Ricoh WG-70 vs Sony NEX-3

In this article, we are looking at the Ricoh WG-70 vs Sony NEX-3, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Ricoh and Sony. The sensor resolution of the WG-70 (16MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is very close but the WG-70 (1/2.3") and NEX-3 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The WG-70 was revealed 9 years later than the NEX-3 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Ricoh WG-70 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple summation of how the WG-70 grades against the NEX-3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Ricoh WG-70 and Sony Alpha NEX-3. The full galleries are available at Ricoh WG-70 Gallery and Sony NEX-3 Gallery.

When you are going to carry your camera, you have to think about its weight and size. The Ricoh WG-70 comes with external measurements of 123mm x 62mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs) and the Sony NEX-3 has specifications of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

Check the Ricoh WG-70 vs Sony NEX-3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the WG-70 compared to the NEX-3.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the WG-70 and NEX-3 is 91 and 89 respectively.

Quite often, its difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizing only by viewing specifications. The photograph here should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-70 and NEX-3.

To sum up, the 2 cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The WG-70 having a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field more challenging and the Ricoh WG-70 will provide you with more detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos far more aggressively. The newer WG-70 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.