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Panasonic S2 vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
 
Ricoh WG-5 GPS front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41

Panasonic S2 vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS Key Specs

Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 236g - 125 x 65 x 32mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Succeeded the Ricoh WG-4 GPS
  • Renewed by Ricoh WG-6
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Panasonic S2 vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Panasonic S2 versus Ricoh WG-5 GPS, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Waterproof by companies Panasonic and Ricoh. The sensor resolution of the S2 (14MP) and the WG-5 GPS (16MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The S2 was announced 4 years prior to the WG-5 GPS and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a simple summary of how the S2 grades vs the WG-5 GPS with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Ricoh WG-5 GPS

 S2 WG-5 GPS 

Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-5 GPS over the Panasonic S2

 WG-5 GPS S2 
IntroducedFebruary 2015January 2012Fresher by 37 months
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S2 and Ricoh WG-5 GPS

 S2 WG-5 GPS 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Panasonic S2 vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic S2 provides exterior dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs) while the Ricoh WG-5 GPS has dimensions of 125mm x 65mm x 32mm (4.9" x 2.6" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic S2 versus Ricoh WG-5 GPS in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the S2 versus the WG-5 GPS.

Panasonic S2 vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the S2 and WG-5 GPS is 96 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic S2 vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to see the contrast between sensor sizing only by checking specs. The visual below will help give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the S2 and WG-5 GPS.

All in all, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Ricoh WG-5 GPS to give greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots more aggressively. The older S2 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic S2 vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS sensor size comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S2 vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Portrait photography camera
Ricoh WG-5 GPS as a Portrait photography camera
33
decent MP (14MP)
comes with face detect autofocus
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
41
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S2 Street photography information
Ricoh WG-5 GPS Street photography information
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (112g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
59
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
more heavy than competitors in class (236 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S2 Sports photography advice
Ricoh WG-5 GPS Sports photography advice
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
better than average battery (280 shots)
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
48
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
environment sealing
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (240 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S2 Travel photography details
Ricoh WG-5 GPS Travel photography details
70
better than average battery (280 per charge)
lighter than others (112g)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
69
environment sealing
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
terrible battery life (240 shots)
more heavy than competitors in class (236 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic S2
Landscape photography with Ricoh WG-5 GPS
41
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
better than average battery (280 shots)
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
54
has manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
terrible battery life (240 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S2 Vlogging information
Ricoh WG-5 GPS Vlogging information
32
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
lighter than others (112g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone socket
more heavy than competitors in class (236 grams)
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Panasonic S2 vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S2 and Ricoh WG-5 GPS
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2Ricoh WG-5 GPS
General Information
Make Panasonic Ricoh
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 Ricoh WG-5 GPS
Class Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Launched 2012-01-09 2015-02-10
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.5 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 14.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.30 m 10.40 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye, on + redeye
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 112g (0.25 lbs) 236g (0.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 125 x 65 x 32mm (4.9" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 280 pictures 240 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal
Card slots One One
Launch cost $109 $500