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Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony W290

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Ricoh WG-4 GPS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony W290 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
  • Introduced February 2014
  • Refreshed by Ricoh WG-5 GPS
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
  • Launched February 2009
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Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony W290 Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Ricoh WG-4 GPS versus Sony W290, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Ricoh and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the resolutions of the WG-4 GPS (16MP) and W290 (12MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The WG-4 GPS was unveiled 5 years later than the W290 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summary of how the WG-4 GPS matches up versus the W290 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-4 GPS over the Sony W290

 WG-4 GPS W290 
LaunchedFebruary 2014February 2009Fresher by 61 months
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Ricoh WG-4 GPS

 W290 WG-4 GPS 

Common features in the Ricoh WG-4 GPS and Sony W290

 WG-4 GPS W290 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Ricoh WG-4 GPS provides external measurements of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Ricoh WG-4 GPS versus Sony W290 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Here is a front view size comparison of the WG-4 GPS compared to the W290.

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony W290 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the WG-4 GPS and W290 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing just by looking through a spec sheet. The photograph here may give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-4 GPS and W290.

As you can see, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should anticipate the Ricoh WG-4 GPS to provide you with more detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The younger WG-4 GPS should have an edge in sensor tech.

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Ricoh WG-4 GPS
Portrait photography with Sony W290
41
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
27
focusing manually
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS Street photography highlights
Sony W290 Street photography highlights
59
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
more heavy than average in class (235 grams)
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS as a Sports photography camera
Sony W290 as a Sports photography camera
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
max fps low (2.0 fps)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery life (240 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS Travel photography features
Sony W290 Travel photography features
69
weather proofing
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
low battery life (240 per charge)
more heavy than average in class (235g)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
57
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS Landscape photography information
Sony W290 Landscape photography information
54
you can focus manually
pretty wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
low battery life (240 CIPA)
41
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 GPS Vlogging factors
Sony W290 Vlogging factors
34
pretty wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone jack
more heavy than average in class (235 grams)
28
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic port
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Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh WG-4 GPS and Sony W290
 Ricoh WG-4 GPSSony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Make Ricoh Sony
Model Ricoh WG-4 GPS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing 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
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 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
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 235g (0.52 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 240 pictures -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $210 $230