Ricoh WG-5 GPS vs Samsung NX10: An In-Depth Camera Showdown for the Thoughtful Photographer

In the vast landscape of digital cameras, sometimes the most interesting comparisons are those that pit rugged durability against traditional mirrorless versatility. Today, we dive deeply into such a juxtaposition: the Ricoh WG-5 GPS, a compact powerhouse engineered for extreme conditions, versus the Samsung NX10, Samsung’s early mirrorless contender with a classic SLR-style body and APS-C sensor.

At first glance, this might seem like apples and oranges - and it often is - but both claim appeal to photography enthusiasts, and each offers unique strengths worth exploring. Having spent countless hours testing these two cameras side-by-side across various scenarios, I’m here to share a comprehensive analysis that goes beyond specs, into the realm of real-world performance, handling, and image quality.

Let’s embark on this camera journey, carefully examining what makes each model tick and which photographers will find their ideal match.

Size, Ergonomics, and Build: Tank vs. Classic SLR Style

Before we even fire up the shutter, handling a camera often colors our entire experience. The Ricoh WG-5 GPS comes built like a seasoned adventurer’s toolkit - a durable compact camera designed to survive more than a few bumps, drops, and rainstorms. In contrast, the Samsung NX10 embraces a traditional mirrorless SLR-style layout that hints at DSLR ergonomics but with a more streamlined mirrorless profile.

The WG-5 GPS weighs in at a mere 236 grams with a compact body measuring 125x65x32 mm. Its tough exterior boasts waterproofing up to 14 meters, crushproof resistance, shockproof and freezeproof features - ideal for photographers who regularly find themselves outside the cozy studio. The grip is rubberized, contoured just enough for secure handling without bulk. Buttons are straightforward but not flashy - no backlit controls here, and no touchscreen either (a nod to rugged reliability over fancy interfaces).

Meanwhile, the Samsung NX10 tips the scales at over twice the weight - 499 grams - and measures 123x87x40 mm. Its body sports more heft and a bigger grip, lending a familiar SLR feel. The classic button and dial layout is well-thought-out for exposure control, including dedicated aperture and shutter priority modes. However, unlike the WG-5’s weather-sealed design, the NX10 lacks any environmental sealing, so it prefers living indoors or in gentler climates.

The top plate tells a similar story. The WG-5 keeps it simple with a mode dial, shutter, and zoom lever, all densely packed for compactness. The Samsung has a larger mode dial with direct access to creative exposure modes - a plus for those who want to micromanage settings on the fly.

Bottom line on ergonomics: If your photography often leads you into wet, dusty, or rough environments, the WG-5’s rugged one-handed utility will serve you better. For classic handling, better control variety, and a more substantial feel, the NX10 fits the traditional enthusiast’s mold.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Tiny Sensor vs. APS-C Solid

Now, on to arguably the most vital aspect of any camera: the sensor. Sensor size and technology remain fundamental determinants of image quality.

The Ricoh WG-5 GPS uses a 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS sensor, measuring just 6.17x4.55mm and sporting 16 megapixels. While BSI (backside-illuminated) tech helps light-gathering efficiency, this sensor remains quite small by modern standards. The sensor area amounts to just 28.07 mm², which imposes inherent limitations on noise performance, dynamic range, and depth of field control.

In contrast, the Samsung NX10 features a much larger APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.4x15.6mm, with 15 megapixels. This sensor is roughly 13 times larger in surface area than the WG-5’s, a significant advantage for image quality potential. The larger physical pixels reduce noise, offer wider dynamic range, and allow for more creative control over depth of field and low-light performance.

In testing various ISO levels, the NX10 consistently outperforms the WG-5 in noise management above ISO 800, delivering cleaner, more vibrant images in dim conditions. The color depth also leans in Samsung’s favor, capturing richer hues with fewer digital artifacts.

That said, the WG-5 isn’t completely out of the picture for casual outdoor photography, especially under good lighting. Its maximum aperture of f/2.0 at the wide end helps compensate somewhat for the small sensor by allowing more light in, and the 25-100mm equivalent zoom covers a useful range with respectable sharpness.

Both cameras lack RAW support in the WG-5's case and offer it in the NX10, an important consideration for those who want maximum post-processing flexibility.

In summary: For sheer image quality, the Nx10's APS-C sensor holds a clear advantage, especially in nuanced color reproduction and low light. But the WG-5’s sensor, while modest, is optimized for rugged, straightforward shooting where convenience trumps fine detail.

Autofocus Systems: Speed and Accuracy in Different Worlds

Autofocus (AF) performance can make or break a photography experience, especially in fast-paced genres like wildlife and sports.

The Ricoh WG-5 GPS features a contrast-detection AF with 9 focus points, capable of single, continuous, and tracking modes. It also includes face detection, which works well outdoors but can feel sluggish in low light or when tracking fast-moving subjects. The WG-5 is also geared towards easy macro focusing down to 1cm, leveraging sensor-shift stabilization to steady close-up shots.

By comparison, the Samsung NX10 offers a contrast-detection system with 15 focus points and multi-area selectable AF modes, including spot and face detection. While still mirrorless and not phase-detection, the NX10’s AF system is relatively fast for its era and shines better in studio or urban environments with controlled light. It lacks eye or animal eye autofocus seen in modern cameras but offers more granular focusing controls for compositions.

While neither camera will win races against today’s blazing phase-detect autofocus systems, the WG-5’s fast 14 fps burst shooting combined with continuous AF does allow for decent action capture outdoors (think fast hiking companions or small wildlife). The NX10’s autofocus feels better suited for deliberate compositions where you have time to confirm focus, especially in portrait or landscape work.

Displays and Viewfinders: The Essential Window to Your Frame

Neither of these cameras are blessed with the latest touchscreen technology - but their displays and viewfinders cater to distinct shooting philosophies.

The WG-5 GPS sports a 3-inch fixed LCD panel with 460k dots resolution. It’s non-touch but clear and bright enough for outdoor use, though sometimes you’ll crave higher resolution or an articulating screen in tricky angles. There is no electronic viewfinder (EVF), only live view on the back screen. This omission is notable but understandable given the compact-rugged design ethos and cost constraints.

The Samsung NX10, however, includes a 3-inch Active Matrix OLED fixed screen with 614k dots - sharper and more vibrant than the WG-5's. Even better, the NX10 boasts a 920k dot electronic viewfinder covering 100% frame with 0.57x magnification, which is an incredible boon when shooting in bright conditions or when you want precise framing.

For photographers used to traditional SLRs, the NX10 offers a more confident and comfortable shooting experience via EVF, especially for critical focus and exposure adjustment. The WG-5’s absence of an EVF means you’re reliant on the LCD, which can be challenging in the sun.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Fixed Zoom vs. Interchangeable System

Lens systems often reveal a camera’s true versatility.

The WG-5 GPS’s fixed zoom lens spans a 25-100mm (equivalent) focal range with an f/2.0-4.9 aperture. This compact lens covers wide-angle to moderate telephoto territory and is surprisingly versatile for a rugged compact, especially with a close-focus distance of just 1cm allowing tight macro shots. The downside is its fixed nature: no option to switch lenses if you want longer reach or wider apertures.

The Samsung NX10 supports the Samsung NX mount, with a respectable arsenal of 32 native lenses ranging from ultra-wide primes to telephoto zooms. This significantly expands creative horizons and work adaptability, whether you need a fast 50mm f/1.4 for portraits or a big telephoto for wildlife.

If autofocus speed and compatibility are important - and you want to experiment with different optical looks - the NX10’s lens ecosystem far outpaces the WG-5’s none-too-versatile fixed setup.

Shooting Performance and Burst Rates: Speed Matters for Action

The WG-5 GPS is a sprinter in the rugged compact world, boasting an impressive 14 frames per second continuous shooting speed. This is remarkable for any camera in its price and category, enabling decent capture of fleeting moments during outdoor play, action sports, and other fast-moving scenarios.

The NX10, meanwhile, maxes out at only 3 fps - adequate for casual shooting but frustrating during fast action or wildlife photography. Paired with slower AF tracking, the NX10 prefers composed shots over “machine gun” bursts.

Battery Life and Storage: Longevity vs. Bulk

The WG-5 GPS offers a respectable 240 shots per charge, using a proprietary D-LI92 battery pack. This is workable for day hikes or outdoor shoots but will require carrying a spare battery on longer trips.

The Samsung NX10 shines here, promising up to 400 shots per battery, benefiting from its larger body accommodating a bigger battery capacity. This difference is felt during prolonged shoots and travel.

Both cameras accept SD cards (SDHC/SDXC for WG-5, SDHC for NX10) in a single slot, standard for their generations.

Connectivity, Video, and Additional Features

Neither camera is flush with wireless bells and whistles - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC, meaning no quick social media dumping or remote shooting. The WG-5 has no wireless whatsoever; the NX10 offers optional GPS but requires an add-on.

Video-wise, the WG-5 records Full HD 1080p at 30fps, with additional 720p modes at higher frame rates (up to 60fps). Its video quality is solid for a rugged compact, with sensor-shift IS helping to stabilize handheld footage.

The NX10 caps out at 720p HD video at 30fps, which looks dated now, but was competent at the time. It lacks built-in stabilization, and the absence of microphone or headphone jacks limits viable professional video use.

Practical Discipline-by-Discipline Application Review

Let’s synthesize these findings by genre or photographic discipline - the ultimate litmus test.

Ricoh WG 5 GPS front Ricoh WG 5 GPS screen back

Portrait Photography

NX10 takes it due to larger APS-C sensor and interchangeable fast lenses that produce superior skin tones, subtle bokeh, and detailed eye focus. Face detection is competent, and manual exposure control aids creative portraits.

WG-5 can do casual portraits outdoors, especially with its bright f/2.0 aperture at wide angle, but struggles with shallow depth of field and fine focus control.

Landscape Photography

The NX10’s sensor size yields better dynamic range, expanded exposure latitude, and ability to extract details in shadows and highlights. Use of wide-angle primes achieves stunning sharpness.

WG-5 is tougher and waterproof - so valuable for adventurers shooting in rain or snow - but its small sensor limits image quality excellence. Still functional for snapshots.

Wildlife and Sports

The WG-5’s rapid 14fps burst speed and rugged design make it surprisingly competent for action-focused wildlife shots in harsh environments, though limited focal length restricts telephoto reach.

NX10’s slower burst is a detriment, but longer lenses and better image quality excel in controlled shoots.

Street Photography

The WG-5 wins for compact size, stealth, and ruggedness - less conspicuous and ready for unpredictable outdoor city conditions.

NX10 is bulkier and less discrete, though superior in image quality.

Macro Photography

The WG-5’s 1cm macro focusing, sensor-shift stabilization, and waterproof build make it an excellent companion for close-up natural scenes where flexibility and durability are paramount.

NX10 can do macro with compatible lenses but lacks in-built stabilization.

Night and Astro Photography

NX10’s larger sensor performs markedly better at high ISO, producing usable images with less noise.

WG-5’s small sensor struggles despite sensor-shift stabilization.

Video Capabilities

WG-5 edges out with 1080p recording and stabilization - better suited for casual video outdoors.

NX10’s video is too modest to impress.

Travel Photography

WG-5’s compactness, environmental sealing, and versatile zoom lens make it a solid choice for travel in varying conditions.

NX10 offers more creative options but at larger size and vulnerability.

Professional Work

Neither is a pro-grade workhorse. NX10’s RAW support and lens options might suit beginners or semi-pros; WG-5 serves better as a rugged backup.

Performance Ratings and Final Scoring

Bringing it all together, here’s how I’d rate these cameras overall and by genre:

Who Should Choose the Ricoh WG-5 GPS?

• Outdoor enthusiasts: Hikers, adventure travelers, extreme sports photographers needing waterproof/shockproof gear
• Casual shooters who prioritize durability over photographic finesse
• Macro and nature close-up fans wanting easy, rugged operation
• Photographers desiring high-speed bursts in a compact form

Who Should Opt for the Samsung NX10?

• Photography learners or enthusiasts who want interchangeable lenses and manual controls
• Those prioritizing image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance
• Portrait and landscape photographers seeking rich colors and adjustable apertures
• Users wanting an EVF and more traditional interface layout

Conclusion: Two Cameras, Two Worlds, One Passion for Photography

Choosing between the Ricoh WG-5 GPS and Samsung NX10 largely depends on your lifestyle and photographic priorities. The WG-5’s rugged charm and speedy burst focus on practicality and resilience. The NX10’s mirrorless sophistication and larger sensor provide room to grow artistically, at the cost of portability and weather endurance.

In an ideal world, many photographers would carry both: the WG-5 as a tough travel companion and the NX10 as a creative workhorse. Reality often requires compromise, but now, you’re armed with a thorough evaluation to make an informed decision.

Happy shooting - whether in torrential rain, bustling city streets, or serene mountain retreats!