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Panasonic S3 vs Ricoh WG-30W

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Ricoh WG-30W front
Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
34
Overall
37

Panasonic S3 vs Ricoh WG-30W Key Specs

Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Released January 2011
Ricoh WG-30W
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 194g - 123 x 62 x 30mm
  • Announced October 2014
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Panasonic S3 vs Ricoh WG-30W Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Panasonic S3 vs Ricoh WG-30W, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof by competitors Panasonic and Ricoh. The resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the WG-30W (16MP) is relatively comparable and they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S3 was launched 4 years before the WG-30W which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise overview of how the S3 grades versus the WG-30W for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Ricoh WG-30W

 S3 WG-30W 

Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-30W over the Panasonic S3

 WG-30W S3 
AnnouncedOctober 2014January 2011Newer by 45 months

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Ricoh WG-30W

 S3 WG-30W 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Panasonic S3 vs Ricoh WG-30W Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic S3 offers outside measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Ricoh WG-30W has dimensions of 123mm x 62mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 194 grams (0.43 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic S3 vs Ricoh WG-30W in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select at the time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the S3 compared to the WG-30W.

Panasonic S3 vs Ricoh WG-30W size comparison

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

Panasonic S3 vs Ricoh WG-30W top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Ricoh WG-30W Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to envision the gap in sensor dimensions only by seeing technical specs. The picture below might provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the S3 and WG-30W.

As you have seen, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Ricoh WG-30W to show greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged S3 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic S3 vs Ricoh WG-30W sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Ricoh WG-30W Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Ricoh WG-30W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Portrait photography camera
Ricoh WG-30W as a Portrait photography camera
28
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
35
MP count good (16MP)
features face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 Street photography features
Ricoh WG-30W Street photography features
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
61
image stabilization (Digital)
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Sports photography camera
Ricoh WG-30W as a Sports photography camera
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
45
image stabilization (Digital)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S3 Travel photography factors
Ricoh WG-30W Travel photography factors
68
lighter than competition in class (117g)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
71
weather proofing
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 Landscape photography factors
Ricoh WG-30W Landscape photography factors
38
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
43
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Digital)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 Vlogging information
Ricoh WG-30W Vlogging information
31
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone socket
33
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Digital)
features face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly display
missing mic port
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Panasonic S3 vs Ricoh WG-30W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Ricoh WG-30W
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Ricoh WG-30W
General Information
Company Panasonic Ricoh
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Ricoh WG-30W
Class Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Released 2011-01-05 2014-10-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine IV -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.6 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 3.90 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 file format MPEG-4 H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 117 gr (0.26 lb) 194 gr (0.43 lb)
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 Overall 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 form 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
Retail price $110 $280