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Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony W230

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Ricoh WG-4 GPS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony W230 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
  • Revealed February 2014
  • Refreshed by Ricoh WG-5 GPS
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Introduced February 2009
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Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony W230 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Ricoh WG-4 GPS versus Sony W230, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Ricoh and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the WG-4 GPS (16MP) and W230 (12MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The WG-4 GPS was released 5 years later than the W230 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a in depth comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the WG-4 GPS matches up against the W230 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-4 GPS over the Sony W230

 WG-4 GPS W230 
IntroducedFebruary 2014February 2009More recent by 61 months
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Ricoh WG-4 GPS

 W230 WG-4 GPS 

Common features in the Ricoh WG-4 GPS and Sony W230

 WG-4 GPS W230 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Ricoh WG-4 GPS offers outer dimensions of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs) whilst the Sony W230 has dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Check out the Ricoh WG-4 GPS versus Sony W230 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have at the time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the WG-4 GPS and the W230.

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony W230 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the WG-4 GPS and W230 is 90 and 95 respectively.

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to visualise the gap in sensor measurements merely by going through specifications. The visual underneath may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the WG-4 GPS and W230.

To sum up, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Ricoh WG-4 GPS to provide more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The newer WG-4 GPS is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Ricoh WG-4 GPS
Portrait photography with Sony W230
41
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
27
you can focus manually
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS Street photography advice
Sony W230 Street photography advice
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
heavier than competition in class (235 grams)
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS as a Sports photography camera
Sony W230 as a Sports photography camera
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (240 shots)
no phase detect AF
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS Travel photography details
Sony W230 Travel photography details
69
weather proof
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery pack (240 per charge)
heavier than competition in class (235 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS Landscape photography details
Sony W230 Landscape photography details
54
manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
weather proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
not so great battery pack (240 CIPA)
36
you can focus manually
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual exposure
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS Vlogging info
Sony W230 Vlogging info
34
pretty wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic port
heavier than competition in class (235 grams)
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have mic jack
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Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh WG-4 GPS and Sony W230
 Ricoh WG-4 GPSSony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Company Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh WG-4 GPS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2014-02-05 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-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 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
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) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focusing distance 1cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 1 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (Auto ISO) 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye, on + 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
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 235 gr (0.52 lbs) 156 gr (0.34 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 photos -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $210 $180