manual override is essential and you don’t mind slower AF, Ricoh covers you there.

Zoom and Macro Capabilities: Versatility in Framing Close and Distant

Both cameras offer a 5x optical zoom, yet their focal length ranges differ slightly:

• Olympus TG-850: 21-105 mm (35mm equivalent)
• Ricoh WG-20: 28-140 mm (35mm equivalent)

The Ricoh’s longer telephoto reach extends your framing options for wildlife or distant details, but Olympus’s wider starting focal length is better for landscapes and indoor shots where you want to capture more scene.

Looking at macro, Ricoh shines with a suggested 1 cm macro focusing capability - impressive for a compact. This lets you get very close to your subjects, excellent for capturing flowers, insects, or small textures. Olympus doesn’t specify an exact macro range but isn’t as aggressive in close focusing distance.

The trade-off? Ricoh uses digital image stabilization, while Olympus employs optical stabilization - optical is generally more effective and maintains full resolution without cropping. For handheld telephoto shots or macro, Olympus’s stabilization means sharper images without tripod dependency.

So, if macro photography or telephoto reach is your priority under waterproof conditions, WG-20 takes a slight edge; for general-day zoom flexibility and stabilization, TG-850 is better.

Video Recording: How Do They Measure Up for Moving Images?

For many users, waterproof compact cameras double as simple video recorders for vacations, snorkeling, or casual events.

TG-850 supports Full HD video at 1920 x 1080 pixels at 60p and 30p frame rates, with H.264 compression - a modern codec producing better quality at smaller file sizes. Ricoh tops out at 720p HD video at 30p, encoded as Motion JPEG, contributing to much larger files and less efficient compression.

Neither camera offers 4K video or external microphone inputs, limiting them to casual video capture. However, Olympus’s higher resolution and high frame rate slow-motion modes give you more creative options, such as capturing fast-moving water or wildlife in fluid detail.

Image stabilization helps retain smooth footage underwater or while hiking; optical IS on TG-850 offers superior handheld video stability compared to Ricoh’s digital IS, which can crop and artifact the edges.

Neither camera has advanced video features like zebra patterns or focus peaking, but Olympus pulls ahead for overall video quality and usability.

Waterproofing, Durability, and Environmental Resistance

Both models belong in the “tough” compact category, but there are nuanced differences:

Olympus clearly offers tougher specs, suitable for serious adventurers - think snorkeling, climbing, and harsh weather. Ricoh is solid but better for casual water exposure and milder rough handling.

If your activities routinely push equipment to extremes, Olympus’s ruggedness makes it a safer bet.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Battery life is essential on the trail - no one wants to run out of juice in the wild.

The Olympus TG-850 achieves about 330 shots per charge using a proprietary LI-50B battery. The Ricoh WG-20 clocks in at around 260 shots using its D-LI92 battery, a noticeable difference if you’re out for long days without charging opportunity.

Both take single SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with internal memory fallback options, which is convenient but standard.

Connectivity is a split choice: Olympus supports wireless connectivity for image transfer, whereas Ricoh offers none - a drawback if you want quick sharing or remote control.

Charging via USB is limited or non-existent, so carrying spare batteries is recommended.

Real-World Versatility Across Photography Genres

How do these cameras stack up across common photography niches? Here’s a brief assessment followed by a detailed performance analysis.

Olympus TG 850 iHS front Olympus TG 850 iHS screen back Ricoh WG 20 front Ricoh WG 20 screen back

Scoring the Cameras: The Final Tally

I put both through rigorous testing on image quality, autofocus, build quality, ergonomics, and features to arrive at an overall performance rating.

Olympus TG-850 scores higher due to better sensor, autofocus, stabilization, video capabilities, and ruggedness. Ricoh remains a solid choice for budget buyers prioritizing macro and telephoto reach in a smaller package.

Genre-specific scores help illuminate strengths:

Final Thoughts and Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

If you’re searching for a rugged, waterproof compact that balances high image quality, superior autofocus, and flexible features, the Olympus TG-850 iHS stands out as the better all-rounder. Its optical image stabilization alone is a boon, and the wider zoom range plus video specs make it the better choice for most users, especially those photographing landscapes, portraits, or on-the-go video.

On the other hand, if your budget is tight and you value extreme close-up macro shooting with manual focus control, and don’t mind a smaller screen and slower overall performance, the Ricoh WG-20 is a respectable contender. It’s lighter and more pocketable, ideal for casual outdoor users who want easy operation and long telephoto reach.

Both cameras share limitations common to tough compacts - modest sensors, no RAW shooting, and basic video options - but within those parameters, the Olympus strikes me as more future-proof and versatile given its superior processor and sensor tech.

Practical Buying Advice - The Quick Take

• Choose Olympus TG-850 iHS if:

  • You need reliable underwater and outdoor shooting up to 10 meters
  • Optical image stabilization is a must
  • High-quality 1080p video with smooth autofocus is important
  • You prefer faster shooting, better ergonomics, and wireless transfer
  • You want a versatile zoom starting wider and less cropping for macro

• Choose Ricoh WG-20 if:

  • You want to shoot extreme macro at 1 cm close distance
  • Prefer manual focus control for creative close-ups
  • You prioritize a smaller, lighter camera for casual adventures
  • Budget constraints lean towards slightly cheaper price points
  • You can live with 720p video and a less sharp LCD screen

Final Word: Trusted Companions for Water-Resistant Adventures

Having personally put both through their paces - dunking underwater, scrambling rocky trails, and snapping quick wildlife shots - I lean towards the Olympus TG-850 iHS as a more robust, versatile companion for the vast majority of outdoor photography enthusiasts. The added zoom flexibility, ergonomic design, and advanced image processing make it worth the slightly higher price.

But, if ultra-close macro shooting is your passion or if every gram counts in your pack, the Ricoh WG-20 still deserves consideration.

Whichever you choose, both cameras represent reliable, rugged options, proving you don’t have to sacrifice durability for decent image quality.

Happy shooting - and don’t forget your dry bag!

As always, for a hands-on look, check out my detailed video review highlighting these points and sample images from both cameras.