Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony A7S II: An Expert's Hands-On Comparison Tailored for Photographers

Choosing between two vastly different cameras like the Ricoh WG-M1 and the Sony A7S II might seem like comparing apples and oranges - and in many ways, it is. Yet, as someone who’s tested hundreds (if not thousands) of cameras over 15 years, I find these comparisons fascinating because they reveal how diverse photographic tools meet distinct needs. I’ve taken both these models for extensive spins, indoors, outdoors, and under challenging conditions, and I’m excited to share insights that go far beyond the spec sheet. If you’re hunting for a camera and wondering how these two stack up in real life, you’ve landed at the right article.

Size and Handling: Compact Durability Meets Pro Mirrorless Ergonomics

Let’s start where it physically matters - how the cameras feel in your hands, their footprint, and how their build supports your photographic style.

The Ricoh WG-M1 bursts onto the scene as a rugged, tiny waterproof action cam weighing just 190 grams and squeezed into a very compact body of 66x43x89 mm. That’s almost pocket-sized and easy to strap on or stash - ideal for adventurous photographers who don't want anything bulky slowing them down. Its compactness means it’s incredibly portable and discrete, especially when shooting in aquatic or shock-prone environments. But ergonomics-wise, it’s minimal - there are no fancy grips or customizable buttons because it’s designed to survive more than to excel in manual control.

On the other hand, the Sony A7S II is a substantial SLR-style mirrorless camera, tipping the scales at 627 grams and sized at 127x96x60 mm. While not exactly heavy, it offers classic DSLR-like ergonomics with a pronounced grip and button layout optimized for quick adjustments. This is a camera built for sustained use in professional settings, balanced well in hand for extended shooting sessions. If you prefer a camera you can hold confidently during long shoots or while tracking fast-moving subjects, the A7S II has a major advantage here.

Both cameras have some form of environmental sealing, but only the WG-M1 boasts true waterproof capabilities, rated for dives without additional housing. This is a fundamental ergonomic and use-case difference you can’t overlook.

Design and Top Controls: Navigating Simplicity vs Control

Looking down at their top plates shows the priorities each brand baked into design.

The WG-M1's controls are stripped down to a few buttons: record, power, and mode selection - basic but intense. The lack of dials or custom controls means most settings are automatic or fixed, suited to action and quick point-and-shoot shots. While simple, it can feel limiting if you’re accustomed to manipulating exposure or focus manually.

Contrast this with the Sony A7S II, whose top layout reveals a refined arrangement of dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, ISO, and a mode dial for aperture priority, shutter priority, manual modes, and more. This hands-on control panel puts the power in your fingers quickly, a must-have for professional and enthusiast shooters who anticipate changing shooting conditions on the fly.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: Tiny CMOS vs Full-Frame Excellence

Here’s where the cameras part ways in sensor technology and performance with eye-opening disparity.

Ricoh WG-M1 sports a 1/2.3” CMOS sensor measuring just 6.17 x 4.55 mm with a 14MP resolution. This sensor size is typical in compact and action cameras but inherently limited by its physical dimensions - small pixels, less light-gathering capability, and narrower dynamic range. The maximum ISO tops out at 800 and there's no RAW support to squeeze maximum quality or latitude out of your shots.

Meanwhile, the Sony A7S II shines as a full-frame CMOS sensor (35.6 x 23.8 mm), offering a modest 12MP resolution but optimized for exceptional noise control and dynamic range. DxOMark’s scoring of 85 overall reflects its prowess, with a color depth of 23.6 bits and an outstanding dynamic range over 13 stops, plus extremely high low-light ISO performance (native ISO up to 102,400, boosted to 409,600). The A7S II is a master in challenging light, producing clean images with subtle gradations and detail even when shooting in near-darkness.

If image quality matters most to you - whether for large prints, professional-grade work, or low-light versatility - the Sony’s sensor is in a league of its own. The Ricoh’s sensor suffices for casual and action snapshots but won’t beat a full-frame in tonal richness and fine details.

Back Screen and User Interface: Small Window vs Articulated Control

Viewing and controlling the camera is a key daily experience. Let’s dive into their screens and interfaces.

The WG-M1 sports a tiny fixed 1.5-inch LCD with a meager 115k-dot resolution. It's simple and barely sufficient for framing and reviewing action shots but feels cramped and tough to use in bright sunlight or detailed composition photography.

The A7S II, conversely, features a bright, articulating 3-inch LCD touchscreen (though no touch input) with 1.23 million dots of resolution. The tilt mechanism enables flexible high and low-angle viewing - a tremendous advantage for video shooters and creative compositions. The electronic viewfinder - absent in the WG-M1 - is a high-resolution OLED with 2.35 million dots, offering 100% coverage and 0.78x magnification. This makes eye-level shooting practical, precise, and comfortable.

For photographers used to framing through a large viewfinder or a bright, high-res display, the Sony’s interface is a breath of fresh air. The Ricoh’s display is strictly functional, suitable for its action-oriented, quick-use ethos.

Autofocus and Performance: Speed, Precision, and Tracking

How do these cameras perform when the action starts? This is one of the most critical real-world factors for many photographers.

Ricoh WG-M1 uses contrast-detection autofocus with no phase detection points, face detection, or tracking. It’s essentially a fixed-lens single-zone system relying heavily on good light and subject contrast. There’s no continuous autofocus or eye detection, which means tracking moving subjects is tricky, especially underwater or in dynamic sports.

On the flip side, the Sony A7S II offers an advanced hybrid AF system with 169 focus points covering a broad part of the frame. It supports continuous autofocus, face detection, and tracking, giving you confidence when following fast-moving subjects like athletes or wildlife. Despite the comparatively modest resolution sensor, its phase-detection-less but sophisticated contrast detection with predictive tracking works well in varied lighting. In my field tests tracking runners and birds, the Sony proved consistently reliable.

This difference is also reflected in burst shooting: WG-M1 offers 10fps but with fixed focus and limited buffer; the A7S II yields 5fps with AF tracking intact - slower in numbers but more practical.

Lens Ecosystem: Fixed Simplicity vs Vast Flexibility

If you’re serious about photography, your camera’s lens system is paramount.

The WG-M1 has a fixed, waterproof lens with a 1x focal length multiplier (equivalent to its native zoom) and a bright f/2.8 aperture. This is convenient for underwater or rugged conditions, but you’re locked into one lens with no possibility of expanding to telephoto, wide-angle, or prime lenses.

In contrast, the Sony A7S II employs the Sony E-mount system, boasting compatibility with over 120 lenses ranging from ultra-wide to super-telephoto, primes, specialized macros, tilt-shifts, and more. This opens limitless creative and professional doors, letting you tailor your lens choice to your subject, style, and lighting conditions. The sensor also benefits from professional-grade optics with superior glass quality and image stabilization.

Video Capabilities: From Basic HD to Professional 4K

Videographers, take note - these cameras cater to wildly different video needs.

The Ricoh WG-M1 records up to 1920x1080 at 30p, with slow-motion options in lower resolutions like 1280x720 at 60p or 120p. It uses H.264 compression but lacks external mic input, built-in stabilization, or 4K capability. While sufficient for casual action footage or POV shots, video quality is limited.

The Sony A7S II raises the bar sharply: it shoots internal 4K UHD (3840x2160) at 30p or 24p using the XAVC S codec at bitrates up to 100 Mbps - a professional-level offering. It includes internal 5-axis sensor stabilization, crucial for handheld shots, and external microphone/headphone jacks for serious audio monitoring and capture. High Frame Rate Full HD recording up to 120fps enables smooth slow-motion. Plus, the large sensor and high ISOs create beautifully cinematic low-light footage.

For video work blending photography precision and cinematic quality, the Sony is a remarkably versatile tool. Meanwhile, the Ricoh is competent for casual use but not in the same league.

Durability and Weather Sealing: Ready for Extremes vs Studio-Protected

Here, the WG-M1 shines with true waterproof (rated to around 10m), shockproof, and freezeproof construction designed for raw outdoor abuse, action sports, and underwater adventures. You can literally take it surfing, snorkeling, or mountain biking without worrying.

The Sony A7S II carries weather sealing against dust and moisture, but it is neither waterproof nor shockproof. It’s engineered for rugged outdoor use but requires care in the rain or extreme conditions and definitely not for underwater use without specialized housings.

Your shooting environment hugely influences which is suitable.

Battery Life and Storage: Getting Shots Without Interruptions

Battery life is surprisingly similar, with the Ricoh offering around 350 shots per charge and the Sony 370. But note this varies drastically depending on usage: video recording drains the battery faster, and the Sony’s larger chassis accommodates higher-capacity chargers and spares more easily.

On storage, Ricoh uses microSD/microSDHC cards plus some internal memory, while Sony supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with UHS-I support, giving you flexibility and speeds better suited for 4K video recording.

Connectivity and Workflow Integration: Modern Sharing and Editing

Both cameras come with built-in wireless connectivity, but the Ricoh does not support Bluetooth or NFC, limiting pairing options and remote control functionalities.

The Sony A7S II includes Wi-Fi with NFC for quick smartphone linking, remote shuttering, and easy file transfers, supporting professional workflows. It also supports tethered shooting, crucial for studio or location professionals wanting immediate file review.

When you consider workflow - from capture to post-production - the Sony works naturally in modern setups; the Ricoh is more isolated and action-focused.

Price and Value: What You Get for Your Investment

With current pricing around $2000 for the Ricoh WG-M1 and $2767 for the Sony A7S II, this isn’t a straight cost comparison since they serve different markets:

• The WG-M1 offers rugged waterproof imaging and decent Full HD video at a competitive action camera price point, unbeatable if outdoor durability is paramount.
• The A7S II commands a higher price but offers professional-grade image quality, 4K video, versatile lens support, and creative control, justifying its value for serious photographers and videographers.

If budget is tight and you want waterproof adventure shooting, the Ricoh is unbeatable. But for ultimate image quality and versatility, the Sony represents much more long-term investment in your craft.

How Do They Perform Across Photography Genres? A Detailed Breakdown

Here’s the overview of how each camera stacks up in various specialized photographic disciplines:

Portrait Photography

• Sony A7S II: Wins hands down due to full-frame sensor with beautiful bokeh, excellent skin tone rendition, and reliable eye/face detection for sharp focus.
• Ricoh WG-M1: Limited by fixed lens and no face detect autofocus; portraits look flat with less background separation.

Landscape Photography

• Sony A7S II: High dynamic range and full sensor resolution yield stunning landscapes with subtle tonal transitions.
• Ricoh WG-M1: Smaller sensor struggles with highlight retention and shadow detail; glare and noise more prominent.

Wildlife Photography

• Sony A7S II: Great, thanks to AF tracking and lens ecosystem (telephotos available).
• Ricoh WG-M1: Fixed lens and no tracking autofocus hinder wildlife capture; best for quick, opportunistic shots.

Sports Photography

• Sony A7S II: Continuous AF, good low light capability, burst speed adequate for many sports.
• Ricoh WG-M1: Fast burst rate but poor AF makes it mostly standby.

Street Photography

• Ricoh WG-M1: Small form factor, discrete, immediate capture good for candid shots.
• Sony A7S II: Bulkier and more conspicuous but superior image quality.

Macro Photography

• Sony A7S II: Lens options for macro with high sharpness.
• Ricoh WG-M1: No dedicated macro mode or close focusing.

Night/Astro Photography

• Sony A7S II: High native ISO and dynamic range for astrophotography.
• Ricoh WG-M1: Limited by sensor noise and ISO cap.

Video Capabilities

• Sony A7S II: 4K, external audio, stabilization - pro-level video.
• Ricoh WG-M1: Basic HD, no external mic.

Travel Photography

• Ricoh WG-M1: Lightweight, waterproof, immediate snapshots.
• Sony A7S II: Versatile, smart lenses, but heavier.

Professional Work

• Sony A7S II: Raw support, workflow integration, reliability.
• Ricoh WG-M1: No raw, limited manual controls.

Real-World Examples: Image Quality and Output

I put both cameras through rigorous outdoor and indoor testing on the same day, capturing varying light conditions and subjects.

Ricoh WG M1 front Sony A7S II front Sony A7S II screen back

Notice the Sony A7S II images with richer, more natural colors, well-controlled noise at high ISO, and beautiful depth with selective focus. The WG-M1 shots look clean in bright light but show quick degradation in quality at ISO 400-800, with less sharpness and dynamic detail.

Comprehensive Camera Scorecard: What the Numbers Tell Us

Looking at raw performance metrics, the Sony A7S II scores an impressive 85 on DxOMark’s overall index with outstanding low-light ISO capability and dynamic range. The Ricoh isn’t officially tested but based on sensor size and specs, would fall in a much lower bracket.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Should You Choose?

Both the Ricoh WG-M1 and Sony A7S II excel, but in radically different scenarios.

If you want a compact, rugged, adventure-friendly waterproof camera that can double as an action cam with basic video and photo capabilities - and you don’t require professional crispness or advanced features - the Ricoh WG-M1 is a solid companion. Its simplicity is its strength, especially for aquatic sports, mountain biking, or casual shooting.

But if you’re a passionate enthusiast or professional who demands top-tier image quality, superb low-light performance, full manual control, a vast range of lenses, and serious video features, the Sony A7S II is an investment that pays dividends in creative flexibility and professional output.

Consider what matters most to you: rugged portability and waterproof simplicity or full-frame excellence and professional versatility. Either way, knowing the precise strengths and limits of each camera helps you make a confident choice.

I hope this in-depth comparison and my hands-on insights help you navigate your next camera purchase thoughtfully. If you want to discuss specific shooting scenarios or have lens recommendations for the A7S II, feel free to drop a comment or reach out. Happy shooting!

Appendices: Technical Summary Table

Thanks for reading! Remember, the best camera is the one that fits your style and inspires you to create.