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Pentax WG-3 vs Ricoh CX2

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 front
 
Ricoh CX2 front
Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
35
Overall
33

Pentax WG-3 vs Ricoh CX2 Key Specs

Pentax WG-3
(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
  • Revealed July 2013
Ricoh CX2
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
  • 185g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Launched August 2009
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Pentax WG-3 vs Ricoh CX2 Overview

Here is a extended comparison of the Pentax WG-3 and Ricoh CX2, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Pentax and Ricoh. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the WG-3 (16MP) and CX2 (9MP) but they possess the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The WG-3 was introduced 3 years later than the CX2 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a more detailed comparison, below is a short highlight of how the WG-3 grades vs the CX2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Ricoh CX2

 WG-3 CX2 
LaunchedJuly 2013August 2009Fresher by 48 months

Reasons to pick Ricoh CX2 over the Pentax WG-3

 CX2 WG-3 
Screen resolution920k460kCrisper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 and Ricoh CX2

 WG-3 CX2 
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Pentax WG-3 vs Ricoh CX2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax WG-3 features physical measurements of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Ricoh CX2 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax WG-3 and Ricoh CX2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the WG-3 versus the CX2.

Pentax WG-3 vs Ricoh CX2 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the WG-3 and CX2 is 90 and 93 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 vs Ricoh CX2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Ricoh CX2 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to envision the gap in sensor sizing merely by going through technical specs. The photograph underneath may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the WG-3 and CX2.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Pentax WG-3 to produce greater detail using its extra 7MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more modern WG-3 will have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax WG-3 vs Ricoh CX2 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Ricoh CX2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 vs Ricoh CX2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Portrait photography info
Ricoh CX2 Portrait photography info
41
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
provides face detection autofocus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
25
you can focus manually
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
resolution not great (9 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Street photography factors
Ricoh CX2 Street photography factors
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (185 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Sports photography info
Ricoh CX2 Sports photography info
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proof
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (240 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
26
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (9MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Travel photography details
Ricoh CX2 Travel photography details
72
weather proof
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery life (240 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
66
lighter than competitors (185g)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
very long reach (300mm)
resolution not great (9 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax WG-3
Landscape photography with Ricoh CX2
54
focusing manually
relatively wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
weather proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
not so great battery life (240 per charge)
42
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
resolution not great (9 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Vlogging advice
Ricoh CX2 Vlogging advice
36
relatively wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone jack
30
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (185g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
missing external mic port
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Pentax WG-3 vs Ricoh CX2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 and Ricoh CX2
 Pentax WG-3Ricoh CX2
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Ricoh
Model type Pentax WG-3 Ricoh CX2
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-07-19 2009-08-20
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Smooth Imaging Engine IV
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 16MP 9MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 3456 x 2592
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Min native ISO 125 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 28-300mm (10.7x)
Max aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.5-5.6
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 8s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.40 m 3.00 m (ISO 400)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 230g (0.51 pounds) 185g (0.41 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 DB-70
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 10 or Custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $300 $341