Clicky

Ricoh WG-5 GPS vs Sony W290

Portability
90
Imaging
41
Features
44
Overall
42
Ricoh WG-5 GPS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Ricoh WG-5 GPS vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Ricoh WG-5 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 236g - 125 x 65 x 32mm
  • Launched February 2015
  • Superseded the Ricoh WG-4 GPS
  • Successor is Ricoh WG-6
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
  • Announced February 2009
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Ricoh WG-5 GPS vs Sony W290 Overview

The following is a extended analysis of the Ricoh WG-5 GPS versus Sony W290, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Ricoh and Sony. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the WG-5 GPS (16MP) and W290 (12MP) but they use the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The WG-5 GPS was revealed 6 years after the W290 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the WG-5 GPS grades versus the W290 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
	
	

Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-5 GPS over the Sony W290

 WG-5 GPS W290 
AnnouncedFebruary 2015February 2009Newer by 73 months
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Ricoh WG-5 GPS

 W290 WG-5 GPS 

Common features in the Ricoh WG-5 GPS and Sony W290

 WG-5 GPS W290 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Ricoh WG-5 GPS vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Ricoh WG-5 GPS provides external measurements of 125mm x 65mm x 32mm (4.9" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs) while the Sony W290 has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Ricoh WG-5 GPS versus Sony W290 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the WG-5 GPS versus the W290.

Ricoh WG-5 GPS vs Sony W290 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the WG-5 GPS and W290 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Ricoh WG-5 GPS vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh WG-5 GPS vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to envision the difference in sensor dimensions merely by researching a spec sheet. The image here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-5 GPS and W290.

Clearly, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Ricoh WG-5 GPS to provide you with greater detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The younger WG-5 GPS will have an advantage in sensor technology.

Ricoh WG-5 GPS vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Ricoh WG-5 GPS vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh WG-5 GPS vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh WG-5 GPS Portrait photography info
Sony W290 Portrait photography info
41
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
27
has manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Ricoh WG-5 GPS as a Street photography camera
Sony W290 as a Street photography camera
59
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
heavier than competitors (236 grams)
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Ricoh WG-5 GPS Sports photography features
Sony W290 Sports photography features
49
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
weather proof
sensor is small (1/2.3")
low battery (240 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Ricoh WG-5 GPS Travel photography information
Sony W290 Travel photography information
69
weather proof
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
low battery (240 shots)
heavier than competitors (236 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
57
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Ricoh WG-5 GPS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W290 as a Landscape photography camera
54
manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
weather proof
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
no manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
low battery (240 per charge)
41
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual mode
low MP (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Ricoh WG-5 GPS
Vlogging with Sony W290
34
fairly wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
heavier than competitors (236 grams)
28
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone jack
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Ricoh WG-5 GPS vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh WG-5 GPS and Sony W290
 Ricoh WG-5 GPSSony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Company Ricoh Sony
Model Ricoh WG-5 GPS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2015-02-10 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 125 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 14.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.40 m (at Auto ISO) 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye, on + redeye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 236 gr (0.52 lbs) 167 gr (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 125 x 65 x 32mm (4.9" x 2.6" x 1.3") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 shots -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $500 $230