Ricoh WG-20 vs Sony NEX-5
93 Imaging
38 Features
36 Overall
37


89 Imaging
53 Features
58 Overall
55
Ricoh WG-20 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs
(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
- Announced February 2014
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Revealed June 2010
- Later Model is Sony NEX-5N

Ricoh WG-20 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview
On this page, we will be reviewing the Ricoh WG-20 versus Sony NEX-5, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Ricoh and Sony. The resolution of the WG-20 (14MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is pretty well matched but the WG-20 (1/2.3") and NEX-5 (APS-C) boast different sensor sizing.

The WG-20 was announced 3 years later than the NEX-5 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Ricoh WG-20 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple overview of how the WG-20 grades against the NEX-5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Ricoh WG-20 vs Sony NEX-5 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Ricoh WG-20 & Sony Alpha NEX-5. The whole galleries are viewable at Ricoh WG-20 Gallery & Sony NEX-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-20 over the Sony NEX-5
WG-20 | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2014 | ![]() | June 2010 | More recent by 45 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Ricoh WG-20
NEX-5 | WG-20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Ricoh WG-20 and Sony NEX-5
WG-20 | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Missing Touch screen |
Ricoh WG-20 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to lug around your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Ricoh WG-20 has got exterior measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5 has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).
Compare the Ricoh WG-20 versus Sony NEX-5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have at the time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the WG-20 versus the NEX-5.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the WG-20 and NEX-5 is 93 and 89 respectively.

Ricoh WG-20 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's difficult to visualize the gap between sensor measurements only by checking technical specs. The graphic here will offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-20 and NEX-5.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras have the same megapixels albeit different sensor measurements. The WG-20 has the tinier sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower DOF tougher. The younger WG-20 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Ricoh WG-20 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh WG-20 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications
Ricoh WG-20 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Ricoh | Sony |
Model | Ricoh WG-20 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 |
Class | Waterproof | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2014-02-05 | 2010-06-07 |
Physical type | Compact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4592 x 3056 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 200 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | Sony E |
Lens focal range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | - |
Max aperture | f/3.5-5.5 | - |
Macro focus range | 1cm | - |
Amount of lenses | - | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display size | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1500 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0fps | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 4.00 m (Auto ISO) | 12.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | - | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30p, 15p), 640 x 480 (30p, 15p), 320 x 240 (30p, 15p) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 164g (0.36 lb) | 287g (0.63 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | 69 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.2 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.2 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 796 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 260 pictures | 330 pictures |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | D-LI92 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $370 | $599 |