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Ricoh WG-20 vs Sony S980

Portability
93
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Ricoh WG-20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Ricoh WG-20 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Ricoh WG-20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Introduced February 2014
Sony S980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Released February 2009
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Ricoh WG-20 vs Sony S980 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Ricoh WG-20 versus Sony S980, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Ricoh and Sony. The resolution of the WG-20 (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is very close and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The WG-20 was brought out 5 years after the S980 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a thorough comparison, here is a simple overview of how the WG-20 scores versus the S980 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-20 over the Sony S980

 WG-20 S980 
ReleasedFebruary 2014February 2009More modern by 61 months

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Ricoh WG-20

 S980 WG-20 

Common features in the Ricoh WG-20 and Sony S980

 WG-20 S980 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Ricoh WG-20 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Ricoh WG-20 provides external measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Analyze the Ricoh WG-20 versus Sony S980 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use during that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the WG-20 and the S980.

Ricoh WG-20 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the WG-20 and S980 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Ricoh WG-20 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh WG-20 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to picture the gap in sensor sizes merely by researching specs. The image underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-20 and S980.

All in all, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You can expect to see the Ricoh WG-20 to render more detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics way more aggressively. The fresher WG-20 should have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Ricoh WG-20 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Ricoh WG-20 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh WG-20 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh WG-20 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S980 as a Portrait photography camera
39
manual focus
good MP (14MP)
comes with face detect focusing
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
27
focusing manually
no manual mode
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Ricoh WG-20 Street photography details
Sony S980 Street photography details
62
has image stabilization (Digital)
weather proof
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
47
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh WG-20 Sports photography factors
Sony S980 Sports photography factors
44
has image stabilization (Digital)
good MP (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
17
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Ricoh WG-20
Travel photography with Sony S980
71
weather proof
good MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
51
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh WG-20 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S980 as a Landscape photography camera
47
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
good MP (14MP)
weather proof
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
27
focusing manually
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh WG-20 Vlogging information
Sony S980 Vlogging information
30
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
comes with face detect focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone support
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic port
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Ricoh WG-20 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh WG-20 and Sony S980
 Ricoh WG-20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Manufacturer Ricoh Sony
Model Ricoh WG-20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2014-02-05 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/1500s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m (Auto ISO) 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p, 15p), 640 x 480 (30p, 15p), 320 x 240 (30p, 15p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 164g (0.36 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $370 $300