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Ricoh WG-20 vs Samsung PL170

Portability
93
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37
Ricoh WG-20 front
 
Samsung PL170 front
Portability
99
Imaging
39
Features
20
Overall
31

Ricoh WG-20 vs Samsung PL170 Key Specs

Ricoh WG-20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released February 2014
Samsung PL170
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 0 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • n/ag - 95 x 57 x 19mm
  • Revealed January 2011
Photography Glossary

Ricoh WG-20 vs Samsung PL170 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Ricoh WG-20 and Samsung PL170, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Ricoh and Samsung. The image resolution of the WG-20 (14MP) and the PL170 (16MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The WG-20 was announced 3 years after the PL170 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Ricoh WG-20 being a Compact camera and the Samsung PL170 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the WG-20 scores vs the PL170 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-20 over the Samsung PL170

 WG-20 PL170 
RevealedFebruary 2014January 2011More modern by 38 months
Manual focus More precise focus

Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Ricoh WG-20

 PL170 WG-20 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Ricoh WG-20 and Samsung PL170

 WG-20 PL170 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Ricoh WG-20 vs Samsung PL170 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and volume. The Ricoh WG-20 has got physical measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs) while the Samsung PL170 has sizing of 95mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Contrast the Ricoh WG-20 and Samsung PL170 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the WG-20 vs the PL170.

Ricoh WG-20 vs Samsung PL170 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the WG-20 and PL170 is 93 and 99 respectively.

Ricoh WG-20 vs Samsung PL170 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh WG-20 vs Samsung PL170 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizes purely by looking at technical specs. The image below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the WG-20 and PL170.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Samsung PL170 to give extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The newer WG-20 should have an edge in sensor innovation.

Ricoh WG-20 vs Samsung PL170 sensor size comparison

Ricoh WG-20 vs Samsung PL170 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh WG-20 vs Samsung PL170 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh WG-20 Portrait photography information
Samsung PL170 Portrait photography information
40
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has face detect autofocus
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
30
good MP (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Ricoh WG-20 Street photography advice
Samsung PL170 Street photography advice
62
image stabilization (Digital)
weather proof
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
50
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh WG-20 Sports photography factors
Samsung PL170 Sports photography factors
44
image stabilization (Digital)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has tracking focus
weather proof
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
27
good MP (16 megapixels)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh WG-20 as a Travel photography camera
Samsung PL170 as a Travel photography camera
71
weather proof
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
71
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
good maximum aperture (f)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh WG-20 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung PL170 as a Landscape photography camera
47
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Digital)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
weather proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
39
good maximum aperture (f)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good MP (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Ricoh WG-20
Vlogging with Samsung PL170
31
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Digital)
has face detect autofocus
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic socket
27
good maximum aperture (f)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic jack
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Ricoh WG-20 vs Samsung PL170 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh WG-20 and Samsung PL170
 Ricoh WG-20Samsung PL170
General Information
Brand Ricoh Samsung
Model type Ricoh WG-20 Samsung PL170
Category Waterproof Ultracompact
Released 2014-02-05 2011-01-05
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 -
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) ()
Max aperture f/3.5-5.5 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m (Auto ISO) -
Flash modes Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye -
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p, 15p), 640 x 480 (30p, 15p), 320 x 240 (30p, 15p) 1280 x 720
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 164 gr (0.36 lb) -
Physical dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 260 photos -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal -
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $370 $175