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Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony A500

Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
22
Overall
32
Ricoh WG-M1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony A500 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
  • Revealed September 2014
Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Announced August 2009
  • Replacement is Sony A560
Photography Glossary

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony A500 Overview

Below, we will be contrasting the Ricoh WG-M1 versus Sony A500, 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 A500 (12MP) is pretty close but the WG-M1 (1/2.3") and A500 (APS-C) use totally different sensor sizes.

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The WG-M1 was brought out 5 years later than the A500 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Ricoh WG-M1 being a Compact camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the WG-M1 grades against the A500 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-M1 over the Sony A500

 WG-M1 A500 
AnnouncedSeptember 2014August 2009More recent by 62 months

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Ricoh WG-M1

 A500 WG-M1 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"1.5"Bigger screen (+1.5")
Screen resolution230k115kClearer screen (+115k dot)

Common features in the Ricoh WG-M1 and Sony A500

 WG-M1 A500 
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Ricoh WG-M1 comes with physical 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) and the Sony A500 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

See the Ricoh WG-M1 versus Sony A500 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Here is the front view scale comparison of the WG-M1 and the A500.

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony A500 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the WG-M1 and A500 is 91 and 63 respectively.

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to visualise the gap in sensor measurements merely by viewing technical specs. The graphic underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the WG-M1 and A500.

As you can tell, both of the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The WG-M1 due to its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh trickier and the Ricoh WG-M1 will render extra detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The younger WG-M1 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 Portrait photography information
Sony A500 Portrait photography information
30
MP count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
63
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 Street photography features
Sony A500 Street photography features
53
weather proof
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
maximum ISO low (800)
74
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A500 as a Sports photography camera
38
MP count good (14 megapixels)
weather proof
good battery power (350 shots)
fixed focal length ((1×)mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
51
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (5.0 frames per second)
low resolution (12MP)
bad battery (520 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 Travel photography highlights
Sony A500 Travel photography highlights
64
good battery power (350 CIPA)
weather proof
MP count good (14 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
43
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery (520 shots)
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 Landscape photography features
Sony A500 Landscape photography features
35
MP count good (14MP)
weather proof
good battery power (350 shots)
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length ((1×)mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (1.5 inches)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
maximum ISO low (800)
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
60
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
bad battery (520 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 Vlogging factors
Sony A500 Vlogging factors
26
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone socket
9
can't record video
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Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh WG-M1 and Sony A500
 Ricoh WG-M1Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Manufacturer Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh WG-M1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Category Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2014-09-12 2009-08-27
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4272 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 800 12800
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range (1×) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8 -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 1.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 115k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Slowest shutter speed - 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed - 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash modes no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 960 (50p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p), 848 x 480 (60p, 120p) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data 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) 630 grams (1.39 pounds)
Dimensions 66 x 43 x 89mm (2.6" x 1.7" x 3.5") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 64
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 772
Other
Battery life 350 shots 520 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DB-65 NP-FM500H
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage microSD/microSDHC, internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $2,000 $638