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Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony S980

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Ricoh WG-4 GPS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony S980 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
  • Announced February 2014
  • Later Model is Ricoh WG-5 GPS
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-4 GPS vs Sony S980 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Ricoh WG-4 GPS versus Sony S980, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Ricoh and Sony. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the WG-4 GPS (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The WG-4 GPS was introduced 5 years after the S980 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick view of how the WG-4 GPS grades against the S980 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-4 GPS over the Sony S980

 WG-4 GPS S980 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014February 2009More modern by 61 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Ricoh WG-4 GPS

 S980 WG-4 GPS 

Common features in the Ricoh WG-4 GPS and Sony S980

 WG-4 GPS S980 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and size. The Ricoh WG-4 GPS provides outer measurements of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs) while the Sony S980 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Ricoh WG-4 GPS versus Sony S980 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have during that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the WG-4 GPS compared to the S980.

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the WG-4 GPS and S980 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizes simply by checking out technical specs. The pic here may offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-4 GPS and S980.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can expect the Ricoh WG-4 GPS to produce more detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs far more aggressively. The newer WG-4 GPS provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS Portrait photography info
Sony S980 Portrait photography info
41
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
27
has manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS as a Street photography camera
Sony S980 as a Street photography camera
59
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
heavier than competition (235 grams)
47
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS Sports photography details
Sony S980 Sports photography details
45
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
supports tracking focus
environment proofing
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (240 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
17
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS Travel photography advice
Sony S980 Travel photography advice
69
environment proofing
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery pack (240 per charge)
heavier than competition (235g)
display isn't selfie friendly
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS Landscape photography advice
Sony S980 Landscape photography advice
54
you can focus manually
fairly wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
environment proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
no manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
not so great battery pack (240 shots)
27
has manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS Vlogging factors
Sony S980 Vlogging factors
34
fairly wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
no mic support
heavier than competition (235 grams)
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone support
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Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh WG-4 GPS and Sony S980
 Ricoh WG-4 GPSSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Company Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh WG-4 GPS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2014-02-05 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-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 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
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (Auto ISO) 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye, on + redeye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 235 grams (0.52 pounds) 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 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 240 pictures -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $210 $300