Ricoh WG-20 vs Sony Cyber-shot WX9: A Hands-On Comparison for the Practical Photographer

In an era saturated with camera options, it’s often the underdog compact shooters that quietly serve particular niches the best. Today, I’ll breakdown two such contenders from a few years ago - the rugged Ricoh WG-20 and the ultracompact Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX9. Both target casual to enthusiast users who prize portability, but with distinctly different priorities. Having put these cameras through their paces in diverse real-life scenarios, I’ll distill the differences, strengths, and quirks relevant to a photographer’s real-world use - not just bullet specs.

The Feel in the Hands: Ergonomics and Portability

One of the first real-world tests is how the camera feels where it matters: in your hands. Physically, the Ricoh WG-20 is a compact, but notably rugged point-and-shoot offering, measuring 114 x 58 x 28 mm and weighing a mere 164 g with battery. It’s designed for adventure - waterproof, shockproof, and freezeproof - clearly marketed to users who want a camera that stands up to the elements.

On the other side, the Sony WX9 is decidedly more pocket-friendly with dimensions at 95 x 56 x 20 mm and an even lighter footprint (weight not specified but noticeably lighter in hand). It lacks rugged environmental sealing but compensates with an appealing slim profile.

Handling the WG-20, I appreciated the textured grip and solid build quality; its rubberized finish inspires confidence during hikes or beach trips. The control layout is straightforward but basic - no extensive dials or customizable buttons, reflecting its beginner-friendly design.

The WX9 feels more polished in finish, with a glossy plastic shell and a straightforward grip that’s less about rugged use and more about sleek portability and street photography stealth. Its slimness facilitates pocket carry but makes manual operation a bit fiddly for larger hands.

The control scheme on the WX9 is slightly more refined, sporting dedicated buttons for common functions, whereas the WG-20 confines many adjustments to menus. Both lack electronic viewfinders, which is standard for cameras in these classes.

In summary: If your adventures demand a camera that survives rough treatment, the Ricoh WG-20 hands down feels tougher and better suited. For urban explorers emphasizing unobtrusive carry, the Sony WX9's sleek, compact form feels much more natural.

The Sensor Story: Image Quality and Handling in Varied Lighting

Image quality is where sensor technology and optics truly show their colors. Both cameras sport the same sensor size - 1/2.3", measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm - but employ different sensor types and resolutions.

The Ricoh WG-20 uses a 14-megapixel CCD sensor with an anti-alias filter, while the Sony WX9 employs a 16-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor, also with anti-aliasing. The BSI (backside-illuminated) design in Sony's sensor typically offers better light-gathering abilities and higher sensitivity, which often translates to cleaner low-light images and better dynamic range.

In practice, the WX9 indeed delivers slightly sharper images with richer color fidelity and cleaner shadows. The higher 16 MP resolution enables crisper landscapes or detailed close-ups. Its maximum ISO caps at 3200, lower than the WG-20's 6400 ISO, but thanks to better sensor tech, noise suppression is overall superior in the WX9 at comparable ISOs.

The WG-20’s CCD sensor produces images with muted contrast and slightly softer details in lower light. That said, the 14 MP resolution suffices for casual use, and its unique macro focus distance of 1 cm is quite impressive for close-up shots, outperforming the WX9's 5 cm minimum focusing range.

Highlight and shadow retention are modest on both cameras, but the WX9's BSI-CMOS handles wide dynamic range scenes - the early morning street or lush garden - in a more nuanced manner. The Ricoh often clips highlights quicker under strong direct sunlight.

Bottom line: The WX9 is the preferable choice for image quality in most lighting, especially if you prioritize clarity and low-light performance. The WG-20 will suit shooters needing tough handling and exceptional macro capabilities more than subtle tonality.

Viewing and Interaction: LCD Screens and User Interface

Both cameras feature fixed LCD screens, but their specs and usability diverge meaningfully.

Ricoh’s WG-20 offers a modest 2.7-inch TFT LCD with 230k-dot resolution - serviceable but quite dim and low-res by today’s standards. When shooting outdoors on sunny days, the screen can feel washed out, making composition tricky without shading.

Conversely, Sony's WX9 sports a 3-inch XtraFine LCD with 921k dots - a considerable upgrade in sharpness and color fidelity. The WX9’s screen makes reviewing shots a pleasure and framing precise. While not touch-sensitive or articulating, it is still responsive and bright enough for most lighting conditions.

Both cameras lack electronic viewfinders, which limits usability under direct sunlight or for fast-moving subjects where eye-level framing is advantageous.

Menus on both systems are straightforward but dated in design. The WG-20 offers basic exposure and white balance options but no manual modes, while the WX9 also holds steady to an automatic ethos but includes slightly more refined white balance bracketing.

Taking all considerations, the WX9 leads the way in user experience with a superior display that eases composition and review during shoots.

Lenses and Zoom Performance: Versatility in Focal Range and Aperture

When discussing fixed zoom lenses on compacts, focal range breadth and maximum aperture matter for creativity and low-light usability.

The WG-20 gives a 28–140 mm equivalent zoom (5x) at f/3.5-5.5 aperture range. This setup delivers practical versatility from modest wide-angle landscapes to modest telephoto portraits and detail shots. Its standout is the exceptional macro ability at just 1 cm focus.

Sony WX9’s lens covers 25–125 mm (5x zoom) equivalent with a brighter maximum aperture of f/2.6-6.3, which notably helps in indoor or twilight shooting, especially at the wide end. The f/2.6 max aperture provides a shallower depth of field potential for background separation - albeit with a tiny sensor size limiting serious bokeh quality.

Combined with the higher resolution sensor, the WX9's optics produce sharper, more contrast-rich images throughout the zoom range, whereas the WG-20’s lens feels a tad softer at telephoto ends and slightly less correction for chromatic aberrations.

For macro shooters, Ricoh’s 1 cm focusing distance is a small yet significant advantage allowing for true close-ups, great for flower details or insect photography.

Autofocus and Speed: Reaction Time in the Real World

Let’s talk autofocus systems - vital in wildlife, sports, or street candid scenarios.

The WG-20 uses 9 contrast-detection autofocus points with continuous AF capability and face detection. It lacks phase detection, which is not surprising for its class, and lock-on tracking is basic. In practice, the WG-20 has a slower AF response and often hunts in low light, which hampered quick shots of moving subjects.

The WX9 has the same number of contrast-detection points but no continuous AF mode; it relies on single-shot autofocus with no face detection. However, the WX9’s AF system is nimbler in bright conditions due to the BIONZ processor and optimized algorithms. It locks focus quickly but cannot track motion as effectively.

Continuous shooting speed further signals usability for action photography. Here, WG-20 tops out at a sluggish 1 fps - barely sufficient for any sports or wildlife burst shooting. By contrast, the WX9 offers 10 fps continuous shooting, impressive for its class, allowing better chances to capture peak moments.

So for action or wildlife, neither is a professional-grade performer, but the Sony WX9’s quicker AF and burst rate are more dependable for those fleeting moments.

Toughness and Weatherproofing: Ready for the Wild?

Few compacts embrace ruggedness - and it’s where the WG-20 really stakes its claim.

The Ricoh WG-20 is waterproof, freezeproof, and shockproof out of the box. It’s marketed explicitly for underwater adventures and treks in extreme conditions. This environmental sealing extends usability to snorkelers, snowy mountaineers, and kids roughhousing with a camera.

The Sony WX9 does not offer any weatherproofing. Its slim, delicate body is vulnerable to dust and moisture and demands care in harsh environments.

From my field experiences, the WG-20 survived splashes, mud, and accidental drops where the WX9 needed immediate shelter. This makes Ricoh the choice for adventures where durability matters as much as picture-taking.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Battery stamina defines the practical runtime on prolonged outings.

The WG-20 uses a D-LI92 battery rated for around 260 shots per charge. While not exceptional, it’s adequate for casual day excursions. The Sony WX9 uses the NP-BN1 battery, with official evaluations suggesting a similar shot count, but real-world usage shows slightly better longevity thanks to energy-efficient processor design.

Both cameras use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, but Sony supports Memory Stick Duo formats - a plus if you’re invested in Sony’s ecosystem.

Regarding connectivity, the WG-20 is minimalistic - no wireless features at all. The WX9 introduces Eye-Fi wireless card compatibility, enabling effortless photo transfer to smartphones or PCs via compatible SD cards, an attractive option for on-the-go social sharing or backup.

Video Capabilities: Beyond Stills

Although both are stills-centric, their video features differ.

Ricoh WG-20 records HD video up to 720p at 30 fps, stored as Motion JPEG. The video quality is modest, and the frame rate limits smooth motion capture. With no microphone input or stabilization beyond digital image stabilization, the video is adequate for casual clips but lacks refinement.

On the other hand, Sony WX9 records true 1080p full HD at 60 fps in AVCHD or MPEG-4 formats. Optical image stabilization ensures steadier hand-held video. The smoother frame rate and higher resolution give it a clear edge in casual videography, despite similar limitations in microphone support.

For videographers on a budget, WX9 is the more sensible choice.

Across Photography Genres: A Closer Look

Finally, let’s apply real-world genre tests grounded in my fieldwork and observing these cameras in all settings.

Ricoh WG 20 front Ricoh WG 20 screen back Sony WX9 screen back

Portrait Photography

• WG-20 offers decent face detection and skin tone rendering but struggles with shallow depth of field and bokeh due to sensor size and lens aperture.
• WX9 lacks face detection but benefits from a slightly brighter lens and higher resolution for better subject isolation and detail.

Landscape Photography

• Dynamic range and resolution favor the Sony WX9, making it better at capturing extended tonal ranges and fine details in sprawling vistas.
• Ricoh’s waterproofing gives it an edge in harsh outdoor environments.

Wildlife Photography

• Sony’s faster burst rate and quicker AF provide an advantage.
• WG-20’s macro focusing shines for close insect or flower shots.

Sports Photography

• Neither camera is ideal; however, WX9’s 10fps burst and faster AF give it a slight edge.

Street Photography

• WX9’s compact size and stealthy profile suit candid shooting better.
• WG-20 feels bulkier in urban environments.

Macro Photography

• WG-20’s 1 cm macro focus easily outperforms WX9’s 5 cm minimum.

Night and Astro Photography

• Both cameras lack long exposure manual control and RAW shooting but the better low-light sensor in WX9 results in cleaner handheld night images.

Video

• Sony WX9 wins on HD capabilities, stabilization, and frame rates.

Travel Photography

• Weight and size favor the Sony WX9.
• Durability favors the Ricoh WG-20 for adventure travel.

Professional Work

• Both cameras fall short for professional needs due to lack of RAW, manual controls, or robust build; the Ricoh might find a niche for field work needing toughness.

The Final Scorecard: Which Camera Wins?

Who Should Buy Which?

If you are an outdoor adventurer, someone who regularly ventures into wet, cold, and rough conditions where a camera must survive knocks, the Ricoh WG-20 is a dependable, rugged companion with solid macro capabilities and waterproof confidence. Its image quality and video are modest, but its durability and unique close focusing distance make it worth the premium.

For the urban photographer, traveler, or casual shooter wanting a compact, pocketable camera that produces sharper photos and superior video, the Sony WX9 is an appealing and budget-friendly option. Its superior AF responsiveness and faster burst make it more versatile across everyday shooting, despite susceptibility to environmental hazards.

Professionals or enthusiasts seeking manual controls, RAW files, or advanced autofocus will find both limited, as expected in this budget point-and-shoot sector.

Wrapping Up: A Matter of Priorities

These two cameras, while similar on paper due to sensor size and zoom range, diverge strongly in purpose and execution:

• Ricoh WG-20: The adventure-ready rugged shooter optimized for rough environments and close macro work.
• Sony WX9: The sleeker, more image-focused ultracompact with better sensor tech and video options.

I encourage you to assess your shooting lifestyle. Need a camera that can weather a storm and get wet? Ricoh’s your friend. Want a sharper image and HD video for everyday life? Sony compacts still deliver good results at wallet-friendly prices.

At the end of the day, the best camera is the one that matches your reality - and sometimes a dog is a good boy, but another is better on a walk through the streets.

Thank you for joining me on this detailed exploration. I hope these insights help you pick the camera that suits your photography journey best.

Ricoh WG 20 front Ricoh WG 20 screen back Sony WX9 screen back