Panasonic SZ5 vs Ricoh WG-4
95 Imaging
37 Features
34 Overall
35


90 Imaging
40 Features
44 Overall
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Ricoh WG-4 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
- Revealed July 2012
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
- 230g - 124 x 64 x 33mm
- Announced February 2014

Panasonic SZ5 vs Ricoh WG-4 Overview
On this page, we are analyzing the Panasonic SZ5 and Ricoh WG-4, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Waterproof by companies Panasonic and Ricoh. The image resolution of the SZ5 (14MP) and the WG-4 (16MP) is fairly similar and both cameras have the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SZ5 was introduced 18 months before the WG-4 making them a generation apart from one another. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before going straight to a in depth comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the SZ5 grades against the WG-4 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Ricoh WG-4 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 and Ricoh WG-4. The whole galleries are provided at Panasonic SZ5 Gallery and Ricoh WG-4 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Ricoh WG-4
SZ5 | WG-4 |
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Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-4 over the Panasonic SZ5
WG-4 | SZ5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2014 | ![]() | July 2012 | Fresher by 18 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Ricoh WG-4
SZ5 | WG-4 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Missing Touch friendly display |
Panasonic SZ5 vs Ricoh WG-4 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to carry your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ5 provides outer dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Ricoh WG-4 has measurements of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).
Look at the Panasonic SZ5 and Ricoh WG-4 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ5 versus the WG-4.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ5 and WG-4 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Ricoh WG-4 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizing simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual underneath will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ5 and WG-4.
As you can see, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should anticipate the Ricoh WG-4 to offer you more detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos more aggressively. The older SZ5 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Ricoh WG-4 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Ricoh WG-4 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 | Ricoh WG-4 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Panasonic | Ricoh |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 | Ricoh WG-4 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Waterproof |
Revealed | 2012-07-18 | 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 | 14 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Max boosted ISO | 6400 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 23 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-250mm (10.0x) | 25-100mm (4.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.1-5.9 | f/2.0-4.9 |
Macro focus range | 5cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen tech | TFT Screen LCD | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 8 seconds | 4 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 2.0 frames per sec | 2.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 5.60 m | 10.00 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync | Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye, on + redeye |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4 | H.264 |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
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 | 136 grams (0.30 lb) | 230 grams (0.51 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") | 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") |
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 photos | 240 photos |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | D-LI92 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs) | Yes (2 or 10 secs) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Cost at launch | $195 | $330 |