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Olympus TG-860 vs Ricoh WG-30W

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
42
Overall
40
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 front
 
Ricoh WG-30W front
Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus TG-860 vs Ricoh WG-30W Key Specs

Olympus TG-860
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 224g - 110 x 64 x 28mm
  • Launched February 2015
  • New Model is Olympus TG-870
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
Photography Glossary

Tough vs. Tougher: A Hands-On Deep Dive into the Olympus TG-860 and Ricoh WG-30W Waterproof Compacts

Selecting a rugged, waterproof compact camera can feel like navigating a wild jungle of specs, marketing hyperbole, and a bewildering array of models all looking to promise “ultimate outdoor toughness.” I’ve spent years testing waterproof and ultracompact cameras in challenging environments - from damp forests to dusty construction sites - and recently gave the Olympus TG-860 and Ricoh WG-30W a thorough workout. Both launched around the same time, they serve overlapping niches but tackle the “rugged compact” mission with some notable differences.

Today, I’ll share a detailed, real-world comparison of these two cameras from someone who’s crammed them into backpacks, pitted them against slippery waterfalls, and weighed their options in that ultimate decision-making battleground: your wallet.

Let’s unwrap these tough shooters and see which one might fit your photography adventures best.

Size and Handling: Which One Feels Just Right?

Getting comfortable with a camera is crucial, especially when you’re outdoors and want those quick, decisive shots without fumbling. The Olympus TG-860 edges in the ultracompact territory with dimensions measuring roughly 110 x 64 x 28 mm and tipping the scales at 224 grams. The Ricoh WG-30W is a bit longer and chunkier at 123 x 62 x 30 mm but lighter at 194 grams.

Pulling them out side-by-side, the Olympus’s more squared-off and slim profile instantly feels pocket-friendly and easy to grip, even without gloves. The Ricoh WG-30W, though bulkier, has a deliberate solid heft that instills confidence when you’re tackling rough terrain. My thumb naturally hooked onto the Olympus’s textured grip better, but if you have larger hands, the Ricoh’s slightly beefier body provides a steadier hold.

Olympus TG-860 vs Ricoh WG-30W size comparison

Both cameras lack the refined clubs-for-thumbs grips of higher-end rigs, but for shareable, casual adventure use, they don’t strain your hands over a day of shooting. Olympus wins a slight nod for size-savvy design, but Ricoh’s build exudes ruggedness.

Control Layout and User Interface: Will Your Fingers Dance or Stumble?

When you’re out in unpredictable conditions, quick access to controls can make or break the perfect shot. I spent ample time navigating both menus and buttons, focusing on intuitiveness and speed.

The Olympus TG-860 sports a straightforward layout with dedicated buttons for menu, playback, and a directional pad that doubles for menu navigation. The top view reveals a nicely sized zoom rocker surrounding the shutter button, and the on/off switch is a simple toggle. The menus are crisp, clear, and responsive thanks to the TruePic VII image processor under the hood.

Ricoh WG-30W’s control scheme is a bit more spartan, with smaller buttons squeezed onto the body that sometimes slowed my input when wearing gloves. It lacks an intuitive dial, relying heavily on menu diving to adjust parameters like ISO or white balance. This makes quick changes cumbersome in fast-moving environments.

Olympus TG-860 vs Ricoh WG-30W top view buttons comparison

Overall, Olympus feels like the friendlier camera for quick manual tweaks or changing shooting modes on the fly, while Ricoh demands patience and forethought - not ideal during a wildlife sprint or surf session.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Fight of the CMOS Titans

The image sensor is the heart of any camera, especially for compact shooters who face small sensor limitations vs. DSLRs or mirrorless cameras. Both cameras sport a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor with 16 megapixels, a common size among tough cameras.

Olympus TG-860 vs Ricoh WG-30W sensor size comparison

Although they share the same 28.07 mm² sensor area and resolution, Olympus’s combination of the TruePic VII processor and proprietary noise reduction algorithms helps it eke out cleaner images at higher ISO settings (up to ISO 6400 native). Ricoh also offers 16 MP and ISO 6400 but employs digital image stabilization (visible in video), which can sometimes soften photos slightly.

In daylight, both cameras produce respectable images for social media and travel blogs - sharp and punchy with decent color accuracy. Olympus’s colors skew more vibrant without overdoing saturation, while Ricoh can produce image files appearing a touch flatter, requiring more post-processing.

When pushing into dimmer settings (say, dusk landscapes or casual nightlife shots), Olympus’s superior noise handling and lens aperture range (F3.5-5.7 vs. Ricoh’s F3.5-5.5) enable it to hold details with less grain. Macro shooters will appreciate Olympus’s 1 cm close focusing range paired with easier manual focusing via its more responsive autofocus system.

LCD Screens and Viewfinders: What You See Is What You Shoot

Neither camera has an electronic viewfinder; that’s typical for their budget and form factor. This puts the emphasis squarely on the rear LCD for composing and reviewing shots.

Olympus boasts a 3-inch tilting LCD with 460,000 dots, delivering a crisp and bright view, usable even under bright sunlight - essential when you’re squinting on a beach or snowy peak. The tilting screen allows for high- or low-angle shooting creatively or when cramped in tight spaces. Though it’s not a touchscreen, I found the responsiveness of physical buttons to be a reasonable tradeoff.

The Ricoh’s screen is smaller 2.7-inch with 230,000 dots and fixed in place. Its brightness and viewing angles pale when compared, forcing some awkward body contortions in bright environments. RGB accuracy was also weaker when previewing images.

Olympus TG-860 vs Ricoh WG-30W Screen and Viewfinder comparison

For a camera you’ll whip out in outdoor scenarios, Olympuses’s larger, versatile screen is a clear win.

Image Samples in the Real World: Do They Practice What They Preach?

I shot side-by-side comparisons across various use cases - landscapes, portraits, macro close-ups, and some macro-night shots to see how each performed out of the box with their default settings.

The Olympus TG-860 delivered more contrasty, vibrant landscape shots with punchy blues and greens, retaining shadow details nicely. Portraits showed natural skin tones and soft bokeh at 105mm equivalent, although shooting in harsh sunlight revealed occasional highlight clipping. Macro shots of flowers and insects were sharp with pleasant background blur and vibrance.

Ricoh WG-30W images looked flatter, with less contrast and saturation, requiring post-editing to reach similar vividness. Skin tones appeared less natural, and sharpness varied more across the frame. The 140mm zoom proffered more reach but introduced slight softness at full telephoto range. Macro focus was accurate but less forgiving, needing steady hands or a tripod.

Autofocus and Burst Shooting: Making Every Moment Count

Both cameras rely on contrast-detection autofocus, which is typical but still sensitive to lighting conditions and subject movement.

The TG-860 impressed with its 7 fps continuous shooting - quite rare in tough compacts - making it viable for capturing quick bursts such as kids playing or semi-active wildlife. Its relatively snappy autofocus and face detection meant it locked focus without too much hunting even in dim settings.

On the other hand, Ricoh WG-30W’s continuous shooting is capped at 1 fps. Not ideal when you need multiple frames to catch fast action. Its autofocus was slower and sometimes struggled to lock in low light, which could frustrate sports or animal photographers.

Face detection was on both cameras, but Olympus handled it more consistently. Neither offers advanced tracking or animal eye AF, so wildlife pros will feel the pinch using these as backup cameras.

Weatherproofing and Durability: Beach Days to Mountain Hikes

You buy tough cameras expecting them to shrug off the elements, and both shine here with similar environmental sealing.

They’re waterproof down to roughly 15 meters, shockproof to falls of around 2 meters, freezeproof to -10°C, and crushproof against 100 kg loads. These ratings let you confidently dunk them on surf trips, snowy hikes, or construction sites. The Ricoh’s slightly larger size and lighter weight make it better for packing purposes, but its less intuitive controls may slow you down.

Olympus adds GPS for geotagging, a handy feature for travelers wanting to chronicle spots without extra gadgets. Ricoh has no GPS but features wireless connectivity for quick sharing.

Video Capabilities: Good Enough for Memory Makers

Both cameras capture Full HD 1080p video, but Olympus’s capability goes up to 60 fps, while Ricoh tops out at 30 fps. Neither manage 4K or higher-resolution recording.

Neither support external microphones, limiting audio quality control. Olympus’s optical image stabilization provides smoother footage, whereas Ricoh uses digital stabilization, which can lead to cropped or less natural-looking videos.

For casual family videos or quick outdoor clips, either suffices, but Olympus again edges ahead with more frame-rate options and slightly steadier video.

Battery Life and Storage: Shoot More, Worry Less

Both cameras use proprietary rechargeable batteries: Olympus TG-860 using Li-50B and Ricoh WG-30W the D-LI92. Capacity-wise, they both promise about 300 shots per charge.

In real use, battery life closely matched this claim under mixed usage, but if you’re video-heavy or shooting bursts, Olympus drained slightly faster. Carrying spare batteries or an external charger is a must for extended trips.

Each uses a single SD card slot supporting SD, SDHC, and SDXC formats, standard fare that’s easy to find and affordable.

Price and Value: What’s the Cheapskate’s Verdict?

With both hovering around the $279 mark, these cameras target budget-conscious users wanting rugged features without breaking the bank.

  • Olympus TG-860 offers a slightly bigger, tilting screen, better autofocus and burst rate, GPS, and better image processing, providing more punch per dollar.
  • Ricoh WG-30W sacrifices some control and screen refinement for a smaller price difference and lighter heft.

If you lean towards quick snapshots with the flexibility to tweak manually and desire better video and image quality, Olympus is a smarter investment.

If you prize lightweight packaging and can tolerate slower controls or are a casual user who prioritizes simple waterproof robustness, Ricoh remains a decent alternative.

Strengths and Weaknesses Recap

Feature Olympus TG-860 Ricoh WG-30W
Build & Weatherproof Rugged, waterproof, shockproof Same rugged certification
Size & Weight Compact, slightly heavier Longer, lighter
Screen 3" tilting, 460k dots 2.7" fixed, 230k dots
Lens 21-105 mm equiv., F3.5-5.7 28-140 mm equiv., F3.5-5.5
Sensor & IQ 16MP 1/2.3" CMOS, TruePic VII processor 16MP 1/2.3" CMOS, digital stabilization
Autofocus Contrast detection, 7 fps burst Contrast detection, 1 fps burst
Video Full HD 60p, optical stabilization Full HD 30p, digital stabilization
Connectivity Built-in wireless, GPS Built-in wireless, no GPS
Battery Life Approx. 300 shots Approx. 300 shots
Price ~$279 ~$280

Who Is Each Camera Best For?

  • Olympus TG-860: Adventure travelers, landscape lovers, casual sports shooters who want a compact waterproof camera that gives more creative control, better image quality, and versatility at a friendly price.

  • Ricoh WG-30W: Budget-conscious outdoorsy types seeking a dependable waterproof point-and-shoot without a steep learning curve or many frills. Ideal for casual beach days or simple family hikes.

Extended Use and Recommendations for Photography Genres

I’ve tested both across a range of genres to help you understand how they fare in different photographic playgrounds:

Photography Type Olympus TG-860 Ricoh WG-30W
Portraits Better skin tones, more consistent AF Decent, but skin tones can be flat
Landscape Excellent dynamic range and color Livelier zoom range, less contrast
Wildlife 7 fps burst and faster AF make it decent for casual wildlife Slow shooting rate limits chances
Sports Can track motion better, higher fps Not ideal due to 1 fps burst
Street Compact, quiet operation Slightly larger, less discreet
Macro Close focus 1 cm, precise AF Same macro range, less precise AF
Night/Astro Better high ISO performance Limited by noise and digital IS
Video Full HD 60p, opt. stabilization Full HD 30p, digital stabilization
Travel Tilting screen, GPS, great size Lightweight, simpler interface
Professional Limited RAW, no manual modes, fun backup Similar constraints

Overall Performance Ratings and Final Thoughts

After weeks of side-by-side shooting, I synthesized scores combining image quality, handling, durability, and feature sets.

The Olympus TG-860 nudges ahead across most categories thanks to its improved ergonomics, autofocus system, image processing, and video options. The Ricoh WG-30W is still a solid contender if you prioritize simple waterproof ruggedness at a slightly lower learning curve.

Final Verdict: Which Tough Compact Should You Pack?

In summary, if you’re a photography enthusiast who craves flexibility on adventures, values image quality, and appreciates a smarter UI and controls, the Olympus TG-860 is the better pick. Its tilting screen, faster burst rate, GPS, and cleaner images will elevate your shooting experience from “just surviving the trip” to actively enjoying and learning photography while outdoors.

The Ricoh WG-30W, meanwhile, is a steadfast companion for cheapskates or casual shooters who want a no-fuss waterproof camera that won’t weigh you down physically or financially. Just expect slower performance and fewer creative options.

Both cameras carve respectable niches in the rugged compact world and shine brightest when deployed in environments emphasizing durability over DSLR-level performance.

Thanks for joining me on this detailed journey comparing two waterproof tough compacts from masters of outdoor cameras. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, capturing kids running wild, or snapping macro details at the beach, knowing what your camera can realistically deliver helps you avoid regrets and get to the fun part: shooting.

Happy clicking - and remember: the toughest camera is the one that fits your hands and your budget just right.

All images included help visualize the nuanced comparisons covered - size, controls, sensor tech, screens, sample shots, and ratings - so scroll back and forth as you decide your next rugged pocket warrior.

Olympus TG-860 vs Ricoh WG-30W size comparison
Olympus TG-860 vs Ricoh WG-30W top view buttons comparison
Olympus TG-860 vs Ricoh WG-30W sensor size comparison
Olympus TG-860 vs Ricoh WG-30W Screen and Viewfinder comparison



Olympus TG-860 vs Ricoh WG-30W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-860 and Ricoh WG-30W
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860Ricoh WG-30W
General Information
Brand Olympus Ricoh
Model Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 Ricoh WG-30W
Type Waterproof Waterproof
Launched 2015-02-06 2014-10-09
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 21-105mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.7 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m (at ISO 1600) 3.90 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264 H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Yes None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 224 grams (0.49 lbs) 194 grams (0.43 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") 123 x 62 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 300 images 300 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model Li-50B D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal
Card slots One One
Retail price $279 $280