Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27 vs. Ricoh WG-6: A Thorough Compact Camera Comparison

Choosing the right compact camera can be overwhelming with so many options on the market, especially when two cameras hail from different eras and cater to different photographic priorities. Today we dive deep into a hands-on, detailed comparison between the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27 and the Ricoh WG-6 to help you understand which camera fits your creative workflow, budget, and shooting style.

Both models sit in the compact category, but they target notably different users. The Panasonic FH27 is a straightforward, budget-friendly travel and everyday shooter released in 2011, while the Ricoh WG-6 (2018) is a rugged, waterproof, activity-friendly compact with more advanced capabilities. By exploring their technical specs, real-world performance, and genre-specific strengths, we give you an expert perspective to decide which compact camera best supports your photographic adventures.

Getting a Feel: Size, Weight, and Ergonomics

In the world of compact cameras, size and handling play a massive role in comfort and usability. As photographers with years of hands-on experience, testing ergonomics is always one of the first things we note.

• Panasonic FH27: At 99 x 57 x 28 mm and a featherweight 152 grams, the FH27 is pocketable and ultra-light. Its fixed lens and minimal controls contribute to a sleek, streamlined shape.

• Ricoh WG-6: Measuring 118 x 66 x 33 mm and weighing 246 grams, the WG-6 is significantly chunkier and heavier. This reflects its rugged, waterproof design intended for tougher environments.

The FH27’s smaller footprint and low weight favor street photographers, casual travelers, and any scenario where portability is key. The WG-6, although less discreet, offers a robust grip and build that feels solid in hand, reassuring you when shooting underwater or in dusty, shock-prone situations.

Design and Control Layout: Simplicity vs. Durability

A quick glance at their top plates reveals how differently Panasonic and Ricoh approached user interaction.

• Panasonic FH27 has a minimalist control set with touch-enabled 3-inch TFT screen (230K resolution). It lacks dedicated dials or manual exposure modes, reinforcing ease-of-use over customization.

• Ricoh WG-6 eschews touchscreen but offers a higher-res 3-inch LCD at 1040K dots for crisp display. The controls are ruggedized with larger, well-spaced buttons to accommodate gloves and wet hands. The inclusion of a self-timer with versatile interval settings also makes it friendlier for experimental shooting styles.

The FH27’s touchscreen LCD simplifies basic framing and navigation but limits manual control, while the WG-6 prioritizes reliability over flashy interfaces, a crucial trait for adventure shooters.

Sensor and Image Quality: Foundational Differences

Both cameras use the widely adopted 1/2.3” sensor size, but with notable differences:

The FH27 uses a CCD sensor paired with the Venus Engine VI processor, which was common in budget compacts a decade ago. The Ricoh WG-6’s modern back-illuminated CMOS sensor improves light-gathering efficiency, especially in low-light conditions. This BSI-CMOS design tends to offer better dynamic range and less image noise, which we confirmed during our low light tests.

While neither supports RAW capture (limiting professional post-processing flexibility), the WG-6’s slightly higher megapixel count and sensor architecture provide better resolution and detail recovery in real-world shooting.

If crisp landscapes or finely detailed macro shots are a priority, Ricoh’s sensor and processing provide a measurable edge. For casual snapshots and social media sharing, both cameras suffice, though.

Viewing Experience and Interface: Navigating Your Creation

The screen is your eye when an electronic viewfinder is absent. Here the gap is significant:

• The FH27’s touchscreen (230K dots) is responsive but rather dim and low resolution, showing a somewhat grainy live preview especially outdoors under harsh daylight.

• The WG-6’s fixed 3-inch LCD (1040K dots) excels with clarity and color fidelity, making it better suited for framing detailed shots, manual focusing, and reviewing images on the go.

Neither camera features an electronic viewfinder, which is a drawback for bright shooting conditions or precision composition, especially for street and action photography.

In daily use, the WG-6’s superior display aids in critical focus assessment and menu navigation, while the FH27’s touchscreen simplifies point-and-shoot operation but at the expense of fine control.

Autofocus and Shooting Responsiveness

Autofocus performance is paramount across photographic genres:

The FH27 employs contrast AF with 11 focus points and face detection, but without continuous AF or manual focus. This means it performs well for still subjects and simple scenes but struggles with moving subjects or fast-paced shooting.

The WG-6 includes continuous AF and manual focus, which is beneficial when tracking animals or sports. Its AF tracking adapts well to changing subjects even underwater.

In our experience, the WG-6’s autofocus proved consistently more flexible, and the ability to switch to manual focus is a boon for macro and creative shooting where precision is critical.

Lens and Optical Performance: Zoom and Macro Capabilities

Lens versatility is especially valuable in compact cameras:

The FH27 offers a long 8x zoom range, better for distant subjects like wildlife, although f/5.9 at telephoto limits low-light and shallow depth-of-field possibilities.

The WG-6’s shorter 5x zoom is compensated by a closer macro focus distance of 1 cm, enabling striking close-ups of small subjects like insects or textures. Its lens aperture is marginally brighter at telephoto.

For macro enthusiasts, the WG-6 outperforms here, augmented by manual focus. For lightweight travel shooters seeking reach, the FH27’s extended zoom has appeal.

Burst, Shutter, and Flash: Capturing the Moment

Both cameras include integrated flashes and self-timer features with some variations:

The FH27’s shutter range is typical for point-and-shoot cameras but restricted with no manual shutter or aperture control. The WG-6’s faster max shutter speed allows more control over motion blur and bright conditions, though the absence of manual exposure modes limits creative latency.

The FH27’s 4 fps burst mode is a plus for casual action shots; however, continuous shooting is not emphasized in WG-6’s specs, aligning with its rugged-use focus rather than sports.

Video Capabilities: From Social Clips to Travel Vlogs

Videographers looking for compact options should weigh formats and resolutions carefully.

The WG-6 is a clear winner for video shooters, offering 4K UHD capture for crisp, high-resolution footage - a vital feature for travel vloggers or content creators.

The FH27 is limited to 720p HD video in Motion JPEG format, which results in larger files and lower compression efficiency. Both cameras lack external microphone input, limiting sound quality for serious videography.

In terms of stabilization, the FH27 has optical image stabilization (generally more effective), whereas the WG-6 relies on digital stabilization, which can slightly crop the image and sometimes introduces artifacts.

Durability and Environmental Sealing: Shooting Anywhere, Anytime

The Ricoh WG-6’s distinctive claim to fame is its ruggedness:

• Waterproof to 20 meters
• Dustproof, shockproof, freezeproof, and crushproof
• Built-in GPS for geotagging

The Panasonic FH27 lacks any environmental sealing and is designed strictly as a casual compact. Its plastic body and lightweight design mean it should be protected from harsh conditions.

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, action sports athlete, or nature photographer who shoots in unpredictable conditions, the WG-6’s robustness is unbeatable in this class.

Battery Life and Storage: Keeping You Shooting

WG-6 delivers better battery endurance, roughly 35% more shots, an advantage on long hikes or travel days without easy recharge options.

Both cameras rely on reliable SD card formats, but only the WG-6 supports wireless connectivity with FlashAir SD cards, aiding quick image sharing from remote locations.

Real-World Image Gallery

Panasonic FH27 screen back Ricoh WG 6 front Ricoh WG 6 screen back

In practical testing, the FH27 produced vibrant daytime images but showed visible noise creeping in at ISO 400 and above. Its zoom lens delivers good reach but suffers from softness at telephoto edges.

The WG-6 captured sharper, more detailed shots with pleasing colors and better low light results thanks to BSI-CMOS. Macro photos at 1 cm revealed excellent subject isolation and detail fidelity.

Performance in Key Photography Types

Here's a breakdown based on real use-cases:

• Portraits: FH27’s face detection and lens zoom help casual portraits. WG-6’s sharper sensor and macro focusing enhance close-ups with better subject detail.

• Landscape: WG-6’s superior resolution and exposure bracketing aid landscapes with wider dynamic range.

• Wildlife: FH27 offers more zoom but lacks fast autofocus; WG-6 provides better AF tracking but shorter reach.

• Sports: Neither ideal; FH27’s limited burst, WG-6 slow AF response.

• Street: FH27’s size and touchscreen win for discretion.

• Macro: WG-6 excels with 1 cm focus and manual focus.

• Night/Astro: WG-6’s sensor and longer shutter better, though limited without RAW.

• Video: WG-6 dominates with 4K.

• Travel: FH27’s compactness vs. WG-6’s rugged versatility.

• Professional Work: Both limited by no RAW and fixed lenses.

Overall Camera Performance Ratings

Summarizing the data:

Final Thoughts & Recommendations

Your best choice depends on how and where you shoot. Here’s our expert guidance to match these models with your needs:

Choose the Panasonic Lumix FH27 if:

• You want the smallest, lightest camera possible for casual travel and street use.
• You prefer touchscreen controls and a simple, beginner-friendly interface.
• Your subjects are mostly still, and you don’t require advanced manual control or RAW.
• Your budget is lower and you value convenience over ruggedness or video capability.

Opt for the Ricoh WG-6 if:

• You need a tough, all-terrain camera that survives water, dust, shocks, and freezing temperatures.
• You want 4K video along with better sensor technology and sharper images.
• You enjoy shooting macro, landscapes, and needs moderate manual focus control.
• You often shoot outdoors under challenging conditions and want built-in GPS.
• Slightly larger size and weight are acceptable trade-offs for rugged features.

Get Hands-On and Explore Accessories

Both cameras come with fixed lenses - if you’re serious about expanding creative options, check out Panasonic’s Lumix interchangeable lens systems or Ricoh’s WG series for newer models.

Testing these cameras yourself or renting helps ensure they fit your hands and shooting style. Don’t forget to invest in good SD cards and extra batteries to maximize your shooting sessions.

In summary, the Panasonic FH27 targets casual shooters valuing portability and ease, while the Ricoh WG-6 is engineered for adventure lovers and content creators who need durability and richer capabilities in a compact format.

Whether you aim to capture city scenes, dive into underwater wildlife, or vlog your travels in 4K, this comparison equips you with the insights to pick the compact camera that supports your creative journey best.

Happy shooting!