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Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony A290

Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
34
Overall
38
Ricoh WG-30 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Ricoh WG-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 192g - 123 x 62 x 30mm
  • Announced October 2014
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Released June 2010
  • Earlier Model is Sony A230
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Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony A290 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony A290, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Ricoh and Sony. The sensor resolution of the WG-30 (16MP) and the A290 (14MP) is very similar but the WG-30 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) posses different sensor sizes.

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The WG-30 was launched 4 years later than the A290 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Ricoh WG-30 being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving into a full comparison, here is a short highlight of how the WG-30 grades vs the A290 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-30 over the Sony A290

 WG-30 A290 
ReleasedOctober 2014June 2010More recent by 53 months

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Ricoh WG-30

 A290 WG-30 
Manually focus More accurate focusing

Common features in the Ricoh WG-30 and Sony A290

 WG-30 A290 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Ricoh WG-30 comes with physical dimensions of 123mm x 62mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs) and the Sony A290 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Look at the Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony A290 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the WG-30 versus the A290.

Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the WG-30 and A290 is 91 and 66 respectively.

Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to visualize the gap between sensor measurements merely by going over specs. The graphic below will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the WG-30 and A290.

All in all, both of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The WG-30 due to its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Ricoh WG-30 will offer extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos more aggressively. The more recent WG-30 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh WG-30 Portrait photography features
Sony A290 Portrait photography features
36
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
no manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
65
you can focus manually
good megapixels (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Ricoh WG-30 Street photography factors
Sony A290 Street photography factors
62
image stabilization (Digital)
environment proofing
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Ricoh WG-30
Sports photography with Sony A290
45
image stabilization (Digital)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
environment proofing
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
low frames per second (3.0 fps)
not so great battery power (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh WG-30 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A290 as a Travel photography camera
71
environment proofing
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
53
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery power (290 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh WG-30 Landscape photography info
Sony A290 Landscape photography info
43
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Digital)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
58
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inches)
doesn't have liveview
not so great battery power (290 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Ricoh WG-30
Vlogging with Sony A290
33
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Digital)
has face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone socket
9
can't record video
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Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh WG-30 and Sony A290
 Ricoh WG-30Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Name Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh WG-30 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Type Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2014-10-09 2010-06-09
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.5 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.90 m (Auto ISO) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 192 gr (0.42 pounds) 549 gr (1.21 pounds)
Physical dimensions 123 x 62 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 615
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 290 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots One One
Retail cost $428 $600