Ricoh WG-6 vs Sony A550

Below, we are comparing the Ricoh WG-6 and Sony A550, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Ricoh and Sony. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the WG-6 (20MP) and A550 (14MP) and the WG-6 (1/2.3") and A550 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The WG-6 was brought out 8 years after the A550 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Ricoh WG-6 being a Compact camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving through a full comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the WG-6 scores against the A550 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Ricoh WG-6 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A550. The entire galleries are provided at Ricoh WG-6 Gallery and Sony A550 Gallery.

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Ricoh WG-6 has got outside measurements of 118mm x 66mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 246 grams (0.54 lbs) whilst the Sony A550 has measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Compare the Ricoh WG-6 and Sony A550 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the WG-6 compared to the A550.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the WG-6 and A550 is 89 and 63 respectively.

Generally, its tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizes simply by looking at a spec sheet. The image underneath will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the WG-6 and A550.

Clearly, each of the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The WG-6 featuring a tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more difficult and the Ricoh WG-6 will give you more detail having its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics much more aggressively. The younger WG-6 will have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.