Panasonic S3 vs Ricoh WG-30
96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31


91 Imaging
40 Features
34 Overall
37
Panasonic S3 vs Ricoh WG-30 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
- 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Launched January 2011
(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
- 192g - 123 x 62 x 30mm
- Launched October 2014

Panasonic S3 vs Ricoh WG-30 Overview
Following is a extended overview of the Panasonic S3 vs Ricoh WG-30, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Waterproof by rivals Panasonic and Ricoh. The resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the WG-30 (16MP) is fairly close and both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The S3 was unveiled 4 years prior to the WG-30 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a short highlight of how the S3 matches up against the WG-30 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Panasonic S3 vs Ricoh WG-30 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 and Ricoh WG-30. The full galleries are provided at Panasonic S3 Gallery and Ricoh WG-30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Ricoh WG-30
S3 | WG-30 |
---|
Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-30 over the Panasonic S3
WG-30 | S3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | October 2014 | ![]() | January 2011 | More modern by 45 months |
Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Ricoh WG-30
S3 | WG-30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Equal display dimensions |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly display |
Panasonic S3 vs Ricoh WG-30 Physical Comparison
For those who are going to carry around your camera often, you have to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic S3 comes with external measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Ricoh WG-30 has proportions of 123mm x 62mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).
Check out the Panasonic S3 vs Ricoh WG-30 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose during that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the S3 versus the WG-30.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S3 and WG-30 is 96 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Ricoh WG-30 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its hard to see the difference in sensor sizes only by researching a spec sheet. The picture here may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the S3 and WG-30.
As you can see, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Ricoh WG-30 to provide you with extra detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more aged S3 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic S3 vs Ricoh WG-30 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Ricoh WG-30 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | Ricoh WG-30 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Panasonic | Ricoh |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | Ricoh WG-30 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Waterproof |
Launched | 2011-01-05 | 2014-10-09 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Venus Engine IV | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.1-5.6 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 2.7 inches | 2.7 inches |
Screen resolution | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 8 seconds | 4 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 2.0 frames per second | 1.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.30 m | 3.90 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4 | H.264 |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 117 grams (0.26 lbs) | 192 grams (0.42 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") | 123 x 62 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 250 shots | 300 shots |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | D-LI92 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Launch price | $110 | $428 |