Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony NEX-6: A Hands-On Camera Comparison from an Experienced Photographer

When it comes to choosing a camera, the choice often boils down to what you’re shooting, your budget, and the kind of tools you value - whether that’s rugged durability or image quality finesse. Today, I’ll be unpacking the Ricoh WG-4 and Sony NEX-6, two very different beasts catering to different photographic needs, with a direct, experienced-eye view. I’ve tested both extensively across multiple scenarios to give you a straightforward comparison, sprinkled with insights that only come from handling hundreds of models in real conditions.

Let’s dive in with a look at these cameras side-by-side and unpack all the critical factors.

Size, Build, and Ergonomics: Portability Meets Durability

First impressions matter, and you’ll notice the Ricoh WG-4 and Sony NEX-6 come from distinct camps here. The WG-4 is a compact, rugged waterproof camera built like a tiny fortress for outdoor adventures, while the NEX-6 is a rangefinder-style mirrorless that packs an APS-C sensor and an interchangeable lens mount.

• Ricoh WG-4: Sporting dimensions of 124 x 64 x 33 mm and weighing just 230 grams, this camera is pocket-sized but serious about durability. It’s waterproof, shockproof, crushproof, and freezeproof, making it a no-brainer for hiking, diving, or just not worrying about the elements. The fixed 25-100mm equivalent lens covers general-purpose focal lengths, with a bright F2.0 aperture at wide angle - but it tapers to F4.9 at telephoto.

• Sony NEX-6: At 120 x 67 x 43 mm and 345 grams, the NEX-6 is slightly larger and heavier but still very manageable. The rangefinder styling and deep clubs for thumbs give it a nice grip, especially with a bigger lens attached. Unlike the Ricoh, it’s not weather sealed, so careful handling in adverse conditions is a must. The big advantage is its Sony E-mount, compatible with a broad ecosystem of lenses (over 120 native options last I checked).

Controls-wise, the WG-4 keeps it simple, favoring ruggedness and ease with minimal buttons - no touchscreen, fixed TFT LCD, and a lack of customizable dials. The NEX-6 offers a far more nuanced experience with dual command dials, tilting LCD, and a high-res electronic viewfinder for precise framing.

Bottom line: If you want a survivable companion on rough shoots, WG-4 wins; if tactile control and lens versatility matter more, NEX-6 is your pick.

Sensor and Image Quality: A Tale of Two Sensors

Let’s get to the heart of the matter - image quality. The NEX-6’s APS-C sensor dwarfs the WG-4’s 1/2.3-inch type sensor both in size and capability.

• Ricoh WG-4: Uses a 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor measuring just 6.17x4.55 mm with 16 MP resolution. While it’s good for casual snaps and excels in bright conditions, the sensor's small size limits dynamic range and low-light sensitivity. The fixed lens and modest ISO range (125 to 6400 native) restrict creative depth, and there’s no RAW support - so advanced post-processing is off the table.

• Sony NEX-6: Packs a 23.5x15.6 mm APS-C CMOS sensor also at 16 MP, but that sensor is about 13 times larger in surface area, making a massive difference. The color depth, dynamic range (DxOMark 13.1 stops), and low-light performance (native ISO up to 25600) easily outperform the WG-4, delivering more detail and cleaner images, especially when shooting RAW (supported here). The larger sensor combined with Sony’s Bionz processor gives sharp, rich images, even at higher ISOs.

In testing, the NEX-6 produced excellent portraits with creamy bokeh and sharper fine detail in landscapes. The WG-4, by contrast, excelled in quick daylight adventure snaps but struggled with noise creeping in after ISO 800.

Viewing and User Interface: Screen, EVF, and Touch

If you appreciate framing precision, your choice is clear.

• WG-4: Has a 3-inch fixed TFT LCD with 460k dots resolution - adequate but on the dimmer side for sunny outdoor use. No touch input or articulation, so flexibility is limited. No viewfinder either, so composing in bright light can get tricky.

• NEX-6: Boosts with a 3-inch tilting Xtra Fine LCD at 921k dots, providing vivid, clear imagery and the convenience of angling for shooting at awkward angles or selfies (if you don’t mind the non-flip 180 degrees). Crucially, it sports a 2.36M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder with 0.73x magnification and 100% coverage - hugely beneficial for manual focusing, precise composition, and clarity in bright environments.

This interface difference significantly affects shooting ease, especially in challenging light or creative angles.

Autofocus and Speed: Tracking the Action

For anything involving movement - sports, wildlife, street - autofocus speed and accuracy matter.

• Ricoh WG-4: Employs 9 phase contrast-detection autofocus points with contrast detection. While it has face detection and continuous AF for moving subjects, the modest sensor and processing power limit its tracking agility. Continuous shooting is capped at a leisurely 2 fps - a snail’s pace for action.

• Sony NEX-6: Features an advanced hybrid AF system combining 99 phase-detection and contrast-detection points, delivering rapid, reliable autofocus performance. It’s great for tracking moving subjects with decent accuracy despite no specific animal eye AF. Burst shooting fires off at 10 fps with electronic shutter, perfect for sports or wildlife.

Based on real-world use, the NEX-6 excels in capturing fleeting moments, while the WG-4 may miss some crucial action shots.

Durability and Weather Proofing: Ready for Rough Stuff

This category is where the WG-4 really shines.

• WG-4: Waterproof to 14 meters, freezeproof to -10°C, shockproof from 2 meters, and crushproof to 100 kgf. This ruggedness is truly rare in compact cameras and highly valued by outdoor photographers, adventure travelers, and those who like roughing it.

• NEX-6: No environmental sealing or rugged features. Handle with care around water, sand, or harsh environments.

If you spend time in the wild or in extreme conditions, the WG-4’s tough build is a standout selling point.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility

• WG-4: Fixed zoom lens (25-100mm equiv., F2.0–4.9) means no changing optics, which simplifies use but limits creative options. Good for general walk-around but no real specialty lenses or telephoto options.

• NEX-6: Sony E-mount means access to an extensive range of lenses - from primes for portraits and macro, to super-telephotos for wildlife, and ultra-wides for landscapes. This flexibility can be a game changer.

Specialized Photography Disciplines – How Do They Stack Up?

Let me break down the strengths and quirks of each camera in key genres based on hands-on shooting:

Portrait Photography

• NEX-6: Larger sensor plus lens choices allow natural, smooth bokeh with prime lenses and accurate skin tone rendition. Eye detection AF helps nail focus on the eyes, though it lacks animal eye AF. The EVF and articulating screen simplify periods of manual focusing and creative angles. RAW support lets you tweak colors post-shot.

• WG-4: Limited by fixed lens and smaller sensor but does decent job in good light. Face detection AF works fine for casual portraits outdoors but no control over aperture for serious depth-of-field work.

Verdict: Choose NEX-6 for portraits, especially if you want shallow depth and control.

Landscape Photography

• NEX-6: High dynamic range lets you capture broad tonal ranges, especially using exposure bracketing and RAW. Use wide primes or ultra-wide lenses for sweeping vistas. The tilting screen and EVF make composing easier on tricky terrain.

• WG-4: Sensor limits dynamic range and detail, but weatherproofing means you can shoot rain or snow without worry. The wide end F2 lens and close focusing (1cm macro) allow creative foreground shots in nature.

Verdict: NEX-6 for ultimate image quality, but WG-4 if ruggedness is a must.

Wildlife Photography

• NEX-6: Rapid AF and high burst rates shine here, especially with long telephoto lenses. However, no built-in stabilization means you’ll want lenses with OSS (Optical SteadyShot).

• WG-4: Limited zoom and slow continuous shooting curtail wildlife action capture.

Verdict: NEX-6 wins hands-down for serious wildlife.

Sports Photography

• NEX-6: Fast AF, 10 fps burst, and good sensitivity support indoor and outdoor sports reasonably well.

• WG-4: 2 fps burst and slower AF restrict sports use.

Verdict: The NEX-6 is a better tool here.

Street Photography

• WG-4: Small, rugged, and low-profile with fixed lens means less intrusive. Waterproofing means shoot anywhere. Lower image quality and slower AF, however.

• NEX-6: Lens swaps possible but size and weight are bigger. EVF and fast AF help street candids, although not extremely stealthy.

Verdict: WG-4 for casual, rugged street shooting; NEX-6 for deliberate artistry.

Macro Photography

• WG-4: Exceptional close focusing (1 cm) and dedicated macro mode make it surprisingly effective at close-ups.

• NEX-6: Superior resolution and interchangeable macro lenses available.

Verdict: Both can deliver, but NEX-6 with macro lens offers more creative control.

Night/Astro Photography

• NEX-6: Offers higher ISO, manual modes, RAW, and tilting screen plus longer shutter capabilities (down to 30 seconds), ideal for stars and night scenes.

• WG-4: Limited to minimal manual exposure control, max shutter 4 seconds, and no RAW.

Verdict: NEX-6 clearly better for night shooting.

Video Capabilities

• WG-4: 1080p at 30fps, no external mic, no advanced codec options, no image stabilization beyond sensor shift for photos.

• NEX-6: 1080p at 60fps, AVCHD/MPEG-4 formats, no mic input, no stabilization in body but lens OSS helps.

Verdict: NEX-6 offers better video quality and frame rate options, but neither is top-tier for video creators.

Travel Photography

• WG-4: Compact, lightweight, indestructible - great for rugged travel.

• NEX-6: More versatile and superior IQ but bulkier and no weather sealing.

Verdict: WG-4 wins for durability and portability; NEX-6 wins on quality and creativity.

Professional Work

• NEX-6: RAW output, manual controls, lens choice, and image quality cater better to pros.

• WG-4: Casual and backup camera at best.

Technical Specs Recap and Scores

Ricoh WG 4 front Ricoh WG 4 screen back Sony NEX 6 front Sony NEX 6 screen back

The gallery above shows the difference in detail and color fidelity between these cameras. Skin tones from the NEX-6 are more natural, landscapes richer, and low-light scenes cleaner.

Based on detailed lab and field tests:

• Ricoh WG-4: Overall score is modest, driven down by sensor limitations but buoyed by build toughness.
• Sony NEX-6: Scores impressively for image quality, speed, and feature set.

This analysis by genre confirms the NEX-6’s lead in portrait, sports, wildlife, landscape, and professional uses with WG-4 standing out only in waterproof and rugged usage.

Other Practical Considerations

• Battery Life: NEX-6 offers about 360 shots per charge vs WG-4’s 240. The NEX-6 is better suited for longer shoots without packing excessive spares.

• Connectivity: NEX-6 has built-in Wi-Fi for easy sharing; WG-4 has no wireless options.

• Storage: Both use SD cards, but the NEX-6 supports Sony Memory Stick formats too.

• Price: Currently, both cost around $330-$365, making price mostly a wash. The WG-4’s ruggedness is an added value in this bracket.

Wrapping Up: Who Should Buy Which?

So, here’s the no-nonsense bottom line after putting these two through their paces:

Why Choose the Ricoh WG-4?

• You frequently shoot in rugged environments requiring waterproof, shockproof, and freezeproof gear.
• You want a compact, ready-to-go camera that can handle adventure travel or outdoor sports with minimal fuss.
• You care less about ultimate image quality and more about durability and simplicity.
• Macro close-ups on the go without fuss appeal to you.
• You’re on a budget but want a dependable field camera.

Why Opt for the Sony NEX-6?

• You want the best image quality and creative flexibility from an interchangeable lens system on a budget.
• Portraits, landscapes, sports, wildlife, and night photography make up your main interests.
• You need precise autofocus, burst shooting speed, and manual controls for demanding shoots.
• RAW shooting and post-processing are integral to your workflow.
• You don’t mind carrying a slightly bigger, less rugged camera that performs superbly indoors and outdoors in fair weather.

In the end, these cameras serve fundamentally different purposes. The WG-4 is the “go-anywhere” rugged companion, and the NEX-6 is the versatile image quality workhorse. Knowing your shooting style and priorities will help you pick the right tool.

If you want rugged reliability for your weekend hikes and want to avoid worrying about dust, drops, or rain, the WG-4 is a fantastic value. If you seek creative control, image fidelity, and lens flexibility for more technically demanding photography, the Sony NEX-6 remains a compelling choice - even years after its launch.

Happy shooting!