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Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony a5100

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Ricoh WG-4 front
 
Sony Alpha a5100 front
Portability
89
Imaging
66
Features
74
Overall
69

Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony a5100 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 a5100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 283g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
  • Announced August 2014
  • Replaced the Sony a5000
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Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony a5100 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Ricoh WG-4 and Sony a5100, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Ricoh and Sony. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the WG-4 (16MP) and a5100 (24MP) and the WG-4 (1/2.3") and a5100 (APS-C) feature different sensor size.

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The WG-4 was revealed 6 months prior to the a5100 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Ricoh WG-4 being a Compact camera and the Sony a5100 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise overview of how the WG-4 scores versus the a5100 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-4 over the Sony a5100

 WG-4 a5100 

Reasons to pick Sony a5100 over the Ricoh WG-4

 a5100 WG-4 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k460kCrisper display (+462k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Ricoh WG-4 and Sony a5100

 WG-4 a5100 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014August 2014Same generation
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony a5100 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Ricoh WG-4 features outer measurements of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Sony a5100 has specifications of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

Examine the Ricoh WG-4 and Sony a5100 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the WG-4 vs the a5100.

Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony a5100 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the WG-4 and a5100 is 90 and 89 respectively.

Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony a5100 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony a5100 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to picture the contrast in sensor measurements merely by going through specifications. The graphic underneath will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the WG-4 and a5100.

To sum up, the 2 cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The WG-4 with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh more difficult and the Sony a5100 will provide extra detail because of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images a little more aggressively.

Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony a5100 sensor size comparison

Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony a5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony a5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 Portrait photography details
Sony a5100 Portrait photography details
41
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
features face detection autofocus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
72
manual focus
resolution is good (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
supports RAW files
external flash not possible
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Street Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 Street photography highlights
Sony a5100 Street photography highlights
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
82
screen tilts up and down
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
provides touch to focus
good ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 Sports photography highlights
Sony a5100 Sports photography highlights
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
max frames per second low (2.0 frames per second)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
low battery life (240 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
68
resolution is good (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
great battery pack (400 shots)
comes with phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 Travel photography info
Sony a5100 Travel photography info
72
weather proof
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
low battery life (240 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
80
great battery pack (400 per charge)
provides touch to focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 Landscape photography features
Sony a5100 Landscape photography features
54
focusing manually
relatively wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
weather proof
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
low battery life (240 CIPA)
79
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
resolution is good (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (400 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh WG-4 as a Vlogging camera
Sony a5100 as a Vlogging camera
36
relatively wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic port
34
touch screen
supports face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
lack of external mic jack
Photography Glossary

Ricoh WG-4 vs Sony a5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh WG-4 and Sony a5100
 Ricoh WG-4Sony Alpha a5100
General Information
Make Ricoh Sony
Model Ricoh WG-4 Sony Alpha a5100
Category Waterproof Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2014-02-05 2014-08-17
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 179
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m (Auto ISO) 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye, on + redeye Flash off, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (120p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 230 grams (0.51 lb) 283 grams (0.62 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.7
DXO Low light score not tested 1347
Other
Battery life 240 pictures 400 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $330 $448