Ricoh WG-4 vs Zeiss ZX1

On this page, we are evaluating the Ricoh WG-4 versus Zeiss ZX1, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Ricoh and Zeiss. There exists a crucial gap between the resolutions of the WG-4 (16MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the WG-4 (1/2.3") and ZX1 (Full frame) posses different sensor sizes.

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The WG-4 was announced 5 years before the ZX1 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Ricoh WG-4 being a Compact camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving into a thorough comparison, here is a concise summation of how the WG-4 matches up against the ZX1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Ricoh WG-4 and Zeiss ZX1. The whole galleries are provided at Ricoh WG-4 Gallery and Zeiss ZX1 Gallery.

When you are going to carry your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Ricoh WG-4 comes with outside dimensions of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Zeiss ZX1 has dimensions of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Look at the Ricoh WG-4 versus Zeiss ZX1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the WG-4 and the ZX1.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the WG-4 and ZX1 is 90 and 67 respectively.

Sometimes, it is tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizing merely by looking at technical specs. The graphic here will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the WG-4 and ZX1.

As you can tell, both of these cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The WG-4 with its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF more difficult and the Zeiss ZX1 will give you more detail with its extra 21 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos more aggressively. The older WG-4 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.