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Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony A500

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
34
Overall
37
Ricoh WG-30W front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony A500 Key Specs

Ricoh WG-30W
(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
  • 194g - 123 x 62 x 30mm
  • Revealed October 2014
Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Introduced August 2009
  • Replacement is Sony A560
Photography Glossary

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony A500 Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Ricoh WG-30W versus Sony A500, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Ricoh and Sony. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the WG-30W (16MP) and A500 (12MP) and the WG-30W (1/2.3") and A500 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The WG-30W was announced 5 years later than the A500 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Ricoh WG-30W being a Compact camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go right into a full comparison, here is a simple summation of how the WG-30W scores versus the A500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-30W over the Sony A500

 WG-30W A500 
IntroducedOctober 2014August 2009Fresher by 63 months

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Ricoh WG-30W

 A500 WG-30W 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Ricoh WG-30W and Sony A500

 WG-30W A500 
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Ricoh WG-30W has got physical dimensions of 123mm x 62mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 194 grams (0.43 lbs) and the Sony A500 has measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

Check out the Ricoh WG-30W versus Sony A500 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using during that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the WG-30W compared to the A500.

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony A500 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the WG-30W and A500 is 91 and 63 respectively.

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizing only by viewing specs. The visual here will give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the WG-30W and A500.

All in all, both the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The WG-30W having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Ricoh WG-30W will render extra detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more modern WG-30W will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh WG-30W Portrait photography details
Sony A500 Portrait photography details
35
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
features face detection autofocus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
63
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Ricoh WG-30W
Street photography with Sony A500
61
has image stabilization (Digital)
weather proofing
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
74
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh WG-30W as a Sports photography camera
Sony A500 as a Sports photography camera
45
has image stabilization (Digital)
megapixel count good (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
51
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
slow fps (5.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (520 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh WG-30W Travel photography highlights
Sony A500 Travel photography highlights
71
weather proofing
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
43
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (520 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Ricoh WG-30W
Landscape photography with Sony A500
43
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7")
lack of manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
60
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
not so great battery life (520 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh WG-30W as a Vlogging camera
Sony A500 as a Vlogging camera
33
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
no external mic socket
9
can't record video
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Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh WG-30W and Sony A500
 Ricoh WG-30WSony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Company Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh WG-30W Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Type Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2014-10-09 2009-08-27
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4272 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 125 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.5 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.90 m (Auto ISO) 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 secs
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 -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format H.264 -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
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 194 gr (0.43 pounds) 630 gr (1.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 123 x 62 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 64
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 772
Other
Battery life 300 images 520 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $280 $638