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Ricoh WG-50 vs Sony W290

Portability
91
Imaging
42
Features
39
Overall
40
Ricoh WG-50 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Ricoh WG-50 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Ricoh WG-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 193g - 123 x 62 x 30mm
  • Announced May 2017
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
  • Introduced February 2009
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Ricoh WG-50 vs Sony W290 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Ricoh WG-50 versus Sony W290, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Ricoh and Sony. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the WG-50 (16MP) and W290 (12MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The WG-50 was brought out 8 years later than the W290 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a detailed comparison, here is a concise overview of how the WG-50 scores vs the W290 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-50 over the Sony W290

 WG-50 W290 
IntroducedMay 2017February 2009Fresher by 101 months

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Ricoh WG-50

 W290 WG-50 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Ricoh WG-50 and Sony W290

 WG-50 W290 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Ricoh WG-50 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and size. The Ricoh WG-50 has physical dimensions of 123mm x 62mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs) and the Sony W290 has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Contrast the Ricoh WG-50 versus Sony W290 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the WG-50 versus the W290.

Ricoh WG-50 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the WG-50 and W290 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Ricoh WG-50 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh WG-50 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to picture the difference in sensor sizing purely by viewing specifications. The graphic below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the WG-50 and W290.

Plainly, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should count on the Ricoh WG-50 to provide you with extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The fresher WG-50 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Ricoh WG-50 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Ricoh WG-50 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh WG-50 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Ricoh WG-50
Portrait photography with Sony W290
42
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
provides face detect focusing
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
27
manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Ricoh WG-50 Street photography information
Sony W290 Street photography information
62
has image stabilization (Digital)
environment proofing
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Ricoh WG-50
Sports photography with Sony W290
49
has image stabilization (Digital)
good MP (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh WG-50 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W290 as a Travel photography camera
71
environment proofing
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
57
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh WG-50 Landscape photography factors
Sony W290 Landscape photography factors
48
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
good MP (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7")
no manual control
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
41
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not possible
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh WG-50 Vlogging details
Sony W290 Vlogging details
33
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
provides face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone port
28
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone support
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Ricoh WG-50 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh WG-50 and Sony W290
 Ricoh WG-50Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Name Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh WG-50 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2017-05-24 2009-02-17
Physical type 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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 8.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.50 m (at Auto ISO) 3.90 m
Flash modes On, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
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, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Yes (Wireless) None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 193 grams (0.43 pounds) 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 123 x 62 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, remote) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release $280 $230