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Panasonic SZ8 vs Ricoh WG-30W

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Ricoh WG-30W front
Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
34
Overall
38

Panasonic SZ8 vs Ricoh WG-30W Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Revealed January 2014
Ricoh WG-30W
(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
  • 194g - 123 x 62 x 30mm
  • Released October 2014
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Ricoh WG-30W Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Panasonic SZ8 and Ricoh WG-30W, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Waterproof by competitors Panasonic and Ricoh. The resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the WG-30W (16MP) is pretty similar and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ8 was released 9 months earlier than the WG-30W which means that they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a complete comparison, here is a quick summation of how the SZ8 scores vs the WG-30W with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Ricoh WG-30W

 SZ8 WG-30W 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-30W over the Panasonic SZ8

 WG-30W SZ8 
ReleasedOctober 2014January 2014More modern by 9 months

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Ricoh WG-30W

 SZ8 WG-30W 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Panasonic SZ8 vs Ricoh WG-30W Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ8 provides external dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Ricoh WG-30W has dimensions of 123mm x 62mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 194 grams (0.43 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic SZ8 and Ricoh WG-30W in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the SZ8 compared to the WG-30W.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Ricoh WG-30W size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ8 and WG-30W is 94 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Ricoh WG-30W top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Ricoh WG-30W Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to picture the gap between sensor sizes simply by going over technical specs. The pic here will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ8 and WG-30W.

As you can tell, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same exact resolution therefore you should expect similar quality of images though you will need to consider the production date of the products into consideration. The more aged SZ8 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Ricoh WG-30W sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Ricoh WG-30W Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Ricoh WG-30W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Portrait photography camera
Ricoh WG-30W as a Portrait photography camera
35
decent megapixels (16MP)
supports face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
36
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
offers face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography information
Ricoh WG-30W Street photography information
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (159g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
62
has image stabilization (Digital)
weather sealing
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography advice
Ricoh WG-30W Sports photography advice
34
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
slow fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery pack (200 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
45
has image stabilization (Digital)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
weather sealing
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ8
Travel photography with Ricoh WG-30W
67
lighter than competition in class (159g)
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (288mm)
lack of Timelapse function
low battery pack (200 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
71
weather sealing
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Landscape photography camera
Ricoh WG-30W as a Landscape photography camera
42
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
low battery pack (200 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
43
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
weather sealing
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging advice
Ricoh WG-30W Vlogging advice
32
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (159g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone jack
33
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
offers face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly display
missing external microphone socket
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Ricoh WG-30W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Ricoh WG-30W
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Ricoh WG-30W
General Information
Make Panasonic Ricoh
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Ricoh WG-30W
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Revealed 2014-01-06 2014-10-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine -
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 surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-288mm (12.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.20 m 3.90 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
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 159g (0.35 lb) 194g (0.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 123 x 62 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 200 pictures 300 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $275 $280