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Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-30W

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Pentax Optio VS20 front
 
Ricoh WG-30W front
Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
34
Overall
38

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-30W Key Specs

Pentax VS20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F3.1-4.8) lens
  • 235g - 111 x 61 x 38mm
  • Released January 2012
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
  • Announced October 2014
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Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-30W Overview

Here is a extended review of the Pentax VS20 and Ricoh WG-30W, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof by brands Pentax and Ricoh. The image resolution of the VS20 (16MP) and the WG-30W (16MP) is relatively close and both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The VS20 was brought out 3 years earlier than the WG-30W and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the VS20 matches up against the WG-30W when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Ricoh WG-30W

 VS20 WG-30W 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-30W over the Pentax VS20

 WG-30W VS20 
AnnouncedOctober 2014January 2012Fresher by 32 months

Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Ricoh WG-30W

 VS20 WG-30W 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-30W Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax VS20 has got outer dimensions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs) while the Ricoh WG-30W has dimensions of 123mm x 62mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 194 grams (0.43 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax VS20 and Ricoh WG-30W in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the VS20 vs the WG-30W.

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-30W size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the VS20 and WG-30W is 90 and 91 respectively.

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-30W top view buttons comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-30W Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing simply by looking through specs. The photograph underneath will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the VS20 and WG-30W.

All in all, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the identical MP therefore you can expect comparable quality of photos however you might want to consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The older VS20 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-30W sensor size comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-30W Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-30W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax VS20 Portrait photography advice
Ricoh WG-30W Portrait photography advice
36
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
36
MP count good (16MP)
provides face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax VS20 Street photography factors
Ricoh WG-30W Street photography factors
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (235g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
62
has image stabilization (Digital)
weather proofing
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax VS20 Sports photography details
Ricoh WG-30W Sports photography details
44
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
45
has image stabilization (Digital)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proofing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax VS20 Travel photography information
Ricoh WG-30W Travel photography information
68
lighter than others in class (235g)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
long reach (560mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
doesn't have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
71
weather proofing
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax VS20 as a Landscape photography camera
Ricoh WG-30W as a Landscape photography camera
47
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
43
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax VS20 Vlogging info
Ricoh WG-30W Vlogging info
30
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (235 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone jack
33
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
provides face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external mic socket
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Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-30W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax VS20 and Ricoh WG-30W
 Pentax Optio VS20Ricoh WG-30W
General Information
Company Pentax Ricoh
Model Pentax Optio VS20 Ricoh WG-30W
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Released 2012-01-25 2014-10-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-4.8 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 2.80 m 3.90 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 235 grams (0.52 pounds) 194 grams (0.43 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") 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 - 300 pictures
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI122 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $106 $280