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Panasonic SZ3 vs Ricoh WG-70

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Ricoh WG-70 front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
39
Overall
41

Panasonic SZ3 vs Ricoh WG-70 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2013
Ricoh WG-70
(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
  • 193g - 123 x 62 x 30mm
  • Released February 2020
  • Updated by Ricoh WG-80
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Ricoh WG-70 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Panasonic SZ3 versus Ricoh WG-70, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof by rivals Panasonic and Ricoh. The sensor resolution of the SZ3 (16MP) and the WG-70 (16MP) is pretty close and both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ3 was unveiled 8 years before the WG-70 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the SZ3 grades vs the WG-70 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Ricoh WG-70

 SZ3 WG-70 

Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-70 over the Panasonic SZ3

 WG-70 SZ3 
ReleasedFebruary 2020January 2013Newer by 86 months
Manually focus More precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Ricoh WG-70

 SZ3 WG-70 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ3 vs Ricoh WG-70 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ3 has external measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Ricoh WG-70 has dimensions of 123mm x 62mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic SZ3 versus Ricoh WG-70 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at the time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the SZ3 and the WG-70.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Ricoh WG-70 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ3 and WG-70 is 96 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Ricoh WG-70 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Ricoh WG-70 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions just by viewing specs. The image below will help offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ3 and WG-70.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size and the identical megapixels so you should expect comparable quality of files although you need to take the production date of the cameras into account. The more aged SZ3 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Ricoh WG-70 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Ricoh WG-70 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Ricoh WG-70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography highlights
Ricoh WG-70 Portrait photography highlights
30
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
42
focusing manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
provides face detect focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic SZ3
Street photography with Ricoh WG-70
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (126g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
62
image stabilization (Digital)
weather sealing
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography factors
Ricoh WG-70 Sports photography factors
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
50
image stabilization (Digital)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
weather sealing
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography highlights
Ricoh WG-70 Travel photography highlights
71
lighter than others (126g)
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
71
weather sealing
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography info
Ricoh WG-70 Landscape photography info
39
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
49
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Digital)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging info
Ricoh WG-70 Vlogging info
31
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (126g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic support
33
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Digital)
provides face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no mic socket
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Ricoh WG-70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Ricoh WG-70
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Ricoh WG-70
General Information
Brand Panasonic Ricoh
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Ricoh WG-70
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Revealed 2013-01-07 2020-02-04
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.10 m 5.50 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro On, off
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, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1280 x 720 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1280 x 720 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1280 x 720 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Yes (Wireless)
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 126 grams (0.28 pounds) 193 grams (0.43 pounds)
Physical dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 123 x 62 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 250 shots 300 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs, remote)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Internal + SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots One One
Price at launch $150 $280