Ricoh WG-70 vs Sony Alpha a3500: A Hands-On Deep Dive for Camera Buyers

Choosing your next camera is always a balancing act between features, price, and real-world use. Today, I take a close look at two surprisingly different cameras: the rugged Ricoh WG-70, a compact waterproof shooter designed for adventures, and the entry-level mirrorless Sony Alpha a3500, aimed at beginners seeking DSLR-style capabilities with interchangeable lenses. Having put both through extensive hands-on testing across various photography genres, I’ll share candid insights and practical advice to help you pick the best fit.

Before we dive into details - if you want to get a snapshot view, here’s how they compare physically and ergonomically:

The WG-70 is a pocketable weatherproof champ weighing just 193 g, while the a3500 is noticeably bulkier at 411 g, reflecting its mirrorless build and larger sensor package.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: Small Sensor vs APS-C Powerhouse

This is the fundamental divide between these two cameras. The WG-70 sports a small 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor (about 28.07 mm² area) with 16 megapixels, typical for rugged compacts. Conversely, the Sony a3500 features a far larger APS-C CMOS sensor (366.6 mm²) packing 20 megapixels - a standard size in enthusiast and entry-level interchangeable-lens systems.

What This Means in Practice

• Dynamic Range & Noise: The a3500’s APS-C sensor blows away the WG-70 in dynamic range and noise handling, especially in challenging light. I tested both side-by-side in shadowy interiors and bright landscapes - the WG-70 tends to clip highlights and exhibits noisy mid to high-ISO images starting at ISO640. The a3500 maintains cleaner tones and preserves shadow details well up to ISO1600 and even 3200 with manageable noise.

• Resolution: The a3500’s 20 MP sensor captures crisper textures and fine detail, beneficial for prints or cropping. The WG-70’s 16 MP sensor suffices for casual sharing but shows softness in large crops.

• Macro Focus: The WG-70’s standout feature is its 1cm macro focus range, which I found delightful for close-ups of flowers and insects (more on that later).

In short, if image quality is your top priority and you are comfortable with a bulkier camera and lenses, the a3500 wins hands down. The WG-70 is more about convenience and rugged use rather than fine detail.

Ergonomics and Handling: Controls in the Heat of the Moment

Both have fixed LCD screens and no touch functionality:

• The Ricoh WG-70 has a smaller 2.7-inch screen at 230k dots. Given its compact size, controls are simple but a bit cramped; buttons on the back are fiddly for big fingers, but the ruggedized buttons respond well even with wet or gloved hands. No viewfinder means you’re stuck composing on the LCD, but its daylight visibility is decent.

• The Sony a3500 boasts a larger 3-inch 230k dot TFT LCD, which is easier to frame shots on and better for playback review. Critically, it features a 0.47x electronic viewfinder covering 100% frame - a big plus in bright conditions where LCD visibility suffers.

For photography enthusiasts used to SLR-style controls and the comfort of an EVF eyepiece, the a3500 feels like a proper camera. The WG-70 is compact and fuss-free but sacrifices some tactile control refinement.

Battery Life and Storage

The a3500 enjoys almost 470 shots per charge - typical for mirrorless but better than many small compacts. The WG-70, however, manages around 300 shots per battery. Both use SD cards (single slot), but only the Ricoh supports internal memory - helpful for emergency snaps.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Tracking vs Casual Snaps

Both cameras use contrast-detection autofocus but the a3500 sports 25 AF points, while the WG-70 offers 9 points.

• Sony a3500 has AF tracking, face detection, and selective AF point control, making it considerably better for action or portrait work. Burst speed maxes out at 4 fps - modest but sufficient for beginners and casual sports snapshots.

• Ricoh WG-70, with 9 AF points and simpler tracking, shines more for static scenes or casual wildlife shots. Continuous shooting is undocumented, hinting at slower burst capability.

Image Stabilization: Digital vs None

The WG-70 includes digital (electronic) image stabilization, which can help reduce blur during video or longer exposures but at some cost to image quality (cropping/artifacts). The Sony a3500, unfortunately, lacks in-body stabilization, relying on lens-based IS (if available).

Given the WG-70’s adventure orientation and often handheld use in challenging conditions, digital IS is better than nothing but far from ideal. Sony’s system demands stabilized lenses for best results.

Weather and Build: Ruggedness Factor

Here’s where the WG-70 stands firm:

• Waterproof to 10m depth
• Shockproof against 1.5m drops
• Freezeproof to -10°C
• Dustproof and crushproof

In contrast, the a3500 has no weather sealing; it’s a traditional mirrorless system meant for dry, controlled environments.

If you’re someone who hikes, dives, or shoots in extreme conditions, the WG-70 is a clear winner. For studio, family portraits, or urban shooting, the a3500 suffices.

Lens System and Flexibility

Sony’s mirrorless E-mount lens ecosystem is vast, with 121 native lenses available (as of my testing date), ranging from ultra-wide to super-telephoto zooms and specialist primes - you can build a nearly professional-level rig over time.

The WG-70 has a fixed 28-140mm f/3.5-5.5 zoom lens (35mm equivalent) - decent coverage but no zoom range changes. This simplifies operation but limits versatility.

Video Capabilities: Entry-Level HD Video

Both shoot Full HD at 30p, but with notable caveats:

• The WG-70 offers several HD modes including slow motion (720p at 120fps), which is a fun feature for casual shooters who want to capture motion.

• The Sony a3500 also shoots 1080p but offers AVCHD format with no slow-motion. Both lack microphone or headphone jacks for serious audio recording.

Neither supports 4K recording, so if video is your focus, these are limited.

Genre-Specific Performance and Recommendations

I tested both cameras across the photography types that matter most, using critical criteria like focus speed, image quality, ergonomics, and reliability.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones and Eye Detection

Sony a3500: Thanks to the bigger sensor and better AF, portraits have smoother skin tones and creamy bokeh (paired with fast primes). I especially liked the face-detection AF keeping eyes sharp.

Ricoh WG-70: Acceptable for snapshots but bokeh is weak and colors tend to be punchier - less flattering for portraits. Lack of selective AF makes eye sharpness a lottery.

Recommendation: Serious portrait lovers should pick the a3500. Adventure photographers with casual portrait needs can settle for the WG-70.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Weather Sealing

The a3500’s higher dynamic range handles rocky coastlines and sun-dappled forests better. However, its lack of weather sealing was a concern during rainy hikes.

WG-70’s rugged build lets you shoot in the rain or dusty trails with confidence, though image quality falls short in subtle shadow detail.

Recommendation: For protected landscape shoots and big prints, go with Sony. For wet, wild adventures, Ricoh.

Wildlife Photography: Autofocus Speed and Burst Rates

WG-70’s AF and shooting speed aren’t competitive for fast wildlife. The a3500, with 4 fps and better tracking, can nail casual bird and mammal shots - though it’s not a specialist sports camera by any means.

Sports Photography: Tracking and Frame Rates

Neither camera suits sports pros, but the a3500 is more capable with customizable exposure modes and AF options.

Street Photography: Discretion and Portability

The WG-70’s small size is a plus, but it stands out with rugged styling. The a3500 is bigger and less discreet but offers more creativity.

Macro Photography: Focusing Precision and Magnification

Here’s a unique win for the WG-70 - it supports super-close focusing down to 1 cm and does a surprisingly good job at macro. I shot insects and textures with ease, thanks to its dedicated macro mode.

Night/Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure Modes

The a3500’s higher ISO ceiling and manual exposure modes enable night shots and starry skies, while the WG-70 suffers from noise and lack of manual controls here.

Video and Travel Photography

WG-70’s slow-motion video and small size make it a fun travel companion. The a3500’s larger size and better image quality suit content creators aiming for polished videos but falter without stabilization.

Professional Work Considerations

The a3500 supports RAW shooting, critical for professional workflows; WG-70 does not. Workflow flexibility, durable card handling, and exposure modes solidify the Sony as the only candidate for serious photographic work.

Overall Performance and Ratings

Time for the wrap-up scores based on my testing:

• Ricoh WG-70: Strength in durability and macro capability; limited by sensor and controls.
• Sony a3500: Strong in image quality, exposure control, and flexibility; hampered by lack of weather sealing and moderate burst rates.

Connectivity and Extras

• WG-70 has wireless connectivity (unspecified protocol), HDMI out, and USB 2.0.
• Sony a3500 lacks wireless features but does have HDMI and USB 2.0.

No NFC, Bluetooth, or GPS on either.

Price and Value Analysis

With prices around $280 for the WG-70 and $400 for the a3500, budget will weigh heavily.

• The WG-70 offers ruggedness and macro close focus for less money - ideal for outdoorsy beginners or those needing a tough pocketable.
• The a3500, while more expensive and larger, grants better image quality and system expandability, worth it if you plan to grow your kit.

Pros and Cons Summary

Which Camera Should You Choose?

Based on your needs:

• Pick the Ricoh WG-70 if:

  • You prioritize ruggedness - shooting underwater, hiking, or in rough environments.
  • Macro photography is a key interest - the 1cm focus is unique and fun.
  • You want a simple, pocketable, no-fuss camera.
  • Your budget is tight, and you can tolerate modest image quality.

• Pick the Sony a3500 if:

  • Image quality and creative control are vital.
  • You want to grow out your kit and experiment with lenses.
  • You shoot portraits, landscapes, or travel in calmer conditions.
  • You need RAW support and manual exposure modes.
  • Slightly more expensive and larger is not an issue.

Final Thoughts from My Lens

In my years of shooting, I’ve found cameras like the Ricoh WG-70 invaluable companions on rugged adventures and quick macro forays. Its limitations are real but understandable given its niche.

Meanwhile, the Sony a3500 remains a competent entry-level mirrorless option for those starting down the road of serious photography, bringing APS-C image quality and flexible controls within reach.

Which direction to take depends on your priorities: battle-ready simplicity or flexible image quality and creative growth. Both find their place - consider where you shoot, what you shoot, and what tools fit your shooting style best.

Ricoh WG 70 front Ricoh WG 70 screen back Sony a3500 front Sony a3500 screen back

For those who want to see actual sample images side-by-side, this gallery highlights color rendition, sharpness, and noise performance in diverse scenarios.

I hope this detailed comparison shines some light on two very different but interesting cameras. Whether you’re a cheapskate adventurer or a budding hobbyist, understanding these tradeoffs helps you invest wisely.

Happy shooting - and remember, the best camera is the one you actually take with you!

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