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Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony A850

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
34
Overall
37
Ricoh WG-30W front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
67
Features
60
Overall
64

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony A850 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 A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Released April 2010
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Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony A850 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony A850, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Ricoh and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the WG-30W (16MP) and A850 (25MP) and the WG-30W (1/2.3") and A850 (Full frame) offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The WG-30W was revealed 4 years later than the A850 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Ricoh WG-30W being a Compact camera and the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the WG-30W scores against the A850 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-30W over the Sony A850

 WG-30W A850 
ReleasedOctober 2014April 2010Fresher by 55 months

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Ricoh WG-30W

 A850 WG-30W 
Manual focus More precise focus
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kSharper display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Ricoh WG-30W and Sony A850

 WG-30W A850 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Ricoh WG-30W provides outer dimensions of 123mm x 62mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 194 grams (0.43 lbs) and the Sony A850 has proportions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") having a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Look at the Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony A850 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the WG-30W compared to the A850.

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony A850 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the WG-30W and A850 is 91 and 54 respectively.

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizing simply by checking a spec sheet. The graphic here may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the WG-30W and A850.

As you can see, the 2 cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The WG-30W with its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF trickier and the Sony A850 will give you more detail because of its extra 9MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos way more aggressively. The more recent WG-30W will have an advantage in sensor tech.

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh WG-30W Portrait photography factors
Sony A850 Portrait photography factors
35
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
72
manual focus
high resolution (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Ricoh WG-30W as a Street photography camera
Sony A850 as a Street photography camera
61
built in image stabilization (Digital)
weather proofing
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Ricoh WG-30W
Sports photography with Sony A850
45
built in image stabilization (Digital)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
71
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
high resolution (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
environment sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
max fps very slow (3.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh WG-30W Travel photography highlights
Sony A850 Travel photography highlights
71
weather proofing
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
55
environment sealing
high resolution (25 megapixels)
missing Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh WG-30W Landscape photography info
Sony A850 Landscape photography info
43
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Digital)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
73
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
high resolution (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
doesn't have liveview
missing Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Ricoh WG-30W
Vlogging with Sony A850
33
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Digital)
has face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external mic jack
9
lack of video recording
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Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh WG-30W and Sony A850
 Ricoh WG-30WSony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Brand Name Ricoh Sony
Model Ricoh WG-30W Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Category Waterproof Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2014-10-09 2010-04-15
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 25 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 6048 x 4032
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.5 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.90 m (Auto ISO) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/250 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 -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format H.264 -
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 194g (0.43 lbs) 895g (1.97 lbs)
Physical dimensions 123 x 62 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 1415
Other
Battery life 300 images 880 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Storage slots One 2
Retail cost $280 $0