Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony NEX-3
91 Imaging
40 Features
34 Overall
37


89 Imaging
54 Features
55 Overall
54
Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced October 2014
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
- Introduced June 2010
- Successor is Sony NEX-C3

Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview
In this article, we will be comparing the Ricoh WG-30 and Sony NEX-3, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Ricoh and Sony. The sensor resolution of the WG-30 (16MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is pretty comparable but the WG-30 (1/2.3") and NEX-3 (APS-C) possess different sensor size.

The WG-30 was released 4 years after the NEX-3 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Ricoh WG-30 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the WG-30 grades against the NEX-3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony NEX-3 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Ricoh WG-30 & Sony Alpha NEX-3. The complete galleries are provided at Ricoh WG-30 Gallery & Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-30 over the Sony NEX-3
WG-30 | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | October 2014 | ![]() | June 2010 | Newer by 53 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Ricoh WG-30
NEX-3 | WG-30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Ricoh WG-30 and Sony NEX-3
WG-30 | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | No Touch friendly screen |
Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to travel with your camera, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Ricoh WG-30 has external measurements of 123mm x 62mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs) and the Sony NEX-3 has dimensions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Check the Ricoh WG-30 and Sony NEX-3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select at the time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the WG-30 and the NEX-3.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the WG-30 and NEX-3 is 91 and 89 respectively.

Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Normally, its difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by going through specs. The pic below will give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-30 and NEX-3.
All in all, both the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The WG-30 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Ricoh WG-30 will show greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The younger WG-30 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
Ricoh WG-30 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Ricoh | Sony |
Model type | Ricoh WG-30 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
Category | Waterproof | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2014-10-09 | 2010-06-07 |
Body design | Compact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4592 x 3056 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 125 | 200 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | Sony E |
Lens zoom range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | - |
Max aperture | f/3.5-5.5 | - |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | - |
Number of lenses | - | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display technology | - | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0fps | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.90 m (Auto ISO) | 12.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | - | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | H.264 | MPEG-4 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 192g (0.42 lb) | 297g (0.65 lb) |
Dimensions | 123 x 62 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 68 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.1 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.0 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 830 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 pictures | 330 pictures |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI92 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $428 | $0 |