Ricoh WG-50 vs Sony NEX-3: A Hands-On Comparison for Every Photographer’s Needs

In my 15+ years of testing and reviewing cameras, I’ve learned that no two cameras are created equal - and that the “best” camera depends heavily on what you shoot, where you shoot, and how you shoot. Today, I’m bringing you an in-depth, practical comparison between two very different cameras: the rugged Ricoh WG-50 and the entry-level mirrorless Sony NEX-3. Both have their unique appeals but serve distinctly different photography purposes.

I’ve spent considerable time in the field with both models, examining their physical attributes, handling, image quality, and overall utility in various disciplines from portrait and landscape to wildlife and travel. This article will deepen your understanding of these cameras through hands-on observations, technical evaluation, and candid appraisals - helping you decide which tool fits your creative goals and budget.

Getting a Feel: Size, Shape, and Controls in the Hand

Before I click a shutter, I always judge a camera by how it feels. Size, weight, control layout, and ergonomics affect not only comfort but also how quickly and intuitively I can operate the camera in real situations.

The Ricoh WG-50 is a compact, ultra-rugged waterproof camera designed for versatility in extreme conditions. It’s surprisingly pocketable given its tough build, weighing just 193 grams and measuring 123 x 62 x 30 mm. By contrast, the Sony NEX-3 is larger, at 117 x 62 x 33 mm and 297 grams, with a more “traditional” mirrorless rangefinder-shaped body.

The WG-50’s compactness gets a thumbs-up for travel, hiking, and underwater explorations where space and survivability matter most. However, because it’s meant for rugged use, Ricoh keeps controls minimal. You won’t find dedicated dials for aperture or shutter speed; instead, it’s a mostly point-and-shoot experience - great for casual shooters or adventurers needing a fail-safe camera, less so for manual control enthusiasts.

The Sony NEX-3, on the other hand, provides an ergonomically pleasing grip with more sophisticated controls sensibly placed along the top and rear. Its body emphasizes handling and manual control access for emerging photographers eager to learn settings like aperture priority or shutter priority. The NEX’s tilting 3” LCD further supports creative shooting angles, in contrast to the fixed, smaller screen on the WG-50.

To sum up: WG-50 scores highly as a compact, all-weather travel companion. NEX-3 targets entry-level enthusiasts looking for a more traditional camera experience with room to grow.

Sensor, Image Quality, and the Heart of the Camera

As they say, “the image is king.” So let’s dive into the sensors, image resolution, and quality potential of these two very different beasts.

The Ricoh WG-50 packs a 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm with 16 megapixels resolution. It’s typical for rugged compacts: small sensor, moderate resolution, apt for snapshots with good daylight detail but limited performance in challenging light or for low noise at high ISO. In contrast, the Sony NEX-3 houses an APS-C (23.4 x 15.6 mm) CMOS sensor - a whopping 365 mm² surface area - also at 14 MP, but with far larger pixels, superior color depth (22.1 bits as tested by DXO), and notably better dynamic range and ISO handling.

My field tests confirm these numbers translate into real-world differences clearly: the NEX-3’s images show better sharpness, lower noise above ISO 800, and richer tonality in shadows and highlights. WG-50’s smaller sensor often exhibits more noise and weaker detail retrieval in low light or high contrast scenes, though it does well in bright daylight conditions.

Additionally, the Ricoh’s anti-aliasing filter slightly softens images, curbing moiré but affecting micro-detail, whereas the Sony offers crisper output less prone to blur.

In terms of ISO sensitivity, the Sony’s max native ISO 12,800 allows much cleaner low-light shooting compared to the WG-50’s upper limit of 6,400, which also struggles to keep noise in check above 1,600.

So, bottom line: if photographic image quality, color fidelity, and low-light prowess are your priorities, the Sony NEX-3’s APS-C sensor will serve you far better than the WG-50’s compact sensor.

The Rear Screen and Live View Experience

When you’re framing your shots, reviewing your images, or navigating settings menus, the rear screen quality and interface matter immensely.

The Sony NEX-3 boasts a 3” tilting TFT Xtra Fine LCD offering approximately 920k dots resolution - bright, sharp, and detailed. It tilts upward and downward, facilitating low or high-angle shooting with ease, crucial for creative compositions on the go. Its live view is fast and responsive, ideal when manually focusing or composing videos.

Conversely, the Ricoh WG-50 sports a fixed 2.7” LCD screen at 230k dots. The resolution is quite basic by modern standards, resulting in a grainier, less detailed preview - fine for casual use but limiting if you want to critically judge focus or exposure out in the field.

For me, this difference is a notable one: when shooting scenes with subtle tonal gradations or needing precise framing (like macro or landscapes), the NEX-3’s screen offers a more satisfying user experience. The Ricoh’s screen suffices for quick snapshots or adventure shots where ruggedness trumps display excellence.

Autofocus Systems and Manual Handling Differences

One of the biggest challenges when comparing entry-level mirrorless versus compact rugged cameras is focusing versatility and control.

The Ricoh WG-50 uses a contrast-detection AF system with 9 focus points including face detection. It can continuously track subjects and offers reasonable performance for a compact with limited phase detect capabilities, but it’s relatively slow and can hesitate in low contrast or low light. It lacks advanced modes like animal eye detection or AF tracking seen in modern cameras.

The Sony NEX-3, meanwhile, employs a 25-point contrast-detection autofocus system with selective AF area modes and face detection. While not cutting-edge by today’s standards, it’s more responsive and accurate than the Ricoh in my testing, particularly when combined with Sony’s interchangeable lenses offering fast focusing motors.

However, neither camera boasts true on-sensor phase-detection autofocus (which arrived in later Sony models), so autofocus behavior is best described as competent but not lightning fast. For sports or wildlife photography where speed plus tracking are harsh requirements, both would be limited but the NEX-3 offers slightly more flexibility.

Lens Ecosystems: Fixed vs Interchangeable

Determined by the lens system, your camera’s creative reach and flexibility vary enormously.

The Ricoh WG-50 is a fixed-lens compact with a 28-140mm (equivalent) 5x zoom and a maximum aperture range of f/3.5-5.5. This zoom range covers wide-angle to short telephoto, suitable for casual landscapes, vacation snapshots, macro focus down to 1 cm, and moderate portraits. The built-in lens is weather-sealed and built rugged to match the body.

On the flip side, the Sony NEX-3 uses the Sony E-mount system, offering compatibility with more than 120 lenses spanning primes, zooms, macros, and specialty optics from Sony and third-party manufacturers. This system allows everything from ultra-wide landscapes to fast portraits with creamy bokeh, long telephoto wildlife lenses, and advanced macro glass.

In practical terms, this means the NEX-3 is a camera system built to grow with your skills and aspirations. You’re never locked into one lens’s limitations and can swap glass to suit your subjects. The Ricoh’s strength lies in convenience and durability, not lens versatility.

Burst, Shutter Speeds, and Performance in Action

Continuous shooting and shutter speed ranges can make or break your experience capturing fleeting moments - sports, wildlife, or kid’s birthday parties alike.

The WG-50 offers a max burst rate of 8 frames per second (fps), a respectable speed for a compact. Its shutter range spans from 4 seconds to 1/4000th of a second, allowing some creative long exposures and decent action freezes. However, the camera lacks advanced exposure modes like aperture priority or shutter priority, limiting manual creativity.

The NEX-3 shoots at 7 fps continuous, slightly slower but paired with aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual exposure modes. It supports ISO up to 12,800 (native), enabling better low-light action capture. Its shutter speed range is similar (30 sec to 1/4000 sec), but the availability of manual controls means you have more creative freedom with exposure.

For fast sports or varied lighting, the Sony’s manual shooting modes and slightly better continuous rates offer an edge, though neither would be my first choice for high-speed pro sports.

Video Capabilities: What Can These Cameras Do?

Video is an increasingly important tool for photographers, and understanding capabilities and limitations is key.

Ricoh WG-50 shoots Full HD 1920x1080 at 30p with MPEG-4/H.264 compression and PCM audio. It includes digital stabilization which reduces shake but at some cropping cost. The camera lacks microphone input or advanced video features like 4K or slow motion.

The Sony NEX-3 offers HD video at 1280x720 at 30p in MPEG-4 format, with no stabilization and no microphone/headphone ports. While the resolution is lower, the manual focus capabilities and lens assortment allow for more creative control in video shooting.

Neither model is designed primarily as a video camera. If video is a priority, especially 4K or professional workflows, neither will satisfy advanced videographers. For casual shooting, WG-50 offers higher resolution and smoother image stabilization, while NEX-3 gives creative lens control.

Weather Sealing, Durability, and Real-World Use Conditions

If you’re an adventure photographer or often shoot in rugged environments, durability can be a deal breaker.

The Ricoh WG-50 is built tough: fully waterproof (up to 14m), dustproof, shockproof (2m drops), and freezeproof to -10°C. This makes it an ideal companion for snorkeling, hiking in rain, or harsh winter conditions. Its shock resistance and waterproofing are major selling points for explorers or those prioritizing reliability in tough conditions.

The Sony NEX-3 lacks any weather sealing and requires careful handling, especially outdoors. It’s not a rugged travel camera but excels in calmer or controlled environments like studios, urban streets, or travel where protection is managed.

I’ve tested the WG-50 on wet hikes and near water, confident it would keep shooting even soaked or dropped accidentally, a reliability factor you won’t easily find in entry-level mirrorless cameras even today.

Battery Life and Storage Options

Battery performance isn’t glamorous but critically impacts shooting opportunities during travel or long sessions.

WG-50 uses a D-LI92 battery rated for approximately 300 shots per charge - a decent figure given it’s aimed at casual use, but I found power depletes faster when using features like timelapse or flash continuously.

Sony NEX-3’s NPFW50 battery claims around 330 shots, with slightly better endurance in practice, especially if you avoid using live view and LCD excessively. Mirrorless cameras tend to draw power faster due to electronic viewfinders or larger screens but the NEX-3 is efficient for its era.

Both cameras store images on SD cards, with the NEX also compatible with Memory Stick Pro Duo formats - important for users with legacy gear.

Connectivity: Sharing and Workflow Integration

In today’s connected world, wireless features can enhance your workflow and sharing options.

The Ricoh WG-50 supports Wi-Fi wireless connectivity, allowing quick transfer to smartphones via Ricoh’s app - a neat feature for on-the-go sharing. It also has USB 2.0 and HDMI ports for wired connections.

The Sony NEX-3 does not have built-in Wi-Fi but supports Eye-Fi cards (a now somewhat obsolete wireless SD card technology) to upload photos wirelessly. It includes USB 2.0 and HDMI as well.

Neither offers Bluetooth or modern NFC sharing; considering their age, this is expected. The WG-50's built-in Wi-Fi is a practical advantage for instant sharing if you prioritize social media use during travel.

Shooting Across Genres: Who Excels Where?

After analyzing core specs and testing performance, we can look at real-world application across photography types.

Ricoh WG 50 front Ricoh WG 50 screen back Sony NEX 3 front Sony NEX 3 screen back

Portrait Photography

Sony's APS-C sensor combined with interchangeable fast lenses delivers natural skin tones, pleasing bokeh, and reliable face detection autofocus. This makes it suitable for family, friends, or even semi-professional portraits.

Ricoh’s WG-50 can produce decent snapshots with face detection but struggles with shallow depth of field and manual focus is limited. Bokeh effects are minimal due to fixed lens aperture.

Landscape Photography

The NEX-3’s larger sensor shines in dynamic range and detail capture, supporting rich skies and shadow details in nature shots. Interchangeable wide-angle lenses further this strength.

WG-50’s waterproof ruggedness wins on adventure landscapes where rough environments or wet conditions prevail, but image quality is compromised in demanding light circumstances.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Neither camera is optimized here. WG-50 offers decent burst speed but slower AF tracking. Sony has faster AF and manual lens options, but no real-time tracking.

Street and Travel Photography

WG-50 is rugged, compact, and inconspicuous, perfect for street shooters wary of gear damage. Sony is larger but offers more creative control and better images in urban low light.

Macro Photography

WG-50 macro focus to 1cm depth provides fun close-up adventures especially in field conditions.

NEX-3 with appropriate macro lens can deliver superior sharpness and background blur.

Night and Astro Photography

Sony’s higher ISO capability and longer shutter speeds benefit night shooting but neither camera has bulb modes or specialized astro features.

WG-50 enables simple long exposure (max 4 sec), but noise is significant.

Video

WG-50 Full HD stabilized video vs Sony’s lower resolution but more creative lens options.

Professional Usage

Sony’s RAW support and manual controls surpass WG-50’s JPEG-only, point-and-shoot operation. However, WG-50’s water and shockproof body offer peace of mind in extreme jobs.

Scoring the Cameras in Overall and Genre-Specific Performance

Based on my hands-on tests and technical insights, here’s a breakdown:

Final Thoughts: Who Should Buy Which Camera?

After rigorously testing and comparing, I offer these recommendations based on typical user profiles.

Choose the Ricoh WG-50 if you:

• Need a tough, waterproof, and shockproof camera for adventure, hiking, diving, or outdoor sports.
• Are a casual shooter or traveler prioritizing durability and simplicity over professional image quality.
• Shoot primarily in daylight or good lighting and want straightforward operation without fussing over settings.
• Want a reliable wearable backup camera for rugged environments where risking a mirrorless would be unwise.
• Appreciate features like in-camera timelapse and easy Wi-Fi sharing on the fly.

Choose the Sony NEX-3 if you:

• Demand superior image quality and greater creative control with interchangeable lenses.
• Are an aspiring photographer learning manual exposure and focusing techniques.
• Shoot portraits, landscapes, and street photography where sensor size impacts final results significantly.
• Value the ability to grow your gear ecosystem with lenses and accessories.
• Require RAW file support and professional workflow integration.

My Closing Advice

For anyone considering these cameras, think carefully about your primary usage. The Ricoh WG-50 is a dedicated rugged compact that serves as a trustworthy adventure buddy and casual point-and-shoot. The Sony NEX-3 marks a strong starting point for photographers wanting hands-on control and excellent image quality within a modest budget.

While the NEX-3’s older generation sensor and autofocus lag behind modern mirrorless, its APS-C sensor still outperforms compacts like the WG-50 in every image quality respect. Conversely, the WG-50’s ruggedness remains unmatched in this class.

Neither camera would be my choice for professional studio work, high-speed sports, or advanced video, but each is a fine tool within its purpose niche.

If budget permits and you want an all-rounder system, the NEX-3 with lenses will offer broader creative latitude and image quality rewards. For travelers, hikers, or parents wanting a durable, no-nonsense camera that you don’t have to handle with kid gloves, the Ricoh WG-50 is an honest workhorse.

Thank you for reading my comparison. If you have questions or want to share your experiences with either camera, I encourage you to join the discussion below. Photography is as much about community knowledge as gear specs, and I’m always eager to hear how you put cameras to work in your creative journey.

Keep exploring and shooting with passion!

– A seasoned photography equipment tester