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Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony S980

Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
34
Overall
38
Ricoh WG-30W front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony S980 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
  • Announced October 2014
Sony S980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Announced February 2009
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Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony S980 Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Ricoh WG-30W and Sony S980, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Ricoh and Sony. There exists a huge gap between the image resolutions of the WG-30W (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The WG-30W was announced 5 years later than the S980 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a concise view of how the WG-30W grades against the S980 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-30W over the Sony S980

 WG-30W S980 
AnnouncedOctober 2014February 2009More recent by 69 months

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Ricoh WG-30W

 S980 WG-30W 
Manually focus More precise focus

Common features in the Ricoh WG-30W and Sony S980

 WG-30W S980 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Ricoh WG-30W has external measurements of 123mm x 62mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 194 grams (0.43 lbs) while the Sony S980 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Ricoh WG-30W and Sony S980 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the WG-30W compared to the S980.

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony S980 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the WG-30W and S980 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to picture the difference between sensor measurements just by checking a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-30W and S980.

Clearly, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You should expect the Ricoh WG-30W to resolve more detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The younger WG-30W should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Ricoh WG-30W
Portrait photography with Sony S980
36
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
includes face detection focus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
27
manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Ricoh WG-30W as a Street photography camera
Sony S980 as a Street photography camera
62
has image stabilization (Digital)
weather proof
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
47
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Ricoh WG-30W
Sports photography with Sony S980
45
has image stabilization (Digital)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proof
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
17
low fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh WG-30W Travel photography features
Sony S980 Travel photography features
71
weather proof
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh WG-30W as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S980 as a Landscape photography camera
43
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
MP count decent (16MP)
weather proof
lack of manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
27
manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh WG-30W Vlogging information
Sony S980 Vlogging information
33
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
includes face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external mic support
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic port
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Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh WG-30W and Sony S980
 Ricoh WG-30WSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Company Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh WG-30W Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2014-10-09 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 125 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.90 m (Auto ISO) 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 194g (0.43 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 123 x 62 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photographs -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $280 $300