Clicky

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-M1

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Ricoh WG-M1 front
Portability
91
Imaging
38
Features
22
Overall
31

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-M1 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-M1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 1.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • (1×)mm (F2.8) lens
  • 190g - 66 x 43 x 89mm
  • Announced September 2014
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-M1 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Panasonic SZ1 and Ricoh WG-M1, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof by competitors Panasonic and Ricoh. The image resolution of the SZ1 (16MP) and the WG-M1 (14MP) is relatively close and both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The SZ1 was released 3 years prior to the WG-M1 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short highlight of how the SZ1 matches up against the WG-M1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Ricoh WG-M1

 SZ1 WG-M1 
Screen dimensions3"1.5"Bigger screen (+1.5")
Screen resolution230k115kSharper screen (+115k dot)

Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-M1 over the Panasonic SZ1

 WG-M1 SZ1 
AnnouncedSeptember 2014January 2012Newer by 32 months

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Ricoh WG-M1

 SZ1 WG-M1 
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-M1 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ1 enjoys physical dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) while the Ricoh WG-M1 has specifications of 66mm x 43mm x 89mm (2.6" x 1.7" x 3.5") along with a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic SZ1 and Ricoh WG-M1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use at that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the SZ1 compared to the WG-M1.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-M1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ1 and WG-M1 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-M1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-M1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions simply by looking through technical specs. The picture here may give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ1 and WG-M1.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should count on the Panasonic SZ1 to result in extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The more aged SZ1 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-M1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-M1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-M1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography factors
Ricoh WG-M1 Portrait photography factors
34
good resolution (16MP)
offers face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
29
MP count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Street photography features
Ricoh WG-M1 Street photography features
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (131 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
52
weather proof
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
max ISO too low (800)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Sports photography camera
Ricoh WG-M1 as a Sports photography camera
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
37
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
weather proof
better than average battery pack (350 shots)
can't change focal length ((1×)mm)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Travel photography camera
Ricoh WG-M1 as a Travel photography camera
70
lighter than competitors in class (131 grams)
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
no Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
64
better than average battery pack (350 per charge)
weather proof
MP count decent (14MP)
missing Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ1
Landscape photography with Ricoh WG-M1
43
quite wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
35
MP count decent (14MP)
weather proof
better than average battery pack (350 CIPA)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length ((1×)mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (1.5")
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
max ISO too low (800)
no RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ1
Vlogging with Ricoh WG-M1
32
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than competitors in class (131g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic port
26
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing external microphone jack
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Panasonic SZ1 vs Ricoh WG-M1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Ricoh WG-M1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Ricoh WG-M1
General Information
Make Panasonic Ricoh
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Ricoh WG-M1
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Launched 2012-01-09 2014-09-12
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) (1×)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.8
Macro focusing distance 4cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 1.5"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 115 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8s -
Max shutter speed 1/1600s -
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.60 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 960 (50p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p), 848 x 480 (60p, 120p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 131 grams (0.29 pounds) 190 grams (0.42 pounds)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 66 x 43 x 89mm (2.6" x 1.7" x 3.5")
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 350 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - DB-65
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal microSD/microSDHC, internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $179 $2,000