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Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-4

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Ricoh WG-4 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-4 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
Ricoh WG-4
(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
  • 230g - 124 x 64 x 33mm
  • Launched February 2014
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-4 Overview

The following is a extended comparison of the Panasonic SZ1 and Ricoh WG-4, former is 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-4 (16MP) is pretty similar and both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ1 was launched 3 years before the WG-4 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a full comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the SZ1 scores against the WG-4 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Ricoh WG-4

 SZ1 WG-4 

Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-4 over the Panasonic SZ1

 WG-4 SZ1 
LaunchedFebruary 2014January 2012Newer by 25 months
Manually focus More precise focusing
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Ricoh WG-4

 SZ1 WG-4 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-4 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ1 offers physical measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Ricoh WG-4 has measurements of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic SZ1 and Ricoh WG-4 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ1 compared to the WG-4.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-4 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SZ1 and WG-4 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-4 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-4 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by going over specs. The pic underneath will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ1 and WG-4.

All in all, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the exact same MP so you can expect similar quality of photos though you will need to consider the launch date of the products into consideration. The more aged SZ1 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-4 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-4 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-4 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Portrait photography camera
Ricoh WG-4 as a Portrait photography camera
34
megapixel count good (16MP)
has face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
41
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has face detect autofocus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Street photography information
Ricoh WG-4 Street photography information
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (131g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography details
Ricoh WG-4 Sports photography details
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
slow fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has tracking focus
weather sealing
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (240 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Travel photography camera
Ricoh WG-4 as a Travel photography camera
70
lighter than competition (131 grams)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
72
weather sealing
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
terrible battery pack (240 per charge)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography advice
Ricoh WG-4 Landscape photography advice
43
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
54
focusing manually
really wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
weather sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
terrible battery pack (240 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Vlogging camera
Ricoh WG-4 as a Vlogging camera
32
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
lighter than competition (131 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic socket
36
really wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone support
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-4 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Ricoh WG-4
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Ricoh WG-4
General Information
Brand Panasonic Ricoh
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Ricoh WG-4
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Launched 2012-01-09 2014-02-05
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 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focusing range 4cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 10.00 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye, on + redeye
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 131 gr (0.29 lbs) 230 gr (0.51 lbs)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3")
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 photos 240 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $179 $330