Ricoh G700SE vs Samsung NX20: A Hands-On Comparison for the Savvy Photographer

Choosing a new camera can feel like navigating a jungle of specs, marketing buzzwords, and conflicting reviews - especially when the contenders couldn’t be more different in design and purpose. Today, I’m diving deep into two quite distinct models: the rugged Ricoh G700SE, a tough, waterproof compact from 2010, and the more sophisticated Samsung NX20 mirrorless from 2012. Both have their niches, and I’ve spent hours shooting with each, so buckle up for my thorough, no-fluff comparison.

Meet the Contenders: Who Are the Ricoh G700SE and Samsung NX20?

Before we push pixels and compare sensor scores, it’s vital to understand what these cameras are designed for. The Ricoh G700SE is a compact, ultra-rugged, waterproof camera with basic features. Picture an all-terrain point-and-shoot intended for extreme conditions - think construction sites, underwater environments, or dusty trails. It’s not aiming for photographic bravado but survival and simple operation.

Contrast that with the Samsung NX20, an advanced mirrorless camera featuring an APS-C sensor, interchangeable lenses, and a body that tries to marry DSLR ergonomics with mirrorless portability. Its launch represented Samsung’s serious bid into the enthusiast market, complete with manual controls, fast continuous shooting, and a decent autofocus system.

These cameras live in different ecosystems - and understanding that helps set realistic expectations.

Body, Build, and Ergonomics: Toughness vs. Control

If you prize durability over dials, the Ricoh G700SE excels. It measures just 117x68x32mm and weighs a featherlight 307 grams, all in a shock- and waterproof shell rated for wet, dusty, and demanding environments. It’s trustworthy in places most DSLRs would fear being - waterproof without a housing, resistant to some drops, and freeze-proof to a degree. However, it’s a compact bore: no viewfinder, no articulating screen, and controls that are minimal with no classic exposure modes.

In contrast, the Samsung NX20 is bulkier at 122x90x40 mm and a still-manageable 341 grams. Not ruggedized in any way, it’s built with a polycarbonate body over a metal frame, sporting a more substantial grip and a slew of buttons and dials. The top view comparison highlights Samsung’s thoughtful control layout, giving tactile feedback and clubs for your thumbs and forefingers that greatly enhance handling. The NX20 has an electronic viewfinder and a fully articulated OLED screen - very generous for its time.

For those who shoot outdoors in precarious environments, the Ricoh’s weather sealing is nothing to underestimate. But for anyone using lens swaps, manual focusing, or exposure manipulation, the NX20’s body wins hands down.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Real Difference Maker

When it comes to image quality, sensor size matters - a lot. The Ricoh G700SE sports a small 1/2.3” CCD sensor of 12 megapixels - standard fare for rugged compacts of that era. The sensor size comparison tells a story: the G700SE’s sensor is drastically smaller (~28 mm²) compared to the Samsung NX20’s APS-C CMOS sensor (~369 mm²), which is over 13x larger in surface area.

Why does this matter? Larger sensors collect more light per pixel, generally resulting in better dynamic range, less noise at high ISO, and superior color depth. The NX20’s 20-megapixel APS-C sensor, although not the latest tech today, still rivals many entry-level DSLRs from its time. It shoots in RAW, allowing photographers to extract detail and nuance impossible with older compact JPEG-only shooters like the G700SE.

I put both through a battery of tests in controlled lighting and real-world scenes: the Ricoh struggled in low light, producing noisy, washed-out images starting around ISO 400. Its fixed lens meant that bokeh control and focal flexibility were limited; the max aperture of F3.5-5.5 isn’t aggressive either.

By comparison, the NX20 delivered clean images with vibrant colors and respectable dynamic range even at ISO 800 and above. The native ISO 100–12800 gave loads of breathing room for everything from bright landscapes to dim interiors.

For artists chasing fine detail, landscape photographers who care about shadows and highlights, or anyone shooting portraits, the NX20’s sensor is a decisive advantage.

Displays and Viewfinders: What You See Is What You Get

Now, let’s talk user feedback. Ricoh’s G700SE features a fixed 3-inch LCD screen with 920k dots - pretty sharp for its era but with no touch capability or articulation. No electronic viewfinder (EVF) means shooting is all live-view on the screen, which can be challenging in bright sunlight.

The NX20 replaces that with a 3-inch, fully articulated Active Matrix OLED screen. While only 614k dots, the OLED technology offers excellent contrast and deep blacks, a distinct delight when checking focus or framing tricky angles. This flip screen is genuinely useful for street and macro photographers who want to shoot from unconventional positions or compose low-to-ground.

The Samsung also has a sharp EVF with 100% coverage and 0.7x magnification that’s easy on the eyes. This feature alone makes the NX20 better suited for shooting in strong daylight or when you need precise framing without glare.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Fast and Flexible vs. Basic Contrast Detection

The Ricoh G700SE relies solely on contrast-detection autofocus with no face or eye-detection support - a limitation when shooting moving subjects. It offers only single AF mode and no continuous autofocus tracking, making it better suited for static or slow-moving subjects.

The Samsung NX20 offers a 15-point autofocus system with live view, face detection, and selective area AF. While lacking advanced phase-detect systems common today, it performs far better in tracking during action and low light, helping get sharper shots when subjects move unpredictably. Thanks to the Samsung’s continuous shooting speed of 8 frames per second, capturing fleeting moments in wildlife or sports becomes viable.

In terms of shutter speed ranges, the NX20 goes from 30 sec up to an impressive 1/8000 sec, essential for freezing high-speed action or shooting wide open in bright light. The G700SE maxes out at a much slower 1/1500 sec shutter, limiting creative flexibility.

Lens Ecosystem: Fixed Simplicity vs. Interchangeable Power

Given their target markets, the Ricoh G700SE comes with a single fixed lens covering 28-140mm equivalent focal lengths - about 5x zoom with an aperture range f/3.5-5.5. This versatile zoom offers close macro capabilities down to 1cm, but you’re locked in. It’s a lens designed for convenience and durability, not for optical excellence or creative expression.

The Samsung NX20 uses the Samsung NX mount, which had roughly 32 native lenses at launch (and more third-party options developed later). This includes fast primes, macro lenses, wide-angle lenses, and telephotos - so you can build a system tailored to your style. Need a bright f/1.4 prime for portraits or a super-telephoto zoom for birding? The NX20 supports that. This ecosystem flexibility gives the NX20 enormous creative potential.

Durability and Environmental Resistance: When Life Gets Rough

If you work or adventure in extreme conditions, the Ricoh G700SE stands alone here. It’s fully waterproof, designed to survive dirt, splashes, rain, and being dropped (to an extent), making it perfect for underwater documenters, construction pros, or extreme sports enthusiasts.

The Samsung NX20 is a classic mirrorless camera requiring care in harsh environments. No dust sealing, no splashproofing, and the delicate lens mount mean you’ll want some dry shade and careful handling.

Outdoor pros needing ruggedness should gravitate to the Ricoh; creatives prioritizing image quality might want to keep a weather-sealed DSLR or mirrorless model pool nearby.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity: Modern Conveniences vs. Basic Functionality

The Ricoh G700SE uses a proprietary battery (DB-60), with no official battery life rating, but expect moderate performance given its simple sensor and fewer power-hungry features. Storage options include a single SD/SDHC slot and some internal storage. No wireless or HDMI ports exist here, reflecting its 2010 compact origins.

The Samsung NX20 offers a proper battery rated around 360 shots per charge (a bit optimistic). It uses SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and sports USB 2.0 & mini HDMI ports for computer and monitor connections. It also has built-in Wi-Fi (rare at its time), expanding possibilities for tethering and quick image sharing - a big plus for modern workflows.

In-Field Performance Across Photography Genres

Portrait Photography

The NX20’s larger APS-C sensor and interchangeable lenses deliver beautifully smooth skin tones and natural bokeh that the Ricoh’s tiny sensor and slow lens simply can’t match. Samsung’s face detection AF is a bonus. The G700SE can produce adequate portraits in good light but lacks background separation.

Landscape Photography

Ricoh’s ruggedness and macro capabilities let you get environmental shots under adverse weather. But the NX20’s superior dynamic range and resolution (5472x3648 vs 4000x3000) produce deeply detailed, vibrant landscapes when conditions allow.

Wildlife and Sports

The NX20 dominates here with 8fps burst, decent AF system, and telephoto lens options. The Ricoh G700SE’s fixed zoom and sluggish AF make it ill-suited for action or wildlife.

Street Photography

The Ricoh’s compact size and silent shutter plus waterproofing make it a useful discrete companion in wet urban environments. The NX20 is more visible and larger but offers richer image quality and manual controls.

Macro Photography

The Ricoh’s 1 cm macro focusing distance offers close-ups in a tough package. However, the NX20, with macro lenses and focus peaking (firmwares permitting), provides higher resolution and finer details - if you don’t mind bulk.

Night and Astrophotography

Again, the NX20’s ISO performance and manual exposure override allow longer exposures and cleaner images, while the Ricoh is hampered by noise and limited exposure control.

Video Capabilities

The Ricoh shoots only low-res VGA video (640x480) at best, clearly a secondary function. The Samsung NX20 pushes full HD 1080p video at 30fps using H.264 with clean manual controls and an external microphone port, making it usable for casual vlogging and content creation.

Travel and Versatility

The Ricoh’s waterproof body, compact size, and simple operation make it a no-brainer for harsh travel environments. The NX20, while larger, is versatile and capable of covering nearly any photographic style but demands more care.

Professional Use

The NX20 offers RAW support, manual exposure, and decent workflow integration. The Ricoh can’t shoot RAW or deliver pro-level controls, making it a backup or niche tool rather than a centerpiece of a prosumer kit.

Scorecards and Value: Which Performs Where?

Ricoh G700SE front Ricoh G700SE screen back Samsung NX20 front Samsung NX20 screen back

You’ll notice in both lab tests and real-world shooting the NX20 outperforms the G700SE in raw image quality, autofocus, speed, video, and ergonomics - scoring notably higher in almost every category except durability and low-demand simplicity.

Pricing is tricky since the Ricoh G700SE is out of production and was a niche industrial tool, often dipped below $500 in used markets. The Samsung NX20 launched at around $1100 body-only, but prices have since dropped.

For its price, the NX20 offers excellent value for serious photography enthusiasts seeking image quality and flexibility. The Ricoh is a specialized tool for users needing ruggedness above all.

The Bottom Line: Who Should Buy Which?

Buy the Ricoh G700SE if:

• You need a camera that won’t quit in wet, dusty, or rough conditions
• Shooting is mostly documentary or casual snapshots where image quality is less critical
• You want a compact, waterproof, and affordable camera for travel or hazardous jobs
• Macro capabilities down to 1cm without fuss is a priority
• Video and burst rates are not essential

Buy the Samsung NX20 if:

• You want a solid enthusiast-level mirrorless camera with excellent image quality
• Flexibility in lenses and creative control matters
• You shoot portraits, landscapes, or action requiring fast AF and high resolution
• You want better video capability and connectivity options
• You prefer DSLR-style ergonomics with a compact footprint

Final Words: My Personal Take

Having trekked with the Ricoh into wet forests and photographed dusty roadside scenes, I can vouch that it feels like a tank designed to never bail on you. But if you want images to rival modern compact systems or plan on creative exploration, I’d take the Samsung NX20 every time. Its sensor, lens system, and ergonomics offer more growth potential for the passionate shooter.

If your budget’s tight but you want quality, watch the used market for the NX20 or later Samsung NX models, which brought further improvements. But if your gigs or hobbies punish cameras physically, the G700SE still holds unique value.

Whichever way you lean, understanding these tools by their intended use and real-world behavior will set you up for happiness behind the lens. I hope this deep dive helped clear the fog!

Happy shooting!

• A hands-on retinal processor (aka your friendly camera gear nerd)

Summary Table of Key Differences

If you want guidance on lenses for the NX20 or waterproof housings for DSLRs, I’m happy to help - drop me a line anytime.