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Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony W550

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
34
Overall
37
Ricoh WG-30W front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony W550 Key Specs

Ricoh WG-30W
(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
  • 194g - 123 x 62 x 30mm
  • Released October 2014
Sony W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Launched July 2011
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Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony W550 Overview

Here is a in depth analysis of the Ricoh WG-30W and Sony W550, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Ultracompact by brands Ricoh and Sony. The resolution of the WG-30W (16MP) and the W550 (14MP) is very comparable and they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The WG-30W was manufactured 3 years later than the W550 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Ricoh WG-30W being a Compact camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise overview of how the WG-30W grades against the W550 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-30W over the Sony W550

 WG-30W W550 
LaunchedOctober 2014July 2011Fresher by 40 months

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Ricoh WG-30W

 W550 WG-30W 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Ricoh WG-30W and Sony W550

 WG-30W W550 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and size. The Ricoh WG-30W has outside measurements of 123mm x 62mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 194 grams (0.43 lbs) whilst the Sony W550 has specifications of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Examine the Ricoh WG-30W and Sony W550 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select during that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the WG-30W compared to the W550.

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony W550 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the WG-30W and W550 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizing merely by going through specs. The photograph here will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the WG-30W and W550.

As you can plainly see, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Ricoh WG-30W to show extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images far more aggressively. The younger WG-30W will have an advantage in sensor tech.

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Ricoh WG-30W
Portrait photography with Sony W550
35
good resolution (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
28
decent MP (14MP)
no manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Ricoh WG-30W as a Street photography camera
Sony W550 as a Street photography camera
61
built in image stabilization (Digital)
weather proof
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh WG-30W Sports photography advice
Sony W550 Sports photography advice
45
built in image stabilization (Digital)
good resolution (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
35
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh WG-30W Travel photography features
Sony W550 Travel photography features
71
weather proof
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
65
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (26mm)
does not have Timelapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh WG-30W Landscape photography factors
Sony W550 Landscape photography factors
43
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Digital)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
weather proof
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
42
rather wide (26mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
no manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh WG-30W as a Vlogging camera
Sony W550 as a Vlogging camera
33
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Digital)
supports face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic support
29
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone port
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Ricoh WG-30W vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh WG-30W and Sony W550
 Ricoh WG-30WSony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Brand Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh WG-30W Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Type Waterproof Ultracompact
Released 2014-10-09 2011-07-24
Body design Compact Ultracompact
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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 125 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.90 m (Auto ISO) 3.80 m
Flash modes Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone 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 194 grams (0.43 lbs) 110 grams (0.24 lbs)
Dimensions 123 x 62 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 photos -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single -
Pricing at launch $280 $119