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Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony W690

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
34
Overall
37
Ricoh WG-30 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony W690 Key Specs

Ricoh WG-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 192g - 123 x 62 x 30mm
  • Revealed October 2014
Sony W690
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 56 x 22mm
  • Released February 2012
Photography Glossary

Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony W690 Overview

In this write-up, we are analyzing the Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony W690, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Ricoh and Sony. The image resolution of the WG-30 (16MP) and the W690 (16MP) is fairly well matched and they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The WG-30 was announced 2 years later than the W690 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick overview of how the WG-30 grades versus the W690 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-30 over the Sony W690

 WG-30 W690 
ReleasedOctober 2014February 2012Fresher by 32 months

Reasons to pick Sony W690 over the Ricoh WG-30

 W690 WG-30 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Ricoh WG-30 and Sony W690

 WG-30 W690 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony W690 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Ricoh WG-30 enjoys 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 W690 has dimensions of 94mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Look at the Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony W690 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the WG-30 vs the W690.

Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony W690 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the WG-30 and W690 is 91 and 95 respectively.

Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony W690 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony W690 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizing just by reading through technical specs. The photograph here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the WG-30 and W690.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact MP and you should expect similar quality of images but you should really take the release date of the products into consideration. The younger WG-30 will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony W690 sensor size comparison

Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony W690 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony W690 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh WG-30 Portrait photography advice
Sony W690 Portrait photography advice
35
MP count good (16MP)
offers face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
34
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
comes with face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Ricoh WG-30 Street photography features
Sony W690 Street photography features
61
built in image stabilization (Digital)
environment proofing
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh WG-30 Sports photography info
Sony W690 Sports photography info
45
built in image stabilization (Digital)
MP count good (16MP)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh WG-30 Travel photography details
Sony W690 Travel photography details
71
environment proofing
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
68
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
no Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh WG-30 Landscape photography factors
Sony W690 Landscape photography factors
43
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Digital)
MP count good (16MP)
environment proofing
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
43
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Ricoh WG-30
Vlogging with Sony W690
33
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Digital)
offers face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone support
31
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone socket
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Ricoh WG-30 vs Sony W690 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh WG-30 and Sony W690
 Ricoh WG-30Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
General Information
Brand Name Ricoh Sony
Model Ricoh WG-30 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2014-10-09 2012-02-28
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - ClearPhoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.90 m (Auto ISO) 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 192 gr (0.42 pounds) 142 gr (0.31 pounds)
Dimensions 123 x 62 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") 94 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 300 shots 220 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 NP-BN
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $428 $297