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Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-4

Portability
90
Imaging
38
Features
35
Overall
36
Pentax Optio VS20 front
 
Ricoh WG-4 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
44
Overall
41

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-4 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
  • Announced January 2012
Ricoh WG-4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 230g - 124 x 64 x 33mm
  • Released February 2014
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Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-4 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-4, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Waterproof by manufacturers Pentax and Ricoh. The image resolution of the VS20 (16MP) and the WG-4 (16MP) is relatively well matched and they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The VS20 was unveiled 24 months before the WG-4 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the VS20 grades versus the WG-4 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Ricoh WG-4

 VS20 WG-4 

Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-4 over the Pentax VS20

 WG-4 VS20 
ReleasedFebruary 2014January 2012Newer by 24 months

Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Ricoh WG-4

 VS20 WG-4 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-4 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax VS20 features outer measurements of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs) and the Ricoh WG-4 has dimensions of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-4 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using during that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the VS20 vs the WG-4.

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-4 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the VS20 and WG-4 is 90 and 90 respectively.

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-4 top view buttons comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-4 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to see the gap between sensor dimensions simply by reading through a spec sheet. The picture here might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the VS20 and WG-4.

Clearly, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the identical MP therefore you should expect similar quality of pictures although you should always factor the release date of the products into consideration. The more aged VS20 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-4 sensor size comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-4 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-4 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax VS20
Portrait photography with Ricoh WG-4
36
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
no manual mode
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
40
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
comes with face detection focusing
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax VS20
Street photography with Ricoh WG-4
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax VS20 Sports photography details
Ricoh WG-4 Sports photography details
44
incredible zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
low fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
44
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather sealing
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (240 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax VS20 Travel photography highlights
Ricoh WG-4 Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than competition (235g)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
long zoom (560mm)
no Time Lapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
72
weather sealing
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery pack (240 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax VS20 as a Landscape photography camera
Ricoh WG-4 as a Landscape photography camera
46
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
53
focusing manually
quite wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
weather sealing
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
not so great battery pack (240 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax VS20 Vlogging info
Ricoh WG-4 Vlogging info
30
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic socket
36
quite wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic support
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Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-4 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax VS20 and Ricoh WG-4
 Pentax Optio VS20Ricoh WG-4
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Ricoh
Model Pentax Optio VS20 Ricoh WG-4
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Announced 2012-01-25 2014-02-05
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 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
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
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
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) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-4.8 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focus distance 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2500 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 2.80 m 10.00 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye, on + redeye
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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 (60p, 30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 235g (0.52 lb) 230g (0.51 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3")
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 - 240 photos
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI122 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $106 $330