Ricoh WG-20 vs Sony a5100

Following is a in-depth assessment of the Ricoh WG-20 vs Sony a5100, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Ricoh and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the WG-20 (14MP) and a5100 (24MP) and the WG-20 (1/2.3") and a5100 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizing.

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The WG-20 was introduced 6 months before the a5100 which means that they are of a similar generation. The two cameras feature different body design with the Ricoh WG-20 being a Compact camera and the Sony a5100 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a more detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the WG-20 scores against the a5100 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Ricoh WG-20 and Sony Alpha a5100. The whole galleries are viewable at Ricoh WG-20 Gallery and Sony a5100 Gallery.

If you're aiming to carry around your camera, you will have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Ricoh WG-20 has got outer measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs) and the Sony a5100 has dimensions of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") along with a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

Contrast the Ricoh WG-20 vs Sony a5100 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached at that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the WG-20 vs the a5100.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the WG-20 and a5100 is 93 and 89 respectively.

In many cases, it is hard to envision the gap in sensor sizes only by looking through a spec sheet. The picture here may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-20 and a5100.

As you can see, each of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The WG-20 using its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Sony a5100 will render greater detail using its extra 10MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots way more aggressively.