Rugged Versatility Meets Ultracompact Convenience: Comparing the Ricoh WG-70 and Samsung ST700 Cameras

When it comes to choosing a compact camera, enthusiasts and pros alike often face the tough call: should you prioritize ruggedness and weather-sealing or ultra-portability and sleek design? Today, I’m putting two very different but similarly priced cameras head-to-head - the 2020 Ricoh WG-70, a robust waterproof compact, and the 2011 Samsung ST700, a slim ultracompact. Both hover around the $280 price point, but that’s where the similarities end.

Having tested countless cameras over fifteen years - from flagship DSLRs to entry-level compacts - I’ve learned you can’t judge a camera solely by specs on paper. Real-world performance, handling, and fit-for-purpose features matter more. In this comparison, I’ll dive deep into image quality, autofocus, ergonomics, build, and suitability across key photography genres. By the end, you’ll have a solid framework for picking the right compact companion to suit your shooting style, budget, and adventure needs.

A Tale of Two Bodies: Size, Handling and Ergonomics

Right out of the gate, these two couldn’t be more different in their physical design philosophy.

The Ricoh WG-70 is built like a tiny tank. It proudly touts its waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, crushproof credentials - geared for rugged outdoor usage. Its chunky dimensions (123 x 62 x 30 mm) and 193g weight reflect that. It’s got grippy rubberized surfaces and buttons spaced for gloves or wet fingers.

Contrast that with the Samsung ST700's svelte ultracompact form factor - 99 x 55 x 20 mm - featherweight and pocketable in a way the WG-70 just isn’t. It’s more of a point-and-shoot to slip in your jacket pocket for a stroll-in-the-city snap, not a go-anywhere adventure buddy.

These size and ergonomic differences are telling for your intended photography style. If you want rugged reliability for hiking, scuba, or unpredictable weather, the WG-70’s build wins easily. But for urban sightseeing or casual snaps, the ST700’s compactness is a boon.

The WG-70’s larger top deck hosts straightforward controls laid out in logical clusters, while the ST700 keeps things minimalistic but with a touchscreen interface that caters to casual users.

Design and Control Layout: Nuts and Bolts of Usability

Let’s pop the hood metaphorically and examine the control schemes and interfaces, which can make or break your shooting experience.

On top, the Ricoh WG-70 shines with tactile, well-sized buttons. There's no touchscreen, but everything is reachable with reasonable feel - important when you’re outdoors without the luxury of swipes. The dedicated front and back command dials are absent, but the standout is the rear fixed 2.7" non-touch display, adequate for framing but small by today's standards.

The Samsung ST700, meanwhile, sports a larger 3" touchscreen with the same 230k resolution. This lends itself nicely to intuitive focus point selection and menu navigation - ideal for beginners or those who just want to point and shoot without fuss. The downside is the absence of physical control buttons, which can make rapid adjustments cumbersome.

When I tested both cameras side by side, I appreciated the WG-70’s shockproof buttons during a cool rainy hike - a real confidence booster. On the other hand, the ST700’s touchscreen responsiveness was smooth indoors, though frustrating with wet hands or gloves.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Time for the nitty-gritty on image quality, where sensor tech, size, and resolution count for everything.

Both the Ricoh WG-70 and Samsung ST700 share a 1/2.3” sensor size, about 6.17 x 4.55 mm for the Ricoh and 6.16 x 4.62 mm for the Samsung. Each packs 16 megapixels and an anti-alias filter to reduce moiré. These specs typically point towards similar resolution ceilings roughly around 4608 x 3456 pixels.

However, the WG-70 sports a more modern BSI-CMOS sensor, where the ST700 employs a CCD sensor. This difference matters: BSI-CMOS sensors generally have better noise control and low-light performance due to more efficient light gathering.

In practice, the Ricoh’s images show truer skin tones and crisper details, especially in shadows and highlights. The Samsung tends to struggle with noise above ISO 400 and washes out some colors under mixed lighting - likely a product of its older sensor and lack of image stabilization.

One other notable point: The WG-70 supports exposure bracketing (AEB) and offers some white balance customization, which can help creative post-processing workflows. The ST700 doesn’t have those features.

Display and Viewfinder: Framing Your Shots

Neither camera offers a viewfinder, electronic or optical, so we’re fully reliant on their LCDs for framing. This can be a drawback in bright sunlight or fast-paced shooting situations.

The Ricoh WG-70 has a 2.7-inch fixed LCD with modest 230k dot resolution - not very sharp by today’s standards. It’s not touch-enabled, which limits quick focus changes but makes the interface more resistant to water and dust ingress. That tough design is a big plus for fieldwork.

The Samsung ST700 comes with a larger 3-inch touchscreen of equal resolution, which aids in navigating menus and live view focusing. Yet, in bright outdoor shoots, I found its glossiness introduced glare and reflections.

For those shooting outdoors often, the WG-70’s screen clarity under all weather conditions trumps the ST700, despite its smaller size.

Autofocus Capabilities: Hunting or Nailing the Shot

Autofocus can make or break your photo shoot, especially for wildlife or sports.

The Ricoh WG-70 employs a contrast-detection AF system with nine points and offers face detection plus AF tracking. It supports continuous AF modes and can lock focus fairly quickly when lighting is decent - a surprise hit for a camera in this category.

The Samsung ST700, released much earlier, has no continuous or face detection AF, relying on a single point contrast detection. Its AF is sluggish, prone to hunting in low light, and less reliable for moving subjects.

In real-world testing, the WG-70’s AF system comfortably handled macro close-ups (down to 1cm!) and modest action without frustration, while the ST700 often left me anticipating an “out of focus” miss.

Lens and Zoom: Flexibility on the Fly

Ricoh’s WG-70 sports a 28-140mm equivalent 5x zoom with f/3.5-5.5 max aperture. While not exceptionally fast, it’s versatile enough for landscapes, portraits, and wildlife at a distance.

Samsung’s ST700 specs here are ambiguous, listing no info on focal range or aperture, which is typical of ultracompacts targeting casual photographers. It likely offers a modest zoom range but nothing comparable.

The WG-70’s lens excels at macro photography with a minimum focusing distance of just 1cm, enabling intimate details with impressive sharpness. The Samsung lacks this specialty.

Image Stabilization: Keep it Steady

The Ricoh WG-70 includes digital image stabilization to reduce handshake blur, which helps in low-light or video shooting scenarios. It’s not the same as optical stabilization - so don’t expect miracles, but it’s a helpful assist for casual use.

In contrast, the Samsung ST700 has no image stabilization at all, which makes sharp shots trickier at slower shutter speeds, especially given its slower maximum shutter of 1/2000 sec.

Video Performance: What’s the Moving Picture Capability?

Video is no longer an afterthought, even in entry-level compacts.

The Ricoh WG-70 can record Full HD 1080p video at 30fps using H.264 compression with linear PCM audio - a respectable setup. It also supports 720p at higher frame rates (60p, 120p) for slow-motion effects. There are no microphone or headphone ports, but the waterproof housing makes it good for adventurous shooting.

The Samsung ST700 maxes out at 720p HD, again without audio input options, reflecting its vintage. The lack of image stabilization and lower resolution frame rates show in less usable footage, especially when handheld.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

The WG-70 uses a rechargeable battery pack rated for about 300 shots per charge. It features SD/SDHC/SDXC card slots for storage, USB 2.0, and HDMI output, plus built-in wireless (no Bluetooth or NFC though) for basic image transfer.

The ST700’s battery life data is not listed, nor does it offer any wireless connectivity, HDMI, or USB ports. Storage is also via SD cards but without newer format support.

The WG-70’s connectivity and battery setup better suit longer trips or outdoor sessions needing quick sharing or viewing.

Toughness and Environmental Sealing

If you put the Ricoh WG-70 and Samsung ST700 in a cage fight, the WG-70 wins hands down in ruggedness.

It’s waterproof to 10m, dustproof, shockproof (up to 1.5m drop), freezeproof (down to -10C), and crushproof (up to 100kgf). This camera is designed for real-world abuse in nature or extreme conditions without worries.

The Samsung ST700 offers no such protections and demands careful handling, making it better suited for safe indoor or urban use.

Real-World Genre Suitability and Performance

How do these technical specs and features translate across popular photography genres? Here’s where my hands-on experience really provides actionable insight.

Ricoh WG 70 front Ricoh WG 70 screen back Samsung ST700 front Samsung ST700 screen back

Raw Technical Scores and Ratings

Neither camera has been thoroughly tested by DxOMark or similar benchmarking sites, but based on sensor types and specs, we can reasonably estimate overall imaging potential.

The BSI-CMOS sensor of the Ricoh WG-70 gives it a slight edge in low light and dynamic range over the older Samsung CCD sensor. The Ricoh’s image stabilization and AF systems again push its score higher in all-around shooting.

Zooming Into Genre Specific Strengths

Let’s break down their performance across photography disciplines:

Notice how the WG-70 scores well in macro and outdoor genres, while the ST700 remains best for urban street snapshots and simple casual use.

Which One Should You Buy? Recommendations Based on Needs

Choose the Ricoh WG-70 if you:

• Need a truly rugged, waterproof, and shockproof camera for outdoor adventures or harsh environments.
• Value versatility - wide to telephoto zoom and exceptional macro focusing within one compact package.
• Want a modern BSI-CMOS sensor with better low-light and color accuracy.
• Shoot Full HD video and might utilize bracketing or custom white balance.
• Need a dependable backup camera that won’t flinch outdoors.

Go with the Samsung ST700 if you:

• Prioritize extreme compactness and portability for traveling light.
• Want a simple touchscreen interface for quick casual snaps.
• Are shooting primarily in safe, dry environments like city streets or family events.
• Demand only basic image quality at decent daylight without fuss.
• Are a photography beginner or cheapskate wanting something small for social media snaps.

Wrapping Up: The Real-World Verdict

Both the Ricoh WG-70 and Samsung ST700 carve out distinct niches. The WG-70 shines as a rugged, all-purpose, adventure-ready compact that punches above its weight in autofocus and macro capabilities for $280. Its compromises - such as the small, non-touch screen and moderate lens aperture - are acceptable tradeoffs for durability.

The Samsung ST700 feels like a time capsule from an earlier compact camera era - simple, small, with a touchscreen that’s ahead of its time in 2011 but outdated now. It remains suited to those who place portability above all else and won’t push their camera into challenging conditions.

For the modern photography enthusiast or pro seeking a second, tough pocket camera for travel, wildlife, or outdoor excursions, the Ricoh WG-70 is my practical, value-packed recommendation. For ultra-light strolling or casual snapshots with a touchscreen user interface, you might consider the ST700 - but know its limitations.

This side-by-side comparison, rooted in hands-on experience and technical depth, I hope has helped demystify these two very different compacts. The best camera is always the one that fits your personal shooting habits and environment. Choose smarter, shoot smarter!

Happy snapping!