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Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-20

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Ricoh WG-20 front
Portability
93
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-20 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 2012
Ricoh WG-20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Revealed February 2014
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-20 Overview

Here is a extended analysis of the Panasonic SZ1 versus Ricoh WG-20, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Waterproof by manufacturers Panasonic and Ricoh. The image resolution of the SZ1 (16MP) and the WG-20 (14MP) is pretty close and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ1 was introduced 3 years prior to the WG-20 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the SZ1 matches up against the WG-20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Ricoh WG-20

 SZ1 WG-20 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-20 over the Panasonic SZ1

 WG-20 SZ1 
RevealedFebruary 2014January 2012Fresher by 25 months
Manual focus More accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Ricoh WG-20

 SZ1 WG-20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-20 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ1 has outside dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Ricoh WG-20 has dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic SZ1 versus Ricoh WG-20 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the SZ1 versus the WG-20.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-20 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ1 and WG-20 is 95 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-20 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to see the gap in sensor sizing simply by viewing technical specs. The photograph underneath will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ1 and WG-20.

As you can tell, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Panasonic SZ1 to result in more detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The older SZ1 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ1
Portrait photography with Ricoh WG-20
34
good MP (16MP)
includes face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
39
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
includes face detect focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Street photography camera
Ricoh WG-20 as a Street photography camera
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (131 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
62
has image stabilization (Digital)
environment sealing
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography information
Ricoh WG-20 Sports photography information
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
44
has image stabilization (Digital)
megapixel count good (14MP)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography factors
Ricoh WG-20 Travel photography factors
70
lighter than average (131 grams)
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
lack of Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
71
environment sealing
megapixel count good (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography information
Ricoh WG-20 Landscape photography information
43
quite wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
47
has manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
megapixel count good (14MP)
environment sealing
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ1
Vlogging with Ricoh WG-20
32
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
lighter than average (131g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone port
30
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
includes face detect focus
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic port
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Ricoh WG-20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Ricoh WG-20
General Information
Company Panasonic Ricoh
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Ricoh WG-20
Class Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Introduced 2012-01-09 2014-02-05
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 4cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 4.00 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30p, 15p), 640 x 480 (30p, 15p), 320 x 240 (30p, 15p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 131 gr (0.29 pounds) 164 gr (0.36 pounds)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 images 260 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $179 $370