Ricoh WG-70 vs Samsung WB1100F: A Deep Dive into Compact and Bridge Camera Performance for Every Photographer

Selecting the right camera is a decision that depends heavily on your photography style, environment, and expectations. Two cameras that often attract attention among enthusiasts looking for affordable versatile options are the Ricoh WG-70 and the Samsung WB1100F. Although these cameras hail from different categories - one being a rugged waterproof compact, the other a superzoom bridge camera - the decision between them is far from trivial. In this comprehensive comparison, I apply over 15 years of hands-on professional testing experience to analyze their real-world performance, technological strengths, and suitability for various photographic disciplines.

Let’s walk through all aspects - from sensor technology to ergonomics - so you can determine which camera fits your needs best.

First Impressions: Build, Size, and Handling

At first glance, the Ricoh WG-70 and Samsung WB1100F represent very different design philosophies:

• Ricoh WG-70: A compact, rugged, pocketable waterproof camera weighing a mere 193 grams with dimensions of 123x62x30mm.
• Samsung WB1100F: A heavier, more substantial bridge camera weighing 512 grams with dimensions of 125x87x96mm, adopting an SLR-like shape for better grip and control.

I found the WG-70 impressively compact, designed for durability with environmental sealing that makes it shockproof, crushproof, freezeproof, waterproof, and dustproof. It’s ideal for adventures in challenging settings - you can literally take it underwater without additional housing.

The WB1100F’s larger size and bulkier body provide extra stability, especially when zooming with its massive 35x lens, but it lacks any weather sealing. The ergonomics favor those used to traditional DSLRs or bridge cameras, with a more pronounced grip and larger controls. However, the WB1100F may feel unwieldy for quick street photography or travel when packing light.

The size and ergonomic differences are visually summarized below.

The WG-70’s control layout is minimalistic, catering mostly to casual users or those prioritizing simplicity in rugged environments. The lack of a viewfinder and touchscreen limits quick framing options under bright sunlight or complex shooting scenarios but keeps the body sealed.

Conversely, the WB1100F offers more traditional buttons and dials, including full shutter priority mode and manual focus. Yet, it lacks advanced interface features like touch control or an electronic viewfinder, which you might expect even from bridge cameras today.

Summary: The WG-70 shines for ultra-tough, grab-and-go shooting in difficult environments. The WB1100F suits users prioritizing zoom range and more conventional handling but can be cumbersome for extended handheld use.

Sensor and Image Quality: Small Sensors, Different Approaches

Both cameras utilize the same 1/2.3" sensor size (6.17x4.55mm) typical for compact superzoom designs, but the sensor technology and image processing architecture differ significantly.

• Ricoh WG-70 uses a 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor. Backside illumination enhances light-gathering capabilities for its size, giving better high ISO and dynamic range performance compared to older sensors.
• Samsung WB1100F deploys a 16MP CCD sensor. While CCDs traditionally offer good color fidelity, they tend to be less sensitive in low-light and have limited dynamic range compared to modern CMOS sensors.

What this means in practice:

During my tests under varied lighting, the WG-70 consistently delivered cleaner images at ISO1600 and above, important for night or indoor use. In contrast, WB1100F’s images showed more noise and less detail preservation under the same conditions, limiting its usability in low light.

Both cameras feature an anti-alias filter, which slightly softens fine details but helps prevent moiré in complex patterns.

In daylight, resolution and detail rendition from both sensors are comparable at base ISO. However, color accuracy was better on the WG-70 thanks to more modern processing, while the WB1100F struggled a bit with oversaturation in blues and reds.

Focus Systems: Speed and Accuracy Matter

Autofocus technology differentiates these two cameras significantly, shaping how each performs in fast-paced or precise situations.

• The Ricoh WG-70 has a contrast-detection AF system with 9 focus points and supports face detection and continuous AF during live view. It also offers AF tracking and center-area focus modes.
• In stark contrast, the Samsung WB1100F lacks continuous AF, face detection, or AF tracking entirely. It only supports manual and single AF modes with unspecified focus point coverage.

In real shooting scenarios, this manifests as:

• WG-70 consistently found focus quickly and accurately on subjects, including faces, making it more reliable for casual portraits, wildlife, or fast street scenes.
• WB1100F requires more deliberate focus confirmation and often struggled with moving subjects, which limits its effectiveness for sports or wildlife photography.

For macro work, WG-70 shines, boasting a minimum focusing distance of just 1cm, allowing incredibly close-up detail. WB1100F does not specify macro capabilities, generally producing less sharp results at close range.

Lens Performance and Zoom Capabilities

Lens specifications are critical in defining each camera’s versatility:

The WB1100F’s mammoth 35x zoom (25–875mm equivalent) makes it a powerhouse for distant subject capture - ideal for wildlife or sports where you cannot get physically close. The optical image stabilization effectively counteracts handshake, which is essential at long focal lengths.

The WG-70’s shorter zoom range limits framing options but works well for general snapshots, landscape, and macro photography. Its digital image stabilization compensates to some extent but cannot match optical stabilization’s effectiveness for telephoto shots.

Display and Viewfinder: How You Compose Matters

Neither camera has an electronic viewfinder, relying solely on rear LCDs for image composition and review.

• WG-70’s smaller 2.7" fixed LCD with 230k-dot resolution is quite basic and struggles under strong sunlight, necessitating careful positioning.
• WB1100F provides a larger 3" display with 460k-dot resolution, offering a sharper and more comfortable live view experience.

However, no touchscreen or articulated design exists on either camera - this reduces flexibility, especially for low-angle shots or video framing.

Video Capabilities: Snapshot Clips or Creative Tools?

Video capabilities are increasingly important, so how do these two stack up in motion capture?

• Ricoh WG-70 records Full HD 1080p at 30fps with H.264 encoding and offers slow-motion 720p up to 120fps.
• Samsung WB1100F is limited to 720p at 30fps, with no official info on codecs beyond “MPEG-4/H.264.”

Neither camera provides microphone or headphone ports, so audio recording is limited to onboard microphones without manual control.

In my practical tests, WG-70’s image stabilization helped produce smoother handheld footage than WB1100F, especially at medium zoom. The slow-motion mode on WG-70 is a fun creative addition absent on Samsung’s model.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Battery life frequently hampers compact and bridge cameras. Here’s the rundown:

WG-70’s official 300 shot rating is good for a compact, though still will require backup power for extended trips. WB1100F’s opaque battery life rating is a downside, but the larger body might house bigger batteries. Lack of USB and HDMI limits direct tethered usage, a shortcoming for workflow integration.

WiFi is present in both, but WG-70 features standard wireless protocols suitable for transferring images to mobile devices more flexibly, while WB1100F’s NFC is convenient for quick pairing with smartphones.

Weather Sealing and Durability

One of the most glaring differences is the ruggedness.

• Ricoh WG-70 is engineered for harsh environments: waterproof to depths, dustproof, shockproof to 2 meters, crushproof, and freezeproof. This makes it perfect for travel photographers, outdoor adventures, and underwater use without bulky cases.

• Samsung WB1100F has no weather sealing. Its substantial size and exposed controls make it vulnerable to moisture, dust, and impacts.

For anyone planning to shoot outdoors in uncertain or extreme conditions, the WG-70 is in a league of its own here.

How They Perform Across Photography Genres

To bring things into sharper focus, here is a practical assessment of how these two cameras fare in different photography disciplines, based on my extensive field tests.

Ricoh WG 70 front Ricoh WG 70 screen back Samsung WB1100F front Samsung WB1100F screen back

Portrait Photography

• WG-70: Good skin tone rendering thanks to modern sensor and face detection AF. Produces decent background separation at the widest aperture (f/3.5) but shallow depth of field is limited by sensor size.
• WB1100F: Skin tones can be oversaturated; no face detection or eye AF limits accuracy. Larger zoom can offer tighter framing but quality sometimes softens at telephoto.

Landscape Photography

• WG-70: Moderate resolution and decent dynamic range make it good for daylight landscapes. Waterproofing means shot options near water bodies without concern.
• WB1100F: Higher-resolution display aids composition, superzoom useful for distant landscapes but distortion at wide angle is noticeable.

Wildlife Photography

• WB1100F clearly leads due to its 35x zoom and optical stabilization. However, slower AF reduces keeper rate on moving animals.
• WG-70 more limited telephoto reach but fast AF and ruggedness can handle harsh fieldwork.

Sports Photography

• Neither camera excels due to limited burst rates and AF tracking. WG-70’s continuous AF and tracking give it a slight edge for casual sports shooters.

Street Photography

• Compactness and durability of WG-70 favor candid and urban exploration, discrete and quick to deploy.
• WB1100F’s size and slower AF make it less suitable for street - more cumbersome and noticeable.

Macro Photography

• WG-70’s ability to focus as close as 1cm wins hands down, delivering striking close-ups.
• WB1100F does not offer macro-specific focus capabilities.

Night and Astro

• WG-70’s BSI-CMOS sensor fares better in high ISO, but noise control is modest.
• WB1100F struggles with noise and lacks long exposure flexibility.

Video Capabilities

• WG-70 records in Full HD and slow motion with digital stabilization.
• WB1100F limited to 720p, without stabilization or advanced video features.

Travel Photography

• WG-70’s lightweight, waterproof nature, and good battery life make it more travel-friendly.
• WB1100F is bulky but offers more zoom flexibility - trade-offs depend on destination and style.

Professional Workflows

• Neither camera supports RAW, limiting post-processing control.
• No tethering or advanced tethering protocols reduce their appeal for pro studio or high-volume event work.

Technical Summary: Strengths and Limitations

Who Should Buy Which?

Here’s my authoritative recommendation based on what I’ve seen testing these cameras extensively:

Choose the Ricoh WG-70 if you:

• Need a rugged, waterproof camera for adventurous, outdoor, or travel photography.
• Prioritize reliability, durability, and good autofocus for snapshots in harsh conditions.
• Want excellent macro capabilities and decent image quality in a pocket-sized body.
• Desire better low light performance within a basic compact camera price bracket.
• Value Full HD video with slow-motion and image stabilization despite small sensor size.

Choose the Samsung WB1100F if you:

• Need an affordable superzoom camera with extremely long reach (25-875mm).
• Mostly shoot in good light and require framing distant subjects like wildlife or sports from a fixed position.
• Appreciate a larger screen and traditional bridge camera handling over compact ruggedness.
• Can compromise on autofocus speed and low light image quality for zoom versatility.
• Have a limited budget and require the widest possible optical zoom without interchangeable lenses.

Final Thoughts: Balancing Versatility, Durability, and Image Quality

Both the Ricoh WG-70 and Samsung WB1100F serve distinct photographic purposes, each excelling where their design intentions align. The WG-70’s rugged compactness and updated sensor make it highly reliable for active shooters wanting durable gear, while WB1100F’s mega zoom emphasizes reach and manual control at the expense of speed and robustness.

If your priority is one camera to accompany you hiking by the ocean, underwater, or mountain biking, WG-70 is simply unmatched in this category. Conversely, the WB1100F is a solid choice for budget-conscious photographers who want to experiment across a wide zoom range, primarily in controlled or everyday environments.

Neither is tailored for professional-level imaging workflows due to lack of RAW support and limited connectivity. However, each offers practical tools that novice to enthusiast photographers may appreciate depending on their style.

How I Tested

To ensure this comparison reflects true user experience:

• Both cameras were tested side-by-side across a variety of shooting conditions including outdoor daylight, low-light interiors, macro setups, and telephoto wildlife simulations.
• Image quality was assessed on color accuracy, sharpness, noise levels, and dynamic range using industry-standard test charts and real scenes.
• Autofocus responsiveness and accuracy were evaluated with moving subjects and face detection performance.
• Ergonomics and handling were judged on grip comfort, control feedback, and display usability.
• Video was recorded to test stabilization and image quality at different frame rates.
• Battery endurance tests followed standardized CIPA protocols under mixed usage.

By combining these methods with 15+ years of experience shooting and reviewing cameras, this article brings you a balanced, practical, and trustworthy analysis.

In conclusion

When deciding between the Ricoh WG-70 and Samsung WB1100F, consider your primary shooting needs:

• For adventure-ready, waterproof reliability with modest zoom and superior autofocus, pick Ricoh WG-70.
• For massive zoom reach in a bridge-style body for daylight shooting, opt for Samsung WB1100F.

Understanding their respective compromises and strengths will help you get the most from your investment.

If you want a rugged camera that just works anywhere, the Ricoh WG-70 is your clear winner. But if zoom range is king in your photography, the Samsung WB1100F still has a lot to offer, as long as you can accept some trade-offs in AF performance and durability.

I hope this analysis aids your buying decision so you make the best choice for your photography journey.

Happy shooting!