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Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony a1

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Ricoh WG-4 GPS front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Ricoh WG-4 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 235g - 124 x 64 x 33mm
  • Released February 2014
  • Refreshed by Ricoh WG-5 GPS
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Launched January 2021
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Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony a1 Overview

The following is a in depth analysis of the Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony a1, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Ricoh and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the WG-4 GPS (16MP) and a1 (50MP) and the WG-4 GPS (1/2.3") and a1 (Full frame) boast totally different sensor measurements.

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The WG-4 GPS was released 8 years earlier than the a1 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Ricoh WG-4 GPS being a Compact camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a concise view of how the WG-4 GPS scores vs the a1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-4 GPS over the Sony a1

 WG-4 GPS a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Ricoh WG-4 GPS

 a1 WG-4 GPS 
LaunchedJanuary 2021February 2014Newer by 84 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k460kCrisper display (+980k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Ricoh WG-4 GPS and Sony a1

 WG-4 GPS a1 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Ricoh WG-4 GPS features external dimensions of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs) while the Sony a1 has proportions of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Contrast the Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony a1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the WG-4 GPS versus the a1.

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony a1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the WG-4 GPS and a1 is 90 and 61 respectively.

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to see the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reviewing technical specs. The pic here will help give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the WG-4 GPS and a1.

As you have seen, the two cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The WG-4 GPS featuring a tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony a1 will deliver more detail as a result of its extra 34MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more aged WG-4 GPS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS Portrait photography information
Sony a1 Portrait photography information
41
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
includes face detect autofocus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
88
you can focus manually
above average flash sync (1/400s)
megapixel count excellent (50 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS as a Street photography camera
Sony a1 as a Street photography camera
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
heavier than average in class (235g)
79
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
has focus by touch
environment proof
good ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS Sports photography factors
Sony a1 Sports photography factors
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (240 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
90
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
max fps high (30.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count excellent (50 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment proof
good battery pack (530 shots)
has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS Travel photography factors
Sony a1 Travel photography factors
69
weather proofing
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery life (240 per charge)
heavier than average in class (235 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly display
73
good battery pack (530 CIPA)
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
has focus by touch
megapixel count excellent (50MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS Landscape photography information
Sony a1 Landscape photography information
54
has manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
weather proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
not so great battery life (240 per charge)
88
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count excellent (50MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
good ISO range (32,000)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
good battery pack (530 shots)
has dual storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS Vlogging highlights
Sony a1 Vlogging highlights
34
decently wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
does not have mic socket
heavier than average in class (235 grams)
36
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focus
high video quality (7680 x 4320 pxls)
has mic jack
display is not selfie friendly
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Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh WG-4 GPS and Sony a1
 Ricoh WG-4 GPSSony Alpha a1
General Information
Manufacturer Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh WG-4 GPS Sony Alpha a1
Category Waterproof Pro Mirrorless
Released 2014-02-05 2021-01-26
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 50MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 8640 x 5760
Highest native ISO 6400 32000
Highest enhanced ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW photos
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 759
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Total lenses - 133
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,437 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.9x
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 30.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (Auto ISO) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye, on + redeye Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/400s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p) 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 7680x4320
Video data format H.264 XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 235 grams (0.52 pounds) 737 grams (1.62 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 240 shots 530 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots 1 Dual
Retail pricing $210 $6,498