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Pentax W90 vs Ricoh WG-4

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Pentax Optio W90 front
 
Ricoh WG-4 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41

Pentax W90 vs Ricoh WG-4 Key Specs

Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Launched February 2010
Ricoh WG-4
(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
  • Introduced February 2014
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Pentax W90 vs Ricoh WG-4 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Pentax W90 vs Ricoh WG-4, both Waterproof cameras by rivals Pentax and Ricoh. There is a considerable difference among the sensor resolutions of the W90 (12MP) and WG-4 (16MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The W90 was launched 5 years before the WG-4 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the W90 scores against the WG-4 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Ricoh WG-4

 W90 WG-4 

Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-4 over the Pentax W90

 WG-4 W90 
IntroducedFebruary 2014February 2010More modern by 48 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Pentax W90 and Ricoh WG-4

 W90 WG-4 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Pentax W90 vs Ricoh WG-4 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Pentax W90 provides external measurements of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") with a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs) and the Ricoh WG-4 has dimensions of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax W90 vs Ricoh WG-4 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose during that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the W90 versus the WG-4.

Pentax W90 vs Ricoh WG-4 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the W90 and WG-4 is 94 and 90 respectively.

Pentax W90 vs Ricoh WG-4 top view buttons comparison

Pentax W90 vs Ricoh WG-4 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizes simply by researching specs. The image here will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the W90 and WG-4.

All in all, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Ricoh WG-4 to result in extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos more aggressively. The more aged W90 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Pentax W90 vs Ricoh WG-4 sensor size comparison

Pentax W90 vs Ricoh WG-4 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax W90 vs Ricoh WG-4 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax W90 Portrait photography advice
Ricoh WG-4 Portrait photography advice
27
has manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
41
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
features face detect autofocus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax W90 Street photography details
Ricoh WG-4 Street photography details
54
environment sealing
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax W90
Sports photography with Ricoh WG-4
24
environment sealing
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (240 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax W90 as a Travel photography camera
Ricoh WG-4 as a Travel photography camera
64
environment sealing
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
72
weather proofing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery pack (240 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax W90 Landscape photography features
Ricoh WG-4 Landscape photography features
37
has manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
environment sealing
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
54
focusing manually
decently wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
not so great battery pack (240 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax W90 Vlogging details
Ricoh WG-4 Vlogging details
25
fairly wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic port
36
decently wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not posses selfie friendly display
missing mic support
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Pentax W90 vs Ricoh WG-4 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax W90 and Ricoh WG-4
 Pentax Optio W90Ricoh WG-4
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Ricoh
Model type Pentax Optio W90 Ricoh WG-4
Type Waterproof Waterproof
Launched 2010-02-24 2014-02-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.90 m 10.00 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye, on + redeye
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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)
Highest 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 164g (0.36 pounds) 230g (0.51 pounds)
Physical dimensions 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 240 photographs
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI68 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $120 $330