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Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony A9

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Ricoh WG-4 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81

Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Ricoh WG-4
(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
  • 230g - 124 x 64 x 33mm
  • Launched February 2014
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Released April 2017
  • Replacement is Sony A9 II
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Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony A9 Overview

Following is a thorough analysis of the Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony A9, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Ricoh and Sony. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the WG-4 (16MP) and A9 (24MP) and the WG-4 (1/2.3") and A9 (Full frame) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The WG-4 was released 4 years before the A9 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Ricoh WG-4 being a Compact camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summation of how the WG-4 grades versus the A9 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-4 over the Sony A9

 WG-4 A9 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Ricoh WG-4

 A9 WG-4 
ReleasedApril 2017February 2014More modern by 38 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1440k460kSharper screen (+980k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Ricoh WG-4 and Sony A9

 WG-4 A9 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and volume. The Ricoh WG-4 comes with physical dimensions of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Sony A9 has sizing of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") with a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Check the Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony A9 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose during that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the WG-4 vs the A9.

Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the WG-4 and A9 is 90 and 65 respectively.

Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to envision the gap in sensor sizes only by seeing specifications. The image underneath will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the WG-4 and A9.

To sum up, the 2 cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The WG-4 featuring a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Sony A9 will show greater detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged WG-4 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 Portrait photography information
Sony A9 Portrait photography information
41
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
comes with face detect focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
83
focusing manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 as a Street photography camera
Sony A9 as a Street photography camera
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
79
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
comes with focus by touch
weather proofing
above average high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Ricoh WG-4
Sports photography with Sony A9
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
max fps low (2.0 fps)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (240 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
86
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
high fps (20.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
good battery power (650 CIPA)
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A9 as a Travel photography camera
72
environment sealing
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery pack (240 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
73
good battery power (650 CIPA)
weather proofing
supports bluetooth
comes with focus by touch
good resolution (24 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Ricoh WG-4
Landscape photography with Sony A9
54
you can focus manually
quite wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
environment sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not available
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
not so great battery pack (240 CIPA)
85
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
above average high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
good battery power (650 CIPA)
two card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A9 as a Vlogging camera
36
quite wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
36
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have external mic socket
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh WG-4 and Sony A9
 Ricoh WG-4Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Brand Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh WG-4 Sony Alpha A9
Category Waterproof Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2014-02-05 2017-04-19
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 6400 51200
Highest boosted ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW data
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 693
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dots 1,440k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 20.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (Auto ISO) no built-in flash
Flash settings 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
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 230 gr (0.51 pounds) 673 gr (1.48 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 92
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 3517
Other
Battery life 240 pictures 650 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots One 2
Retail pricing $330 $4,498