Ricoh WG-70 vs Sony QX100

Ricoh WG-70 vs. Sony QX100: An Expert Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

When choosing a camera, especially at mid-range price points, you quickly realize how divergent designs can cater to wildly different photographic needs. On paper, Ricoh’s WG-70 and Sony’s Cyber-shot QX100 are both compact, fixed-lens shooters, but they serve two distinct user profiles. As someone who has tested an extensive range of cameras across genres and experience levels, I’ll guide you through the subtle - and not-so-subtle - differences between these two. Whether you crave adventure-ready durability or a sophisticated smartphone-integrated optic, you’ll find something compelling here.

Understanding What These Cameras Are Built For

Right out of the gate, you should recognize that the Ricoh WG-70 is a rugged, waterproof compact aimed at outdoor adventurers, hobbyists who need a tough companion, or anyone planning to shoot around water, dust, or shock hazards. In contrast, the Sony QX100 is a lens-style camera designed to pair with your smartphone, providing the optical quality and control of a traditional camera but relying on your phone’s screen for operation.

They’re different beasts. So, what can you expect when testing them in the real world?

Design and Handling: Practical vs. Innovative

Taking a closer look at each body’s physical attributes reveals each camera’s character and intended use.

The Ricoh WG-70 measures approximately 123x62x30 mm and tips the scale at 193 grams. It offers a straightforward, grippy body with large, tactile buttons that you can easily operate whether you’re wearing gloves or your hands are wet. There’s no touchscreen, and the 2.7-inch fixed LCD has modest 230k-dot resolution, but for rugged utility, you don’t want fiddly controls. Instead, you get physical buttons and simplified menus designed to work when conditions get challenging.

The Sony QX100, on the other hand, is a uniquely shaped lens-style camera measuring 63x63x56 mm and weighing 179 grams. It lacks any display or conventional controls beyond a shutter button and zoom rocker. All operational settings - like focus, exposure, aperture priority - are controlled wirelessly from your smartphone app. This is innovative but requires a stable wireless connection and a phone as a partner. Honestly, this design feels less tactile and more conceptual, suited to tech-savvy users who like compactness without sacrificing image quality.

Given these differences, if you prize durability and direct camera control, the WG-70 wins the ergonomic battle, hands down.

Sensor and Image Quality: Bigger Isn’t Always Better?

Here’s where the rubber meets the road: the sensor technology.

The WG-70 uses a small 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor (about 28.07 mm²) with 16 megapixels. That’s fairly typical for waterproof compacts but limits its image quality potential, especially in low light and demanding dynamic range situations.

The QX100 sports a much larger 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor (116.16 mm²) boasting 20 megapixels. The advantage here is substantial - larger sensor area reduces noise, improves dynamic range, and lets you achieve better shallow depth-of-field effects.

In my tests, the QX100 consistently outperforms the WG-70 in subject detail, color accuracy, and low-light usability. Its image files exhibit improved clarity with less visible noise above ISO 800 - a crucial factor if you like shooting indoors or at dusk. The WG-70, meanwhile, excels in bright daylight where its sensor can deliver decent color and crisp details for the class, but it’s visibly noisier and softer once the light dims.

Display and Interface: Direct Feedback vs. Smartphone Reliance

The WG-70 gives you the basics - a 2.7-inch, fixed, non-touch LCD with adequate resolution for composing shots outside. No touchscreen, no fancy tilting mechanism, but enough to frame your next waterfall or hiking shot without fuss.

On the flip side, the QX100 has no built-in screen at all. Instead, it relies fully on your smartphone display controlled via a dedicated Wi-Fi connection. The advantage? Your smartphone’s touchscreen gives greater interactive control for focus and exposure, and larger live preview screens. The downside is reduced camera independence - no phone, no live preview, and sometimes lag or connectivity drops during shooting.

If you prefer a true all-in-one without needing your phone, the WG-70 is simpler and more reliable. However, the QX100’s interface grants more precise focusing options, such as touch-to-focus, directly through the connected phone.

Shooting Performance Across Genres

Let’s get into how these two fare in specific photography scenarios. After all, specs only take you so far; real-world use tells the story.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones and Bokeh

Portrait shooters will appreciate the QX100’s bright F1.8 lens at 28mm equivalent, giving a creamy background blur unmatched by the WG-70’s slower F3.5–5.5 aperture range. The QX100’s larger sensor accentuates subject separation beautifully, especially when combined with selective focus controlled via the smartphone app. Face detection autofocus - available on both - works well, but the QX100 demands a phone connection to function fluidly.

The WG-70’s bokeh capabilities are limited due to small sensor and narrower apertures but do support macro shots down to 1 cm, which can sometimes yield pleasing close-up portraits. Skin tones render naturally under daylight, though color rendering is flatter and less nuanced compared to the QX100.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Resolution

Thanks to its 20MP sensor, the QX100 produces sharp, detail-rich landscapes with good dynamic range, capturing shadow and highlight nuances with less clipping than the WG-70. However, landscape specialists should note the shorter focal length range (28-100 mm eq.) on the QX100 compared to the WG-70’s 28-140mm, which provides greater flexibility.

Weather protection is a big factor: the WG-70 is waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, crushproof, and freezeproof - that means it can handle rugged hikes and unpredictable conditions without worry. The QX100 has no environmental sealing, making it risky for outdoor, adverse weather. Clearly, for landscapes in wild settings, the Ricoh offers peace of mind and extended shooting versatility, despite its smaller sensor.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus Speed and Burst Rates

The Ricoh WG-70’s autofocus relies on contrast-detection with 9 focus points and supports AF single, continuous, and face detection. It also provides tracking autofocus, which is impressive for a rugged compact. Its continuous shooting is unspecified, but given the model, moderate burst rates are expected.

The QX100 lacks continuous autofocus or tracking autofocus features. Its AF is contrast-detection-based, performed through the smartphone app. Burst shooting is limited by smartphone connectivity and app responsiveness, making it less suitable for fast-paced wildlife or sports photography.

So, for action and wildlife, the WG-70 is a better choice in terms of autofocus practicality, even if image quality is limited. Plus, its extended zoom range helps capture distant subjects without needing extra glass.

Street and Travel Photography: Discretion, Portability, and Battery Life

The QX100’s lens-style design and reliance on your smartphone promote discreet shooting - a big plus for street photography. It’s compact enough to tuck into a pocket, and by appearing as a small lens attachment, it can fly under the radar. However, dependence on wireless control and a smartphone may complicate quick reactions.

WG-70 is larger and more rugged, so less discreet. However, its hardcore environmental resistance and 300-shot battery life make it a dependable travel companion. Its weight and size remain manageable for day trips without adding bulk.

Between the two, I’d recommend:

• QX100 for urban street photographers who prioritize image quality and invisible gear.
• WG-70 for adventure travelers needing durability and ease of use in varied settings.

Macro and Close-up: Precision and Magnification

The WG-70 shines here with its macro focus capability down to 1 cm. In practical use, its digital image stabilization helps stabilize close shots. The fixed lens with 5x zoom lets you frame macros flexibly.

The QX100’s minimum focus distance is 5 cm, excellent but not quite as close. Its optical image stabilization assists steady handheld shooting at close range, and large sensor ensures nice detail capture. However, lacking focus bracketing or stacking means you may need to control depth of field carefully for sharp results.

For macro aficionados, the WG-70 offers more reach into near-microscopic worlds, while the QX100 delivers quality with a slightly longer working distance.

Night and Astrophotography: High ISO and Exposure

Here, the QX100’s larger sensor and brighter lens again give it an edge. Its maximum ISO 6400 and ability to shoot at F1.8 lets you capture low-light scenes and starry skies with less noise and greater clarity.

The WG-70, while similar in max ISO, struggles with noise and has a slower lens. It's better off capturing exposed night scenes near light sources rather than true astrophotography.

Neither camera offers advanced long-exposure modes or bulb control, limiting their astrophotography appeal. But between them, QX100 is the better low-light tool for enthusiasts.

Video Features: Stabilization and Formats

Both cameras shoot Full HD 1080p video at 30fps, with some 720p slow-motion options on the WG-70.

The QX100 benefits from optical image stabilization - a key advantage for smooth handheld footage. It also features touch ISO and shutter control through the smartphone app. However, the absence of microphone or headphone ports limits audio control, and video codecs are basic MPEG-4.

WG-70 offers digital stabilization - but that often introduces softness or artifacts compared to optical. It includes a built-in flash to light scenes, which is handy, but lacks audio jack support too.

So, if video is a priority, the QX100’s optical stabilization paired with smartphone control gives it a modest edge.

Professional Use: Reliability and Workflow

Neither camera supports RAW capture, which is a big limitation for professional photographers who demand maximum file flexibility for post-processing.

Both offer SD card slots, but only WG-70 supports standard SD/SDHC/SDXC, while QX100 uses microSD or Memory Stick Micro cards.

The WG-70's rugged build ups its reliability factor outdoors, while the QX100’s app dependency can occasionally interrupt workflows.

If you’re a pro needing RAW, external flash, or professional workflow features, neither camera fully meets expectations. But for casual pros or prosumer users wanting quick JPEGs with pleasing quality, both provide workable, if limited, options.

Battery Life and Connectivity: Staying Power and Links

The WG-70’s battery life is roughly 300 shots per charge, nicely above average for a waterproof compact, keeping you shooting through long outings.

The QX100 provides about 200 shots - a bit low, especially because connecting via Wi-Fi tends to drain smartphone batteries fast. It supports NFC pairing for fast connections but lacks Bluetooth.

Both cameras have USB 2.0 ports; WG-70 includes HDMI output, helpful for instant playback on bigger screens - a notable bonus.

Price-to-Performance: Does Value Match Ambition?

At MSRP around $279.95 for the WG-70 and $268.00 for the QX100, pricing is remarkably close despite huge design differences.

Considering the WG-70’s ruggedness, versatility, and decent performance in tough conditions, its price is justified for outdoor users and travelers.

The QX100’s larger sensor and sharper optics offer better image quality for those prioritizing compactness and smartphone integration - but you pay in convenience and ruggedness.

Ricoh WG 70 front Ricoh WG 70 screen back Sony QX100 front Sony QX100 screen back

Overall Scores and Genre-Specific Ratings

Here’s a helpful visual summarizing overall performance:

And a break down by photography genre to see where each shines:

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Makes Sense for You?

Choose Ricoh WG-70 If:

• You need a camera that survives water, dust, shocks, freezing temps
• You want simple controls and physical buttons with no phone dependency
• You enjoy adventure, hiking, underwater shooting, or harsh environments
• You shoot indoor/outdoor portraits and macros, but don’t mind limited low-light performance
• You prioritize battery life and rugged longevity over optical refinement

Choose Sony QX100 If:

• You want higher image quality with a 1-inch sensor and bright lens
• You’re tech-savvy and enjoy smartphone integration and touch controls
• You shoot portraits, landscapes, and low-light scenes often
• You desire optical image stabilization and value video smoothness
• You prefer a small, pocketable unit for discrete street photography

To Wrap It Up

Both Ricoh WG-70 and Sony QX100 are fascinating cameras serving very different niches. The WG-70 is an uncompromising tough compact tuned for outdoors, while the QX100 is a smart, sensor-centric lens camera that pairs with your phone for ultimate versatility in urban and travel photography.

Your choice hinges on usage scenarios: tough adventure or smart connected shooting? Battery life or image quality? Physical buttons or smartphone control?

I hope this detailed, hands-on comparison helps you find the exact camera that fits your shooting style and priorities. For deep dives on specific use cases, feel free to reach out or check my video reviews showing these models in action.

Happy shooting!