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Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony A290

Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
22
Overall
32
Ricoh WG-M1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Ricoh WG-M1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 1.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • (1×)mm (F2.8) lens
  • 190g - 66 x 43 x 89mm
  • Introduced September 2014
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Launched June 2010
  • Older Model is Sony A230
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Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony A290 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Ricoh WG-M1 and Sony A290, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Ricoh and Sony. The resolution of the WG-M1 (14MP) and the A290 (14MP) is relatively close but the WG-M1 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The WG-M1 was unveiled 4 years later than the A290 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Ricoh WG-M1 being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief summary of how the WG-M1 matches up against the A290 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-M1 over the Sony A290

 WG-M1 A290 
LaunchedSeptember 2014June 2010Fresher by 52 months

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Ricoh WG-M1

 A290 WG-M1 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen dimension2.7"1.5"Bigger screen (+1.2")
Screen resolution230k115kClearer screen (+115k dot)

Common features in the Ricoh WG-M1 and Sony A290

 WG-M1 A290 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Ricoh WG-M1 comes with outer dimensions of 66mm x 43mm x 89mm (2.6" x 1.7" x 3.5") accompanied by a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs) while the Sony A290 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Look at the Ricoh WG-M1 and Sony A290 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the WG-M1 compared to the A290.

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the WG-M1 and A290 is 91 and 66 respectively.

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizing merely by researching specifications. The graphic underneath will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the WG-M1 and A290.

To sum up, both of these cameras posses the exact same megapixels albeit not the same sensor sizing. The WG-M1 provides the smaller sensor which should make getting shallower DOF trickier. The newer WG-M1 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 Portrait photography factors
Sony A290 Portrait photography factors
30
good resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
65
manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 as a Street photography camera
Sony A290 as a Street photography camera
53
weather proof
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
max ISO too low (800)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A290 as a Sports photography camera
38
good resolution (14MP)
weather proof
great battery (350 CIPA)
focal length is fixed ((1×)mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
max fps very slow (3.0 fps)
bad battery pack (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A290 as a Travel photography camera
64
great battery (350 CIPA)
weather proof
good resolution (14MP)
does not have Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
53
megapixel count good (14MP)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
bad battery pack (290 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 Landscape photography advice
Sony A290 Landscape photography advice
35
good resolution (14MP)
weather proof
great battery (350 shots)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed ((1×)mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (1.5")
manual mode not possible
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
max ISO too low (800)
does not have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
58
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is small (2.7")
doesn't have liveview
bad battery pack (290 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Ricoh WG-M1
Vlogging with Sony A290
26
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
does not have external mic support
9
lack of video recording
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Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh WG-M1 and Sony A290
 Ricoh WG-M1Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Name Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh WG-M1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Class Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2014-09-12 2010-06-09
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 800 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range (1×) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8 -
Number of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 1.5 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 115 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed - 30 secs
Max shutter speed - 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 960 (50p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p), 848 x 480 (60p, 120p) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format H.264 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 190 grams (0.42 pounds) 549 grams (1.21 pounds)
Dimensions 66 x 43 x 89mm (2.6" x 1.7" x 3.5") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 615
Other
Battery life 350 images 290 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DB-65 NP-FH50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media microSD/microSDHC, internal Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $2,000 $600