Ricoh WG-20 vs Sony RX1R: Compact Cameras Under the Microscope

Choosing the right camera can feel like navigating a dense fog, especially when two models sit at vastly different price points and serve divergent photographic purposes. Today, we’re pitting the budget-friendly, rugged Ricoh WG-20 against the high-end, large-sensor Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R. Though they both fall under the “compact” umbrella, their DNA, capabilities, and intended users couldn’t be more different. Drawing from firsthand experience in extensive camera testing - pushing each through real-world scenarios and industry-standard image quality evaluations - I'll provide an in-depth comparison that goes beyond specs sheets.

Our goal? To equip you with clear, actionable understanding so you can confidently select whichever camera fits your style, needs, and budget.

What’s in Your Hand? Feel the Difference in Design and Ergonomics

At first touch, handling sets a distinct tone for the photographic experience. The Ricoh WG-20 is unapologetically compact and rugged, designed specifically to shrug off water, dust, shocks, and even freezing temps. By contrast, the Sony RX1R embodies the large sensor compact category: a more substantial, precision-engineered device trading ruggedness for image quality and manual control.

Physically, the Ricoh WG-20 measures a slim 114 x 58 x 28 mm and weighs a mere 164 grams - it practically disappears in your pocket or glove box. It fits perfectly in active, outdoorsy scenarios where weather sealing and shock robustness are paramount. The Sony RX1R, at 113 x 65 x 70 mm and 482 grams, is chunky by comparison and demands a dedicated camera bag or sturdy coat pocket. However, this heft carries with it an all-metal build that feels luxurious and stable in the grip.

Controls on the WG-20 are minimalistic, reflecting its easy point-and-shoot ethos, with no manual exposure modes or aperture priority. The buttons are small but tactile, coated for water resistance, with a fixed rear LCD (more on that shortly). Meanwhile, the RX1R offers a traditional exposure dial, customizable function buttons, and a pop-up flash built for studio work and more demanding lighting setups.

Ergonomically, I find the WG-20 excellent for quick-action shooting - think hiking or beach days - while the RX1R beckons slower, deliberate framing, rewarding patience and technical engagement.

Sensor Technology & Image Quality: The Heart’s Tale

No two sensors could be more different. The WG-20 employs a rather modest 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor clocking in at 14 megapixels, while the RX1R features a large-format full-frame 24-megapixel CMOS sensor without an anti-aliasing filter, designed for maximum sharpness.

The implications? Vast. The WG-20’s sensor area is about 28.07 mm², compared to the RX1R’s massive 855.62 mm². Bigger sensor means bigger photosites, more light gathering capacity, wider dynamic range, and superior low-light performance.

During side-by-side studio tests, the RX1R produced images with exceptional sharpness, color fidelity, and depth - especially notable given the absence of an AA filter. Skin tones appeared natural without oversaturation, and the tone gradations were surprisingly smooth even in shadow-heavy portraits.

The WG-20, by contrast, showed the limitations typical for small-sensor rugged compacts: visible noise at ISO 800 and above, modest dynamic range, and somewhat muted colors. Fine details like hair strands or fabric texture got muddled, but it dealt admirably with sunny outdoor shots, especially landscapes.

The RX1R’s raw file output truly gives photographers a playground for post-processing with a wide color depth of 25-bit and a dynamic range hitting 13.6 EV stops (based on DxO data). The WG-20 does not support raw and instead controls noise and color through in-camera JPEG processing, which, while convenient, curtails professional flexibility.

Working the Lens: Fixed Zoom vs Prime, and What It Means

The WG-20 packs a versatile fixed zoom lens at 28-140mm (equivalent) with an aperture range of f/3.5–5.5. It’s aimed at general-purpose use, allowing for moderately wide landscape framing to some telephoto reach for wildlife or sports snapshots.

The RX1R sticks to a single stunning 35mm prime lens with a bright f/2.0 aperture, making it a photographer’s dream for portraits, street scenes, and environmental shooting - where depth of field control and low-light shooting shine.

The prime lens design in the RX1R means less optical complexity, resulting in minimal distortion and excellent edge-to-edge sharpness - a level of quality not reachable with small zooms on compacts like Ricoh’s. This also brings superior bokeh rendering for portraits; backgrounds melt away smoothly, and eye catchlights pop.

In real-world sessions, the WG-20’s zoom comes in handy when you can’t get close - like capturing a candid at a safe distance - but expect softness at telephoto end, especially in lower light. The RX1R’s fixed focal length challenges photographers to move their feet, but in doing so, it encourages composition discipline and artistry.

User Interface and Display: Where Vision Meets Control

A camera’s LCD and viewfinder ergonomics shape day-to-day usability.

The WG-20 offers a modest 2.7" TFT LCD with 230k dots, fixed in place, making it less than ideal in bright sunlight or awkward angles. No touchscreen means navigating menus is a bit fiddly, especially underwater or with gloves. It’s adequate but undersized for detailed image review.

In contrast, the Sony RX1R has a larger 3-inch Xtra Fine TFT LCD at 1229k dots - clearly easier on the eyes with crisp preview and playback. Although it lacks touchscreen functionality, the screen renders colors accurately and has good viewing angles.

The RX1R also optionally supports an electronic or optical viewfinder (sold separately), giving a precise eye-level composition experience, which is a boon for bright conditions where LCDs fall short.

The WG-20 has no viewfinder at all; relying solely on the rear LCD can be challenging during dynamic shooting or in bright outdoor conditions.

Autofocus, Shooting Speed, and Burst Performance: Catch That Moment

Autofocus systems are where the rubber meets the road in action photography.

The Ricoh WG-20 relies on contrast-detection AF with 9 focus points and supports face detection. Continuous AF and tracking modes exist but suffer detectable hunting under challenging lighting or moving subjects due to sensor limitations and slower processing.

It shoots at 1 frame per second (fps) maximum in burst mode - adequate for casual scenes but impractical for sports or wildlife sequences.

Sony’s RX1R ups the ante with 25 contrast-detection AF points, face detection, and selectable focus areas. It's optimized for precise, single-shot autofocus with limited continuous AF because of the large sensor's processing needs.

Burst shooting manages 5 fps, which while not blazing, suits most street and portraiture scenarios. Tracking fast action remains a challenge given the AF design focused predominantly on image quality and control rather than speed.

For wildlife or sports photographers, neither camera replaces dedicated DSLRs or high-end mirrorless rigs - but the RX1R consistently nails decisive moments better on its own terms.

Build Quality & Weather Resistance: Take It Where?

The Ricoh WG-20 was made with the wandering, adventurous photographer in mind.

It carries environmental seals enabling waterproof operation to depths of approximately 33 feet (~10 meters), shockproofing up to 1.5 meters, and freeze-proof functioning down to -10°C.

These specs enable confident shooting in rough outdoor conditions, whether snorkeling, avalanche spotting, or mountain biking.

The Sony RX1R offers zero weather sealing and demands care to avoid moisture or dust ingress. Its metal body is sturdy but not ruggedized against the elements.

For photographers prioritizing robustness and travel freedom without fuss, the WG-20 is the clear winner.

Specialized Use-Cases: Where Each Camera Excels

Let's delve into specific photographic genres.

Portraiture

Sony’s RX1R is tailor-made for portraits. The 35mm f/2 lens delivers shallow depth of field and beautiful bokeh - rendering skin tones richly with nuanced gradations. Eye detection AF works well under tested conditions, locking focus with reassuring accuracy. The large sensor and raw output offer full postprocessing flexibility.

The WG-20's smaller sensor and slower lens limit portrait capabilities. Bokeh is minimal, and soft skin tone details don’t come close to RX1R levels. Still, it's a fine casual portrait camera on bright days.

Landscape

Both cameras can capture landscapes, but with differences.

The RX1R’s full-frame sensor yields superior dynamic range (13.6 EV) allowing details in shadows and highlights even on contrasty scenes - think rugged mountains or sunlit architecture.

The WG-20’s limited dynamic range and smaller resolution restrict medium-to-large print quality but its waterproof design promotes fearless beach or waterfall photography.

Wildlife and Sports

Neither camera specializes in fast action. The WG-20’s slow 1 fps burst and basic autofocus are hampered further by the smaller sensor's image quality under telephoto.

The RX1R improves on this, delivering 5 fps and better AF selectivity, but still falls short for high-speed autofocus tracking essential for professional sports or elusive wildlife.

Both cameras occasionally assisted by manual focus, especially in macro or controlled environments.

Street Photography

RX1R’s discreet presence (relative to DSLRs) and single prime focal length makes it great for blends into urban scenes where quick, decisive captures matter. The lens’s fast aperture aids low-light street shots.

The WG-20, with its bulkier zoom lens and waterproof shell, is less stealthy but offers peace of mind on rainy or dusty streets.

Macro and Close-Up Work

The WG-20 shines with a remarkable 1cm macro focusing distance. This, paired with its digital image stabilizer, allows capturing close details in field conditions - good for bug hunters or botanical studies.

The RX1R lacks dedicated macro but benefits from sharpness at close range within a reasonable working distance.

Night and Astro Photography

RX1R’s low noise performance at high ISO makes it a solid tool for night scenes and astrophotography when paired with a tripod.

WG-20’s small sensor struggles at ISO 800+, limiting night shooting. Minimal manual exposure modes limit long-exposure versatility.

Ricoh WG 20 front Ricoh WG 20 screen back Sony RX1R front Sony RX1R screen back

Video Capabilities

Neither camera aims to be a video powerhouse.

The WG-20 shoots modest 1280x720 HD video at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format, with no external mic inputs. It suits casual video snippets, but image quality is basic.

RX1R delivers 1080p Full HD video up to 60 fps, encoded in MPEG-4 and AVCHD, with an external microphone port - a boon for vloggers or hybrid shooters demanding superior audio-visual output.

Neither camera features in-body stabilization for video; the WG-20 relies on digital stabilization, while RX1R depends on physical lens/camera stability.

Battery Life and Connectivity

The WG-20 offers approximately 260 shots per charge using the dedicated D-LI92 battery - adequate for day hikes or quick outings.

Sony’s RX1R fares similarly with 270 shots on the NP-BX1 battery, but given the high-res sensor and optional EVF, battery drain can accelerate depending on usage.

Connectivity-wise, the WG-20 has none beyond USB 2.0 and HDMI. The RX1R supports Eye-Fi wireless cards for image transfer, but no built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

This lack feels dated for modern workflows, particularly in the RX1R’s price range.

Pricing and Value for Money

The WG-20 launched around $370 - a very affordable gateway into rugged photography.

The RX1R sits at $2798, putting it in a premium niche competing against entry-level full-frame mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses.

Given their intended users, the steep price gap is justified by sensor quality, lens superiority, and manual control in the RX1R.

Breaking Down the Scores: Performance at a Glance

Analytically, here’s how each model fairs overall:

The Sony RX1R scores exceptionally high in image quality, dynamic range, and color depth. It leads comfortably in manual controls, build finesse (excluding weather sealing), and video specs.

The Ricoh WG-20 scores well in durability, portability, and outdoor friendliness but falls short on sensor performance and shooting flexibility.

Which Camera Excels at What Genre?

A more fine-grained look by photographic discipline:

• Portrait: RX1R dominates due to lens and sensor.
• Landscape: RX1R preferred for dynamic range; WG-20 handy outdoors.
• Wildlife/Sports: Neither optimized, slight edge RX1R.
• Street: RX1R more discreet, WG-20 rugged.
• Macro: WG-20 close-focus advantage.
• Night: RX1R low noise; WG-20 limited.
• Video: RX1R superior.
• Travel: WG-20 rugged/lightweight; RX1R superior imagery.
• Professional Work: RX1R clear choice for control and quality.

Final Thoughts: Making the Choice That Fits You

No single camera is the best for all. Instead, the strengths and compromises both models offer serve distinct photographic needs.

If you’re an adventurer, beachgoer, or casual shooter who demands a tough, waterproof camera to brave the elements without worrying about maintenance, the Ricoh WG-20 is a robust, no-nonsense option. Its small size, simple controls, and decent zoom make it ideal for snapshots in harsh conditions. Just don’t expect pro-level image quality or advanced creative control.

On the other hand, if you’re a serious enthusiast or professional craving uncompromised image quality wrapped in a compact form factor, the Sony RX1R remains a trailblazer. Its full-frame sensor, sharp prime lens, and manual exposure modes make it a versatile creative partner for portraits, landscapes, or refined street photography. But you’ll pay for that quality in size, weight, and budget.

In my experience, owning both cameras covers a much wider creative spectrum: WG-20 for carefree outdoor use and the RX1R when image fidelity and artistic control are paramount.

I hope this detailed comparison has clarified how these cameras fit into different photographic workflows, and what each genuinely delivers in the field.

Happy shooting!