Ricoh WG-5 GPS vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730: A Thorough Comparison for the Practical Photographer

Selecting a compact camera today can feel like navigating a dense forest of specs and marketing jargon. I’ve spent hundreds of hours putting cameras through their paces in varied real-world conditions, and it’s this experience I bring to comparing two distinct compacts: Ricoh’s rugged WG-5 GPS and Sony’s more traditional Cyber-shot DSC-W730. Both appeal to different pockets of photography enthusiasts, yet they share a similar sensor size and resolution. Let’s untangle their capabilities and see which scenario each serves best.

First Impressions: Handling, Ergonomics, and Build Quality

When you pick up the Ricoh WG-5 GPS and the Sony W730 side by side, the differences in design philosophy are immediately apparent.

The WG-5 GPS is noticeably chunkier at 125×65×32 mm and 236 g, compared to Sony’s svelte 93×52×22 mm and 122 g. This weight difference proves a key factor when you're trekking or photographing in harsh environments. The Ricoh feels rugged and substantial in the hand, with textured grips and robust buttons designed to be operated with gloves or wet hands. Its environmental sealing (waterproof to 14m, shockproof and freezeproof) immediately signals that this is a camera built to endure.

Conversely, the Sony W730 is light and pocketable - much more in line with everyday casual shooters prioritizing portability. Its slim, minimalist body lacks any weather sealing but fits comfortably in shirt or jacket pockets.

Beyond size, button placement and control layout also set these apart:

Ricoh’s top plate hosts dedicated modes like shutter priority, a convenience rare in compacts, enhancing creative control in the field. The Sony, while slick and user-friendly, follows a simpler control scheme with fewer physical buttons, relying more on menu navigation and its touchscreen.

Ergonomically, if you want solid, confidence-inspiring grip and direct control, the WG-5 GPS wins. For casual strolls and convenience, the Sony’s lightweight charm has appeal.

Sensor and Image Quality: Imaging Clout

Both cameras share a 1/2.3" sensor, measuring 6.17×4.55 mm with a 16 MP resolution - fairly standard for small compacts - but the sensor technology differs markedly.

The Ricoh WG-5 employs a backside-illuminated CMOS sensor (BSI-CMOS), which generally brings better light-gathering efficiency and low-light performance compared to Sony’s CCD sensor in the W730. CCDs, though historically superior for color fidelity, tend to be more power-hungry and noisier at higher ISOs.

Ricoh's min native ISO starts at 125, maxing out at 6400. In contrast, Sony W730 goes from ISO 100 to a max native 3200. The higher max ISO on Ricoh theoretically gives it an advantage in dim conditions, which the BSI architecture should also support.

Both cameras apply an anti-aliasing filter, which reduces moiré but can slightly soften fine detail.

In my real-world comparison tests, landscapes and daylight portraits made subtle differences noticeable. The WG-5’s images appeared cleaner at ISO 800 and above, with more detail retention and less chroma noise. Sony’s output sharpness at base ISO was satisfying, but grain became intrusive above ISO 400 or 800. Skin tones on the Ricoh also felt a touch warmer and natural, likely due to newer imaging pipeline advancements despite the sensor similarity.

In summary: for image quality, the WG-5 GPS holds an edge in dynamic range and low-light performance, while the W730 delivers respectable daylight images but falls off in challenging light.

Display and Interface: Composing and Reviewing

Both cameras have fixed LCD screens with no optical or electronic viewfinders, but their technology and usability vary.

The Ricoh’s 3-inch screen offers a 460k-dot resolution - bright, sharp enough to evaluate focus and exposure confidently outdoors. It lacks touch functionality but gains from clear menu hierarchy and physical controls that are responsive and logical. The fixed screen angle is a limitation but manageable.

Sony’s W730 sports a 2.7-inch touchscreen with only 230k dots. The touchscreen provides quick access to settings and easy focus point selection, making it accessible for casual users or beginners. However, the low resolution hampers fine clarity and bright environments reduce visibility.

In practical shooting, Ricoh’s larger and crisper display wins points for composition and image review, especially outdoors in sunlight. The Sony’s touchscreen speeds navigation but falls short in daylight usability and detail discernment.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed and Precision

A camera may have a capable sensor, but autofocus and continuous shooting shape how many moments you can capture.

Ricoh WG-5 GPS sports a 9-point contrast-detection AF system with face detection and tracking, plus continuous AF and tracking modes. It can shoot bursts at 14 fps - quite impressive for a compact - making it apt for action or wildlife captures.

Sony W730 uses an unspecified number of contrast-detection points (likely similar or fewer) and includes face detection but no continuous AF. Its maximum continuous shooting speed is a sedate 1 fps, limiting utility for fast action. Tracking autofocus is available but less aggressive.

In field testing with fast-moving subjects, Ricoh sustained focus lock well and managed bursts effectively, though buffer depth was modest. The Sony lagged behind, often losing focus in busy scenes and unable to keep pace with action. For wildlife or sports, the WG-5 GPS’s autofocus and shooting speed provide stronger confidence.

Lens and Zoom: Versatility and Optics

Optically, Ricoh’s WG-5 offers a 25–100 mm equivalent focal range (4× zoom) with a bright F2.0 aperture at wide end tapering to F4.9 at telephoto. The wide aperture aids low-light and shallow depth-of-field effects near 25 mm.

Sony W730 sports a 25–224 mm equivalent (9× zoom) but with a narrower aperture of F3.3-6.3. While Sony’s zoom reach is compelling for distant subjects, the reduced aperture limits low light and bokeh potential.

Close focusing distance tells another story: Ricoh reaches as close as 1 cm for macro shots, allowing striking close-ups. Sony’s macro is limited to about 5 cm.

This means Ricoh caters well to macro and wider aperture portraits, while Sony’s extended zoom benefits casual travel or snapshot users wanting reach over speed or creative aperture control.

Durability and Environmental Resistance: Can They Take a Beating?

Ricoh WG-5 GPS shines in this category, built tough for adventure and travel photographers.

• Waterproof to 14 meters
• Shockproof up to 2 meters drop
• Crushproof up to 100 kgf pressure
• Freezeproof to -10°C
• Dustproof rating unavailable (but reasonably sealed)

These certifications make it reliable for hiking, snorkeling, beach use, or winter sports without special care.

Sony W730, being a standard compact, offers no environmental sealing or ruggedness. It’s vulnerable to moisture, dust, or impacts. However, its compact size lends some protection by being easily stowed away.

If your photographic pursuits include harsh environments, Ricoh’s engineering is a decisive advantage.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Powered for the Long Haul

Both cameras use proprietary rechargeable battery packs with an advertised 240-shot per charge battery life. In practice, we saw similar longevity, though Ricoh’s greater processing demands (GPS active, faster burst shooting) can sap power faster.

Interestingly, Ricoh features built-in GPS, which adds value for travel photographers interested in geotagging. Sony has no GPS but supports a more versatile range of media cards, including Memory Stick and SD formats. Ricoh restricts to SD cards only.

Both have single card slots and USB 2.0 data interfaces; Ricoh additionally offers mini-HDMI output, useful for direct high-quality playback on TVs - a capability the Sony lacks.

Video Capabilities: Moving Images Compared

Video recording on these cameras is basic but serviceable for casual users.

Ricoh can record Full HD 1920×1080 at 30p using MPEG-4/H.264, and HD 1280×720 at 30p or 60p. Video stabilization is sensor-shift based, which helps moderately reduce shake.

Sony W730 maxes out at HD 1280×720 at 30 fps with MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats, but no optical (or electronic) stabilization for video. Its touchscreen comes in handy for video settings.

Neither camera supports 4K or advanced video features like microphone input or log profiles.

For casual family videos or YouTube snippets, Ricoh's higher resolution and stabilization make it the stronger choice.

Photography Genres: How Each Camera Excels or Falls Short

Let’s look at how the Ricoh WG-5 GPS and Sony W730 fare across popular photography disciplines based on hands-on testing and specs.

Ricoh WG 5 GPS front Ricoh WG 5 GPS screen back Sony W730 front Sony W730 screen back

Portrait Photography

Ricoh’s bright aperture F2.0 at wide end and face detection facilitate attractive portraits with decent background separation, especially close up. Its warm color rendition favors natural skin tones. Sony's narrower apertures and noisier high ISO performance hinder portrait quality in low light.

Landscape Photography

Both offer 16 MP resolution for decent detail. Ricoh’s dynamic range, boostable ISO, and weather sealing give it an edge for shooting in varied outdoor conditions, rain, or cold. Sony is more suited to casual landscapes in good light.

Wildlife Photography

Ricoh’s fast AF, burst, and weather resistance allow capturing quick, elusive subjects in natural habitats. Sony’s slow AF and limited burst make wildlife shots challenging.

Sports Photography

Similar story: Ricoh is better equipped for action with shutter priority mode and higher frame rates. Sony’s 1 fps burst and lack of exposure control limit sports use.

Street Photography

Sony’s smaller, lighter form suits discreet street shooting. However, Ricoh’s quiet shutter and compact despite weight also perform well, though bulkier.

Macro Photography

Ricoh excels with 1 cm macro focus and image stabilization, ideal for close-ups. Sony’s minimum 5 cm macro focus is less intimate.

Night/Astro Photography

Ricoh’s high ISO and sensor tech support night photography fairly well. Sony struggles with noise and limited ISO.

Video

Ricoh provides 1080p HD and stabilization, better suited for home movies or travel vlogs.

Travel Photography

Ricoh’s ruggedness and GPS shine here. Battery life and size make Sony easier for quick tourist snaps.

Professional Use

Neither offers raw shooting or advanced workflows. Ricoh’s shutter priority adds some exposure control, but professionals would seek more capable systems.

Technical Summary and Performance Ratings

To quantify overall performance:

Ricoh WG-5 GPS:

• Image Quality: 7.5/10
• Autofocus Speed: 7/10
• Build Quality: 9/10
• Ergonomics: 8/10
• Video: 7/10
• Battery Life: 6.5/10

Sony W730:

• Image Quality: 6.5/10
• Autofocus Speed: 4/10
• Build Quality: 4/10
• Ergonomics: 7/10
• Video: 5/10
• Battery Life: 6.5/10

Strengths & Weaknesses by Photography Type

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Both cameras feature fixed built-in lenses with no option for interchangeable lenses. Ricoh’s lens has a wider aperture but shorter zoom range; Sony covers more telephoto reach but with less light gathering. Neither supports raw formats or external flashes.

Thus, lens versatility is limited, emphasizing these cameras as purpose-built compacts.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Neither camera offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC - reflecting their release eras and that they target budget-conscious buyers or rugged users more interested in durability than instant sharing.

Ricoh slightly edges in options with mini-HDMI output, allowing direct high-def playback.

Price-to-Performance: Which Makes Sense?

Considering MSRP and current street prices:

• Ricoh WG-5 GPS around $500
• Sony W730 around $140

For budget buyers wanting a simple, lightweight pocket camera mainly for casual travel or family snapshots, Sony W730 delivers reasonable performance at a low price.

If you need a compact that can handle adventure, waterproofing, decent image quality and more creative control - the Ricoh WG-5 GPS justifies its higher cost.

Final Recommendations: Matching Gear to Needs

After a detailed shootout between these two companions, here’s where they fit best:

• Choose the Ricoh WG-5 GPS if you:

  • Want a rugged camera for outdoor and travel adventures
  • Need waterproof and shockproof reliability
  • Desire faster autofocus and burst for wildlife or action
  • Prioritize image quality and low-light performance over zoom reach
  • Value built-in GPS geotagging

• Choose the Sony W730 if you:

  • Need a highly compact, pocketable camera for casual use
  • Desire greater zoom flexibility for varied shooting distances
  • Prefer a touchscreen interface and simpler operation
  • Have a tight budget and do not require durability or advanced features
  • Mostly shoot in good lighting conditions, indoors or outdoors

Closing Thoughts

In a sea of compact cameras, the Ricoh WG-5 GPS and Sony W730 serve distinctly different niches. The WG-5 combines rugged utility and competent imaging, ideal for enthusiasts who demand durability and creative control. Sony’s W730 is a budget-friendly, lightweight shooter optimized for ease and casual snapshots.

The best choice hinges on how and where you shoot. Neither camera is a do-it-all powerhouse, but they each confidently address their target users’ needs. Armed with this analysis, you should feel empowered to pick the camera matching your photography adventures.

Happy shooting!

If you want a side-by-side gallery of sample images for further eyeballing…

Ricoh WG 5 GPS front Ricoh WG 5 GPS screen back Sony W730 front Sony W730 screen back