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Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony a1

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Ricoh WG-4 front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony a1 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
  • Revealed February 2014
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Expand to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Announced January 2021
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Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony a1 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Ricoh WG-4 and Sony a1, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Ricoh and Sony. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the WG-4 (16MP) and a1 (50MP) and the WG-4 (1/2.3") and a1 (Full frame) use different sensor size.

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The WG-4 was manufactured 8 years prior to the a1 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Ricoh WG-4 being a Compact camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a short view of how the WG-4 matches up against the a1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-4 over the Sony a1

 WG-4 a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Ricoh WG-4

 a1 WG-4 
AnnouncedJanuary 2021February 2014More recent by 84 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1440k460kClearer screen (+980k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Ricoh WG-4 and Sony a1

 WG-4 a1 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and proportions. The Ricoh WG-4 enjoys exterior dimensions of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Sony a1 has measurements of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

See the Ricoh WG-4 and Sony a1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select at the time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the WG-4 compared to the a1.

Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony a1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the WG-4 and a1 is 90 and 61 respectively.

Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to imagine the difference in sensor measurements merely by seeing specs. The graphic underneath will help provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the WG-4 and a1.

All in all, both of the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The WG-4 because of its smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Sony a1 will produce extra detail due to its extra 34MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs much more aggressively. The older WG-4 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony a1 as a Portrait photography camera
41
focusing manually
MP count decent (16MP)
features face detection focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
88
you can focus manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/400 seconds)
fantastic MP (50 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 as a Street photography camera
Sony a1 as a Street photography camera
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
79
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
boasts focus by touch
weather proof
good high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 Sports photography details
Sony a1 Sports photography details
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery life (240 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
90
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
max frames per second high (30.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic MP (50 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proof
better than average battery (530 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 Travel photography features
Sony a1 Travel photography features
72
weather proofing
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
bad battery life (240 per charge)
does not have selfie friendly screen
73
better than average battery (530 per charge)
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
fantastic MP (50MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Ricoh WG-4
Landscape photography with Sony a1
54
focusing manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
bad battery life (240 per charge)
88
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic MP (50MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (32,000)
saves RAW files
weather proof
better than average battery (530 shots)
has dual storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Ricoh WG-4
Vlogging with Sony a1
36
reasonably wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone jack
36
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection autofocus
great video quality (7680 x 4320 pxls)
includes external mic jack
display isn't selfie friendly
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Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh WG-4 and Sony a1
 Ricoh WG-4Sony Alpha a1
General Information
Manufacturer Ricoh Sony
Model Ricoh WG-4 Sony Alpha a1
Class Waterproof Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2014-02-05 2021-01-26
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 50 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 8640 x 5760
Max native ISO 6400 32000
Max boosted ISO - 102400
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 759
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 133
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,437k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.9x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Maximum quiet shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 30.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.00 m (Auto ISO) no built-in flash
Flash options 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
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/400s
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) 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 7680x4320
Video format H.264 XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 230 gr (0.51 pounds) 737 gr (1.62 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photographs 530 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots Single Dual
Pricing at launch $330 $6,498