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Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-M1

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Pentax Optio VS20 front
 
Ricoh WG-M1 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
22
Overall
32

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-M1 Key Specs

Pentax VS20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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-M1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 1.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • (1×)mm (F2.8) lens
  • 190g - 66 x 43 x 89mm
  • Released September 2014
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Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-M1 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-M1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof by brands Pentax and Ricoh. The sensor resolution of the VS20 (16MP) and the WG-M1 (14MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The VS20 was manufactured 3 years prior to the WG-M1 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the VS20 grades versus the WG-M1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Ricoh WG-M1

 VS20 WG-M1 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen dimensions3"1.5"Bigger screen (+1.5")
Screen resolution460k115kSharper screen (+345k dot)

Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-M1 over the Pentax VS20

 WG-M1 VS20 
ReleasedSeptember 2014January 2012More modern by 32 months

Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Ricoh WG-M1

 VS20 WG-M1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-M1 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Pentax VS20 provides exterior dimensions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") having a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs) whilst the Ricoh WG-M1 has proportions of 66mm x 43mm x 89mm (2.6" x 1.7" x 3.5") accompanied by a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs).

Check the Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-M1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the VS20 and the WG-M1.

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-M1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the VS20 and WG-M1 is 90 and 91 respectively.

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-M1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-M1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizes only by checking technical specs. The image underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the VS20 and WG-M1.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Pentax VS20 to give extra detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots more aggressively. The more aged VS20 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-M1 sensor size comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-M1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-M1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax VS20 Portrait photography factors
Ricoh WG-M1 Portrait photography factors
36
manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
30
decent MP (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax VS20 Street photography info
Ricoh WG-M1 Street photography info
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (235 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
53
weather sealing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
max ISO too low (800)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax VS20 Sports photography details
Ricoh WG-M1 Sports photography details
44
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
38
decent MP (14MP)
weather sealing
better than average battery power (350 CIPA)
can't change focal length ((1×)mm)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax VS20 as a Travel photography camera
Ricoh WG-M1 as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than others in class (235 grams)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
great zoom (560mm)
no Time Lapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
64
better than average battery power (350 CIPA)
weather sealing
decent MP (14MP)
lack of Timelapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax VS20 Landscape photography highlights
Ricoh WG-M1 Landscape photography highlights
47
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
35
decent MP (14 megapixels)
weather sealing
better than average battery power (350 CIPA)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length ((1×)mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (1.5")
no manual mode
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
max ISO too low (800)
no RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax VS20 as a Vlogging camera
Ricoh WG-M1 as a Vlogging camera
30
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (235 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic socket
26
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
lack of microphone socket
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Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh WG-M1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax VS20 and Ricoh WG-M1
 Pentax Optio VS20Ricoh WG-M1
General Information
Brand Pentax Ricoh
Model Pentax Optio VS20 Ricoh WG-M1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Released 2012-01-25 2014-09-12
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 3 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) (1×)
Largest aperture f/3.1-4.8 f/2.8
Macro focus range 3cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 1.5 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 115 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds -
Highest shutter speed 1/2500 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 2.80 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft no built-in flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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 960 (50p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p), 848 x 480 (60p, 120p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone 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 235g (0.52 lb) 190g (0.42 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") 66 x 43 x 89mm (2.6" x 1.7" x 3.5")
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 - 350 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI122 DB-65
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal microSD/microSDHC, internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $106 $2,000