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Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony S980

Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
22
Overall
32
Ricoh WG-M1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony S980 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
  • Released September 2014
Sony S980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Announced February 2009
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Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony S980 Overview

Here is a in-depth assessment of the Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony S980, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Ricoh and Sony. The resolution of the WG-M1 (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is very close and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The WG-M1 was revealed 5 years later than the S980 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a thorough comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the WG-M1 scores vs the S980 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-M1 over the Sony S980

 WG-M1 S980 
AnnouncedSeptember 2014February 2009Fresher by 68 months

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Ricoh WG-M1

 S980 WG-M1 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Display dimensions2.7"1.5"Larger display (+1.2")
Display resolution230k115kSharper display (+115k dot)

Common features in the Ricoh WG-M1 and Sony S980

 WG-M1 S980 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Ricoh WG-M1 features outside measurements of 66mm x 43mm x 89mm (2.6" x 1.7" x 3.5") having a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs) while the Sony S980 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Analyze the Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony S980 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the WG-M1 compared to the S980.

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the WG-M1 and S980 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to see the gap in sensor sizing only by looking through a spec sheet. The visual underneath might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the WG-M1 and S980.

Clearly, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Ricoh WG-M1 to result in extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images more aggressively. The more modern WG-M1 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 Portrait photography info
Sony S980 Portrait photography info
30
good MP (14MP)
no manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
27
has manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 as a Street photography camera
Sony S980 as a Street photography camera
53
weather sealing
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
low maximum ISO (800)
47
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Ricoh WG-M1
Sports photography with Sony S980
38
good MP (14 megapixels)
weather sealing
better than average battery (350 per charge)
can't change focal length ((1×)mm)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
17
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 Travel photography factors
Sony S980 Travel photography factors
64
better than average battery (350 CIPA)
weather sealing
good MP (14 megapixels)
no Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse recording
resolution not great (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Ricoh WG-M1
Landscape photography with Sony S980
35
good MP (14 megapixels)
weather sealing
better than average battery (350 per charge)
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length ((1×)mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (1.5")
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
low maximum ISO (800)
lacks RAW files
no Timelapse mode
27
has manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 Vlogging details
Sony S980 Vlogging details
26
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
no external microphone jack
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic jack
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Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh WG-M1 and Sony S980
 Ricoh WG-M1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Manufacturer Ricoh Sony
Model Ricoh WG-M1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Released 2014-09-12 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 800 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range (1×) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance - 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 1.5" 2.7"
Display resolution 115 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed - 2s
Maximum shutter speed - 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 3.50 m
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 960 (50p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p), 848 x 480 (60p, 120p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 190g (0.42 pounds) 167g (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 66 x 43 x 89mm (2.6" x 1.7" x 3.5") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 350 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model DB-65 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage microSD/microSDHC, internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $2,000 $300