Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony H55

Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55: An Expert Comparative Deep Dive on Compact Toughness and Zoom Versatility

Selecting a compact camera today means balancing convenience, image quality, and specialized features. Two oft-overlooked entries from the early-to-mid 2010s - the Ricoh WG-30 rugged waterproof and Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-H55 superzoom - offer interesting contrasts for photographers whose priorities lean either toward durability or optical reach. As someone who has tested thousands of cameras in the field, I find comparing their capabilities painfully practical: what do these cameras really offer, and who should consider which?

Let’s dissect these contenders in detail, spanning build and handling, sensor and image quality, autofocus, shooting modes, and overall value, topped off by real-world application insights across photography genres.

Size, Ergonomics & Build: Rugged Utility Meets Compact Zoom Elegance

At first glance, both cameras are compact - with the Sony H55 notably slimmer but the Ricoh WG-30 packing a robust tactical feel.

The Ricoh WG-30’s 123 x 62 x 30 mm frame and 192 g weight feel reassuringly chunky. It wears its toughness on its sleeve, being waterproof to 10 meters, freezeproof to -10°C, shockproof against 1.5m drops, and crushproof up to 100 kgf. This is a camera built for fieldwork: beach shots, mountain hikes, or any soggy, dusty adventure with no fuss about a rain cover.

Conversely, the Sony H55 is smaller (103 x 58 x 29 mm), marginally heavier at 200 g, and lacks any official weather-sealing. Its finish and design prioritize pocketability and a sleek grip, primarily catering to travelers favoring optical versatility rather than ruggedness.

Looking at the top control layout, both cameras keep it simple:

The WG-30 offers a straightforward control cluster favoring ease of use in challenging conditions, albeit lacking dedicated dials or manual controls. The H55 leans on a traditional simple setup with a decent mode dial and zoom toggle, making it suitable for quick focal length adjustments.

Bottom Line: Want a durable all-terrain camera? WG-30 is your rugged workhorse. Prefer a slim zoom companion for everyday snapshots? H55 excels in portability.

Sensors and Image Quality: CMOS vs CCD - A Tale of Technology and Practical Impact

At the heart of any camera lies its sensor, influencing resolution, dynamic range, noise performance, and color reproduction. Both the Ricoh WG-30 and Sony H55 use a 1/2.3-inch sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm, typical for compacts, but differ in technology - a CMOS for the WG-30 and a CCD for the H55.

The WG-30’s 16-megapixel CMOS sensor offers higher resolution than the H55’s 14 megapixels. How does that play out? CMOS sensors generally provide better high ISO performance and faster readout speeds, benefiting low light shooting and burst rates. Conversely, the CCD in the H55, introduced earlier, is known historically for slightly better color accuracy and less electronic noise at base ISOs, but it suffers in low light and speed.

Dynamic range figures aren't formally tested for these models, but real-world use confirms the WG-30's extended ISO range (125–6400) versus the H55’s 80–3200 translates to more flexibility in dim conditions and exposure latitude. Unfortunately, neither shoots RAW, limiting post-processing potential.

One nitpick: both cameras retain an anti-aliasing filter that slightly softens detail to minimize moiré - a trade-off for compact sensor designs.

Image Sharpness & Noise: The WG-30’s CMOS sensor produces images with better clarity in moderate lighting, with less chroma noise creeping in at ISO 800 and above. The H55 tends to handle base ISO images well but quickly falters above ISO 400, an issue in indoor or evening environments.

Color and Skin Tones: The H55’s CCD yields slightly truer skin tones out of the box, especially under tungsten lighting, while the WG-30’s CMOS shows a cooler bias but compensates with customizable white balance bracketing.

Display and Interface: Clear Feedback or Compromised Vision?

Despite the technological gap between the shooters, their LCDs are comparable: fixed, non-touch, low resolution.

• Ricoh WG-30: 2.7” screen with 230k dots
• Sony H55: 3” screen with 230k dots

The slight size advantage on the Sony is noticeable, affording a wider framing ease, but the low resolution and lack of touch reduce operator feedback precision in both units. Neither have electronic viewfinders, eliminating the option for eye-level shooting in bright sunlight - something I found undermined rapid composition in outdoor shoots.

User interface-wise, the WG-30’s menu and control responsivity felt sluggish in my testing - presumably a side effect of older processing hardware or firmware optimization. The Sony H55, empowered by the Bionz processor, showed snappier response times and a more polished menu hierarchy.

Since neither camera provides manual exposure control or advanced shooting modes, the menu’s simplicity is arguably sufficient for casual users.

Lens and Zoom: Versatility Meets Field Durability

Broad zoom ranges often dictate a compact’s appeal.

• Ricoh WG-30: 28–140 mm (5× zoom), F3.5–5.5
• Sony H55: 25–250 mm (10× zoom), F3.5–5.5

The H55 wins on reach handily, doubling the maximum telephoto focal length. This makes it a strong option for casual wildlife or street photographers needing distance flexibility without carrying extra glass.

However, from my lab and field tests, the Ricoh’s 5× zoom offers superior sharpness and less chromatic aberration, with a macro focusing distance down to 1 cm allowing close-up shooting with good detail. The H55’s minimum focus at 5 cm is less forgiving but adequate for typical snapshots.

Image stabilization mechanisms differ sharply:

• WG-30: Digital stabilization
• H55: Optical SteadyShot

Optical IS is the gold standard for reducing blur from hand shake, especially at longer focal lengths. Digital stabilization on the WG-30 is less effective and can lead to slight image degradation in low light, so the H55 holds an edge for telephoto or video use in dim environments.

Autofocus System: Speed and Accuracy Under Pressure

Both cameras use contrast-detection autofocus with nine focus points centered mostly around the frame.

The WG-30 adds face detection and tracking in live view, enhancing subject acquisition in people photography. The H55 omits face detection, which surprised me given Sony’s reputation, limiting point-and-shoot ease on portraits.

Continuous autofocus only functions on the WG-30, albeit modestly, whereas the H55 sticks to single AF. As a result, the WG-30 fares better for moving subjects in daylight, though neither is optimized for fast action.

In comparison, continuous tracking and eye AF - features common in modern cameras - are absent here; understandable given these are budget compacts from earlier generations.

Burst Rate and Shutter: Playing the Waiting Game vs Snapping Rapidly

In sports or wildlife photography, frame rate is critical.

• WG-30 tops out at a pedestrian 1 fps continuous shooting
• H55 offers up to 10 fps burst

The contrast is stark. If your photographic pursuits demand capturing fast sequences - a kid at play, a bird in flight - the Sony H55’s rapid burst clobbers the WG-30.

Shutter speed range also varies:

• WG-30: 4 to 1/4000 sec (good for freezing motion and some exposure control)
• H55: 30 to 1/1600 sec limits both long exposures and super fast action freezing.

Neither supports aperture or shutter priority modes, so exposure flexibility relies mostly on auto modes and ambient conditions.

Video Capabilities: Modest at Best, But Enough for Occasional Use

Video features feel dated on both.

• WG-30 shoots Full HD 1080p at 30fps (H.264)
• H55 caps at 720p 30fps (MPEG-4)

Neither supports manual video controls, external microphones, or advanced stabilization. The WG-30’s digital image stabilization might help slightly, but at a quality cost.

For casual videographers, the WG-30 delivers sharper footage, though the audio quality on both is average at best. No HDMI output on the H55 limits external monitoring options.

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Durability and Environmental Sealing: Taking the WG-30 Into the Wild

Here the WG-30 significantly diverges, boasting environmental sealing including waterproof (up to 10 m), shockproof, crushproof, and freezeproof capabilities. Such ruggedness facilitates shooting in wet or extreme conditions without extra housing.

The Sony H55, compact but delicate, lacks this protection - rendering it unsuitable for adventure or outdoor photography needing robustness.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Can the Fun Last?

Ricoh rates the WG-30 at approximately 300 shots per charge using its proprietary D-LI92 battery. In my experience, this figure holds up under typical usage; digital-only IS helps conserve power.

The Sony H55, powered by NP-BG1, has no official battery life quoted here but generally lasts about 220-250 shots - a typical figure for similar compacts of its era.

Memory formats differ:

• WG-30 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC
• H55 supports SD/SDHC and Memory Stick Duo variants - less common today and slightly limiting.

Connectivity: No Fancy Bells and Whistles Here

Both cameras offer USB 2.0 for data transfer; Japanese compact norms of the time exclude Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. The Ricoh does have an HDMI port; the Sony does not, limiting direct HD display output.

In-the-Field Use Across Photography Genres:

Packing all these into practical scenarios, here’s what I found:

Portrait Photography

Neither camera supports RAW, advanced autofocus tracking, or high-res sensors needed for professional studio quality portraits.

• WG-30’s face detection helps nail focus on eyes
• H55 renders skin tones nicely under neutral light but lacks face AF

Neither produces the creamy bokeh associated with large aperture lenses; the WG’s 28mm wide aperture of f/3.5 is okay but no more.

Ideal for casual smiling snaps, not professional headshots.

Landscape Photography

Both have typical compact sensor limitations: limited dynamic range and moderate resolution.

• WG-30’s higher megapixels (16MP) and face better noise control
• WG-30’s weather sealing allows shooting in adverse outdoor conditions, rain, dust, and cold - a boon for landscape hikers
• H55’s longer zoom can isolate distant features

Neither lacks weather sealing or sensor size for truly expansive dynamic range, but the WG-30’s ruggedness is a decisive edge outdoors.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Burst rate and AF lag limit action images:

• Sony H55 wins with 10 fps burst and longer zoom, better for distant, unpredictable subjects
• WG-30’s 1 fps and slower AF restrict rapid capture but holds steady for casual birdwatchers or slow subjects

Neither replaces specialized DSLR/mirrorless gear for wildlife pro shooting but suffice for hobbyists.

Street Photography

Portability and discreetness matter here.

• H55’s slim form factor fits pockets easier
• WG-30, while compact, appears bulkier and rugged, potentially drawing attention

Low light: WG-30’s higher ISO ceiling helps dim urban settings.

Macro Photography

WG-30 excels with a 1cm macro focus limit and image stabilization (digital but useful).

H55 at 5cm is less forgiving.

For botanical or texture detail, WG-30 is more accommodating.

Night & Astro Photography

High ISO noise controls and longer shutter speeds matter.

• WG-30 allows shutter speed to 4 seconds, plus high ISO 6400, better for starry shots
• H55 caps at 30-second shutter but ISO maxes at 3200

Neither can shoot RAW, crucial for astro post-processing - both strictly amateur.

Video Use

WG-30’s Full HD 1080p at 30 fps surpasses H55’s 720p but limited stabilization and no mic input dampen enthusiasm.

Final Verdict & Recommendations: Matching Cameras to Photographers

This comparison yields complementary strengths:

If you want a weatherproof, rugged compact that can brave the elements and get close to subjects for macro and portrait use, the Ricoh WG-30 is your straightforward companion. It’s not fast, flashy, or full of features, but its durability and decent image quality give real peace of mind outdoors.

If your priority is long zoom reach coupled with quicker burst shooting for spontaneous action or travel photos, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55 remains a compelling budget-friendly option despite its 2010-era limitations - just keep it dry.

Neither camera pushes image quality boundaries given their sensor sizes, without RAW support or manual controls, but both remain honest workhorses for entry-level photographers wanting quick, uncomplicated frames with characteristic strengths.

Sample Images: Side-by-Side Comparison Under Varied Conditions

Ricoh WG 30 front Ricoh WG 30 screen back Sony H55 front Sony H55 screen back

From these, you’ll see the WG-30’s color rendering is cooler but cleaner at higher ISO; the H55 saturates colors a bit more but struggles with noise above ISO 400.

Throughout testing, both cameras reminded me that compact photography is about compromises: size vs. reach, durability vs. speed, simplicity vs. customization. Choosing between them boils down to lifestyle and shooting environment - whether you value a camera that can survive a dunk or one that lets you zoom in close with faster shutter speeds.

If you’re in the market for either, consider these trade-offs carefully. And keep in mind, modern alternatives with better sensors, Wi-Fi, touchscreens, and RAW support have largely eclipsed these models - but for niche tasks on a budget, they remain worthy retrospective contenders.

I hope this detailed hands-on comparison equips you with the insights needed to make the best choice between the Ricoh WG-30 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55 for your photographic adventures. Happy shooting!