Ricoh WG-20 vs Sony TX66

Ricoh WG-20 vs Sony Cyber-shot TX66: A Tale of Two Compact Cameras in the Wild

Whenever I pick up a compact camera these days, I find myself reflecting on just how specialized the market has become. Are we chasing pocket convenience? Ruggedness? Image quality? Or a sophisticated blend of all three? Today’s deep dive matches two very different cameras released within two years of each other - the rugged Ricoh WG-20 and the ultracompact Sony Cyber-shot TX66. Both come from reputable brands and cater to casual shooters, but their design philosophies couldn’t be more distinct. I’ve spent time testing and comparing them, and in this article, we explore how they stack up across a variety of photographic use cases, technical considerations, and real-world user experience.

Let’s start by sizing them up - literally.

Size and Ergonomics: Rugged vs Sleek Pocketability

When comparing these two, the first impression is their physical presence. The Ricoh WG-20 is designed like a tank disguised as a compact, promising to endure the elements, while the Sony TX66 opts for minimalist ultra-portability.

The WG-20’s body measures a sturdy 114x58x28 mm and weighs 164 grams. In hand, it has a substantial grip and feels dependable - exactly what you want when facing rough outdoor conditions. The chunky form factor aids stability during shooting and makes it easy to hold steady without a tripod in casual outdoor situations.

Meanwhile, the Sony TX66 is a mere 93x54x13 mm and tiptoes in at 109 grams. It slips easily into a pocket or tiny purse, perfect for daily carry or travel when bulk is a worry. Its slim profile and clean design give it a sophisticated vibe, but at the expense of grip comfort, especially if your fingers are on the beefier side.

I appreciate Ricoh’s attention to ergonomics for adventure photographers; the textured surface and larger shutter button make one-handed use intuitive even with gloves. The Sony’s smooth, glassy finish looks sleek but can feel slippery. Plus, the touch-enabled 3.3” OLED screen (versus Ricoh’s smaller 2.7” LCD) adds to the intuitive interaction despite the more fragile impression.

Looking from above, both relinquish manual dials but offer modest button layouts. Ricoh has a dedicated playback button and more physical controls - good for those who prefer tactile feedback. Sony keeps a minimalist approach by relying heavily on touchscreen controls. Personal preference plays a big role here, but I generally find physical buttons more reliable under various conditions.

Sensor & Image Quality: A Battle of 14MP CCD vs 18MP BSI-CMOS

Image quality is where cool specs meet hard realities. Let’s break down the sensors first.

The Ricoh WG-20 sports a conventional 1/2.3” CCD sensor with 14 megapixels, producing images up to 4288x3216 pixels. CCD chips are famed for their color richness but tend to lag in noise performance, especially at higher ISOs.

In contrast, Sony opted for an 18-megapixel 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensor in the TX66. Backside-illuminated CMOS chips shine in low light, with more efficient light gather and less noise - advantages that become obvious during dusk or indoor shoots.

My own testing confirmed the Sony delivers sharper, more detailed JPEGs straight out of camera, maintaining cleaner shadows and better highlight control. The TX66’s max native ISO footing of 12,800 (though practically up to ISO 800–1600 is viable) outperforms the WG-20’s 6400 max ISO - where distortion and grain become a limiting factor.

That said, the Ricoh's CCD still produces vibrant colors in good light, with pleasing skin tonalities - useful if you mainly shoot outdoors and good-weather scenes. Both cameras use anti-aliasing filters, so fine detail resolution is smooth, avoiding moiré but at a slight softening cost.

Rear Screens and User Interface: OLED Brightness Meets Rugged Simplicity

The Ricoh’s fixed 2.7” TFT LCD delivers adequate viewing but can struggle under direct sunlight, a setback outdoors. Its 230k resolution feels dated compared to readable modern equivalents.

Sony’s TX66 steals the show here: its 3.3” XtraFine TruBlack OLED display boasts 1230k resolution with touch sensitivity. It dramatically improves framing, reviewing images, and engaging with menus quickly. The touch interface isn’t just a luxury; it speeds up settings adjustments considerably.

That said, the Ricoh’s lack of touchscreen may be a dealbreaker for some, but appreciated by shooters who prefer no distractions or accidental screen taps.

Photography Styles and Real-World Use

Now, onto how these cameras perform across photographic disciplines - which is what really influences buying decisions for enthusiasts and pros alike.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones And Bokeh

Neither camera boasts the shallow depth of field or large sensor needed for traditional creamy bokeh portraits. However, the Ricoh WG-20, with its fixed 28-140mm (equivalent) lens apertures from f/3.5 to f/5.5, allows you to isolate subjects somewhat at telephoto.

Sony’s TX66 lens slightly edges wider at 26-130mm f/3.5-4.8, and its sharper sensor yields crisper facial details. Plus, Sony adds face detection autofocus (both do), which reliably locks onto subjects’ eyes in favorable light.

But with neither supporting raw capture or advanced exposure modes like aperture priority, the creative control for portraits is limited. Skin tones on both lean toward average reproduction - Ricoh’s CCD slightly warmer, Sony’s CMOS offering a cleaner baseline to tweak in post.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Resolution

Landscape shooters emphasize dynamic range and resolution above all. Here, Sony’s higher pixel count and BSI-CMOS sensor give an advantage: I observed more intricate shadow detail retention and overall cleaner gradients in skies when pushing exposure.

Ricoh’s rugged outer appeal may tempt adventure photographers to take it into wild environments - but its dynamic range is narrower, and the sensor’s older CCD tech shows noisy shadows under challenging light.

Neither offers raw shooting, limiting post-processing muscle, but the JPEGs from Sony’s TX66 feel better suited for print or bigger screens.

Weather sealing benefits Ricoh hands down for landscape travel in rainy or cold environments - dustproof and shockproof build paired with freezeproof rating ensure rugged dependability.

Wildlife Photography: Autofocus Speed and Burst Rate

When chasing wildlife, autofocus speed and buffer depth matter. The Ricoh offers continuous autofocus and face detection but captures at a meager 1 fps continuous shooting speed. The Sony, meanwhile, speeds up burst shooting to 10 fps, although continuous autofocus during burst is not supported.

Autofocus systems in both rely on contrast detection with nine or more focus points (Ricoh lists 9 points), adequate for casual wildlife but insufficient for high-precision fast-tracking of erratic animal movement. Neither supports phase-detection, so hunting in deep forest or low light can be sluggish.

Lens focal ranges are similar, both providing moderate telephoto reach - beneficial for casual wildlife snaps but not for serious animal photography demanding longer lenses.

Sports Photography: Tracking and Low Light Challenges

Neither camera is designed for sports shooting pros. The Ricoh’s 1 fps burst and Sony’s continuous shooting without AF adjustments limit fast action capture. Autofocus tracking performance is basic; results can be hit or miss on fast-moving subjects.

Sony’s brighter lens aperture range at telephoto (.4.8 vs. 5.5 in Ricoh) paired with higher ISO ceiling helps in low-light action - think indoor sports or evening runs - but image noise increases at these settings.

In real use, these cameras are more “fun sports snapshots” than professional sports tools.

Street Photography: Portability Meets Discretion

For street photography aficionados, inconspicuousness and quick responsiveness reign.

Sony’s TX66, with a slim 13mm depth and quiet operation, excels at the low-profile game. The bright OLED touchscreen aids in rapidly changing scenes, and high-res sensor ensures sharp, detailed captures of fleeting moments.

Ricoh WG-20’s bulkier form, plus its more deliberate button pushing, makes candid shooting less stealthy. However, the waterproofing adds insurance if you get caught in rain, which urban explorers often do.

Macro Photography: Close Focus and Sharpness

Both cameras impress with 1cm macro focusing capability. The WG-20’s fixed lens allows close captures with stable framing thanks to the grip and digital image stabilization.

Sony’s lens and sensor bring sharper detail at close distances, but the lack of optical image stabilization (instead using digital stabilization in Ricoh and optical in Sony) means handholding macro shots can be shaky unless you have a steady hand.

Neither camera offers focus bracketing or stacking, which limits professional macro flexibility.

Night and Astro Photography: ISO and Exposure Modes

Neither camera is tailor-made for astrophotography, but Sony’s BSI-CMOS sensor and max shutter speed up to 1/4000 sec offer more creative control in low light.

Ricoh’s longest shutter speed clocks in around 1/1500 sec, which restricts long exposure capacity. Noise at high ISO is apparent in Ricoh’s CCD. Sony’s sensor handles up to ISO 12800, though realistically noise becomes visible around ISO 1600 upwards.

No manual exposure modes or bulb options exist on either, curbing advanced night shooting techniques.

Video Capabilities: HD Resolutions and Stabilization

Video is a bright spot for the Sony TX66, which comfortably records Full HD 1920x1080 at 60 fps, using efficient AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats. The 5x optical zoom lens and optical image stabilization (OSS) ensure smooth zooming and minimized shake.

Ricoh WG-20 lags behind with only 720p HD video at 30 fps and uses Motion JPEG, which is less storage friendly and lower quality. Digital stabilization isn’t as effective for video smoothness as Sony’s optical system.

Neither camera has microphone inputs or headphone jacks, so audio options are fixed and consumer-grade at best.

Travel Photography: Battery Life and Versatility

Travel photographers want a balance of size, battery endurance, ruggedness, and image quality.

Ricoh’s rugged body gives a huge leg up in durability on expeditions. It handles drops, water, freeze conditions, and dust reasonably well - essential for adventure travel. Battery life is about 260 shots per charge, slightly better than Sony’s 250.

Sony’s ultracompact form and superior image quality make it a versatile travel companion for city and landscape shoots but requires extra care in harsh conditions.

Professional Workflow Integration

Both cameras lack raw file support - a substantial handicap for professionals demanding post-processing flexibility. They shoot only JPEGs, and neither supports tethered shooting.

Connectivity is basic: USB 2.0 and HDMI (mini/micro versions unspecified). No Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS, hampering ease of image transfer and metadata tagging - pretty much standard in professional-ready cameras, even in recent compacts.

If your workflow depends on high-res raw capture, extensive lens interchangeability, or advanced manual control, neither of these cameras fills that bill.

Technical Build and Reliability

Ricoh WG-20’s standout feature is environmental sealing: it is waterproof to depths suitable for snorkeling (approx. 10 meters), shockproof against 1.5 m falls, freezeproof to -10°C, and dust resistant. This all-weather confidence is a big selling point for outdoor enthusiasts.

Sony TX66 lacks ruggedization but shines in build quality with premium materials and a durable glass front. It's splash resistant at best, so treat it cautiously near water or extreme environments.

Regarding shutter speeds, Ricoh covers 4 to 1/1500 sec - okay for daylight but limiting for action or bright scenes. Sony extends from 30 to 1/4000 sec, giving more creative exposure options. Neither supports silent electronic shutter, important to note for discreet shoots.

Autofocus systems are contrast-detection only, with face detection enabled on both. Sony boasts touch autofocus, facilitating faster subject acquisition. The Ricoh’s nine AF points provide straightforward but less versatile AF area coverage.

Battery types differ (Ricoh D-LI92 vs Sony NP-BN), and neither impresses with world-class endurance but suffice for casual outings.

Sony offers a wider storage compatibility with Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo and microSD cards, versus Ricoh’s SD/SDHC/SDXC - more aligned with industry standard (ideal for backup and card availability).

Value and Pricing

At launch, the Ricoh WG-20 retailed around $370, and the Sony TX66 hovered near $350. Close enough that each buyer’s priorities should guide their choice.

Ricoh commands its premium mainly for ruggedness and dependable outdoor performance. Sony offers better image quality, sharper optics, and a more modern interface at a slightly lower weight and size.

Let’s look at the numbers holistically:

In practice sessions, Sony leads in image quality and video, Ricoh dominates environmental durability.

And genre-specific scoring:

Sony’s strengths lie in street, travel, and general-purpose photography; Ricoh reigns with landscape/adventure and waterproof macro.

Sample Gallery: Seeing Is Believing

Before we close, here are side-by-side sample images snapped in similar conditions for color, sharpness, and autofocus reliability illustrations.

Ricoh WG 20 front Ricoh WG 20 screen back Sony TX66 front Sony TX66 screen back

It's clear Sony's sharper sensor and lens produce finer detail and better color fidelity, especially in subtle gradations. Ricoh’s images hold charm in rugged outdoor light and maintain consistent exposure, though softer and noisier at higher ISO.

Who Should Buy Which?

Buy the Ricoh WG-20 if:

• You’re an outdoor adventurer needing a camera that survives water, shocks, dust, and freezing temps.
• Simplicity and durability outweigh cutting-edge image quality.
• You want high macro capability and rugged design in a compact.
• Video is a secondary consideration.

Buy the Sony TX66 if:

• You want bang-for-buck image quality in an ultracompact, stylish package.
• Travel, street, and casual portraits are your shooting arenas.
• You appreciate a great touchscreen, superior video specs, and more creative controls.
• You value lightweight portability over rugged toughness.

Final Thoughts: Which Compact Wins in 2024?

Though now somewhat dated, these cameras remind us that the compact camera market is a story of trade-offs and niche appeals, often outside smartphone territory.

The Ricoh WG-20 is a specialized waterproof compact that excels where smartphones fail - harsh conditions and underwater. Sony’s Cyber-shot TX66 is a quiet, capable travel companion with superior imaging performance for everyday shooting.

Given the declines in dedicated camera sales due to smartphones, cameras like these still carve out relevance by specializing: one in toughness, the other in compact sophistication.

For most users today seeking general-purpose compacts, I’d recommend looking for newer models that build on these foundations with raw support, better connectivity, and hybrid autofocus. But if you must pick between these two odd couples from the early 2010s, this breakdown should help you choose wisely based on your photographic lifestyle.

This comparison reflects countless hours of shooting, pixel-peeping, and field-testing two worthy rivals from Ricoh and Sony. If you want more real-world feedback on lightweight cameras, or rugged shooters for outdoor photography, keep checking in - the market continually evolves, but these lessons remain timeless.

Happy shooting!