Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony A500
90 Imaging
40 Features
43 Overall
41


63 Imaging
51 Features
52 Overall
51
Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony A500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
- 235g - 124 x 64 x 33mm
- Announced February 2014
- Updated by Ricoh WG-5 GPS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Revealed August 2009
- Newer Model is Sony A560

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony A500 Overview
In this write-up, we are comparing the Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony A500, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Ricoh and Sony. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the WG-4 GPS (16MP) and A500 (12MP) and the WG-4 GPS (1/2.3") and A500 (APS-C) come with different sensor dimensions.

The WG-4 GPS was unveiled 4 years later than the A500 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Ricoh WG-4 GPS being a Compact camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief summation of how the WG-4 GPS matches up vs the A500 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony A500 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Ricoh WG-4 GPS and Sony Alpha DSLR-A500. The full galleries are available at Ricoh WG-4 GPS Gallery and Sony A500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-4 GPS over the Sony A500
WG-4 GPS | A500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2014 | ![]() | August 2009 | More recent by 55 months |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Ricoh WG-4 GPS
A500 | WG-4 GPS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Ricoh WG-4 GPS and Sony A500
WG-4 GPS | A500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither contains Touch display |
Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison
For those who are going to lug around your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Ricoh WG-4 GPS has got exterior dimensions of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs) and the Sony A500 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).
Compare the Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony A500 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at the time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the WG-4 GPS versus the A500.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the WG-4 GPS and A500 is 90 and 63 respectively.

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it's difficult to imagine the gap between sensor measurements only by reading specifications. The graphic here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the WG-4 GPS and A500.
Plainly, the 2 cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The WG-4 GPS having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF tougher and the Ricoh WG-4 GPS will offer greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics a little more aggressively. The fresher WG-4 GPS provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony A500 Specifications
Ricoh WG-4 GPS | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Ricoh | Sony |
Model type | Ricoh WG-4 GPS | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 |
Category | Waterproof | Entry-Level DSLR |
Announced | 2014-02-05 | 2009-08-27 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor 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 |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4272 x 2848 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 125 | 200 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens zoom range | 25-100mm (4.0x) | - |
Maximum aperture | f/2.0-4.9 | - |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | - |
Total lenses | - | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 460 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 2.0 frames/s | 5.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 10.00 m (Auto ISO) | 12.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye, on + redeye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | - | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p) | - |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video file format | H.264 | - |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 235 gr (0.52 lb) | 630 gr (1.39 lb) |
Dimensions | 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 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 | 240 pictures | 520 pictures |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI92 | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch price | $210 | $638 |