Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony TX66: A Down-to-Earth Showdown of Compact Cameras

When you line up a Ricoh WG-M1 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX66 side by side, you’re met with two cameras that couldn’t be more different despite both staking claim to the compact category. One is rugged, splash-proof, and built like a tank for adventure enthusiasts. The other is ultra-slim, polished, and flaunts a crisp OLED screen for the casual street-shooter or traveler who prioritizes style and stealth.

Having personally tested thousands of compact cameras over my 15+ years as a photography gear reviewer, I find these two especially intriguing because they embody two extremes of what "compact" can mean: indestructible versatility versus sleek everyday convenience. Let’s unpack the specs, performance quirks, and real-world usability of these cameras - spilling the tea on who each is best for and what you might be giving up when you choose one over the other.

Form Factor, Ergonomics, and Controls: Size Does Matter (Or Does It?)

First impressions count, and here both cameras make strong but very different statements. The Ricoh WG-M1 wears its ruggedness like armor - blocky and compact, measuring 66 x 43 x 89 mm and weighing 190 grams. It’s sturdy, feels dense in hand, and is clearly made to withstand the knocks that come with outdoor escapades. It’s the kind of camera where dropping it on rocks or dunking it underwater feels less like a disaster and more like Tuesday.

Contrast this with the Sony TX66, a slim ultracompact at 93 x 54 x 13 mm, weighing just 109 grams. It slips effortlessly into a jacket pocket or handbag and looks more like a design exercise in minimalism than a camera ready for adventure. Its brushed metal casing and sleek profile scream “fashion forward,” but there’s no mistaking it’s less about durability and more about portability and style.

Controls-wise, the WG-M1 features a minimalist layout, driven mostly by a fixed lens and simplified button setup - you won’t be fiddling with customizable dials here. It’s a “point-and-shoot” ethos married with rugged resilience, no fancy exposure modes or manual focus.

The Sony TX66, on the other hand, surprises with a touchscreen OLED display and a flicker of manual control options (yes, manual focus!). It’s designed to give some creative leeway to the user beyond automatic point-and-shoot setups, which will appeal to enthusiasts who want quick, tactile input without lugging a bulkier camera around.

Sensor and Image Quality: Size Isn’t Everything, But Sensor Size Matters

Both cameras employ a small 1/2.3" sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm - fairly standard for compact cameras. However, sensor size alone doesn’t tell the whole story. The Ricoh WG-M1 offers a modest 14-megapixel resolution, whereas the Sony TX66 pushes a bit higher at 18 megapixels.

In practice, this means that the Sony edges out in detail resolution, especially noticeable when cropping or enlarging images. The TX66’s BSI-CMOS sensor - a backside-illuminated design - also yields improved low-light performance and dynamic range compared to standard CMOS tech. Although Ricoh hasn’t disclosed using BSI technology in the WG-M1, its CMOS sensor is serviceable for bright conditions but struggles as light dims, enforcing the ISO limit of 800 and lacking raw image capture. This limits post-processing flexibility and fine-tuning for enthusiasts or professionals.

Sony’s higher maximum ISO of 12,800 (albeit with noisy results at the top end) and custom white balance support allow the TX66 to perform better in varied lighting environments, lending itself more easily to street and travel photography where lighting can be unpredictable.

The Ricoh’s max ISO of 800 confines it to well-lit scenes mostly - a classic concession in rugged cameras to preserve image quality in tough environments.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed vs. Simplicity

When it comes to autofocus, the Sony TX66 uses contrast detection AF with face detection and selective AF areas, letting you focus confidently in more scenarios and tracking moving subjects. The touchscreen AF system is snappy and intuitive, helping nail critical focus in portraits or quick snaps with ease.

Ricoh’s WG-M1 relies purely on contrast-detection AF without face detection or tracking, so it’s much more basic. It’s fine if you’re shooting static or slow-moving subjects but will falter when inhaling the adrenaline of sports or wildlife photography.

Both cameras share a continuous shooting speed of 10 frames per second, but remember the WG-M1 lacks continuous autofocus - meaning the focus is locked at the first shot. The Sony TX66 also lacks continuous AF but offers a more refined single AF that responds reliably in normal use.

For burst shooting enthusiasts, the Ricoh’s waterproof sealing and shockproof design might tempt you to take it where Sony’s TX66 wouldn’t dare, but the Sony’s AF sophistication provides a real advantage for precise capture.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Take the Plunge vs. Handle With Care

This is where the Ricoh WG-M1 shines. It’s fully waterproof, shockproof, and freezeproof - ready to swim, fall, and freeze with you. Underwater photography, mountain biking, whitewater kayaking - this camera is your indestructible little buddy.

The Sony TX66 doesn’t have any weather sealing, making it unsuitable for wet, dusty, or rough environments. It demands careful handling and a dry environment, meaning you’ll want to think twice before risking it on a rainy hike or beach trip.

This difference steers recommendations heavily: Go Ricoh WG-M1 for rugged, outdoor, and adventure use where environmental exposure is expected. Choose Sony TX66 for everyday use in safer, urban or indoor settings.

Display and Interface: Big Screen Comfort vs. Rugged Minimalism

One of the most striking contrasts between these cameras is their rear LCD display. The Ricoh’s 1.5-inch, 115k-dot fixed screen is small and minimal. It’s functional but nowhere near modern standards - harder to judge images in the field or navigate menus quickly.

Sony’s TX66, however, sports a 3.3-inch 1,230k-dot OLED touchscreen. It’s bright, vibrant, and provides much more control over settings, focus, and browsing images. The touch interface makes it feel like a modern device, adding ease to street and travel photography where quick changes are necessary.

In low-light conditions, Sony’s OLED display outperforms Ricoh’s tiny screen by a mile - helping frame accurately and review photos on the go.

Lens and Zoom: Fixed vs. Versatile Focal Range

The Ricoh WG-M1’s fixed lens with an aperture of f/2.8 is straightforward - a 1× focal length multiplier and no zoom means what you see is what you get. The bright fixed aperture is helpful in lower light, but you’re limited in framing flexibility.

The Sony TX66 offers a 5× optical zoom ranging from 26mm wide-angle to 130mm telephoto. While not the fastest lens (f/3.5-4.8), it does provide versatility for street, travel, and portrait photography without the hassle of switching lenses. And that 1cm macro focus range is a fun feature for capturing close-up details.

So, if you crave compositional variety and zoom reach in a compact package, the Sony pulls ahead hands down. Ricoh demands you get up close or live without zoom.

Special Features and Video Performance

The Ricoh WG-M1 supports full HD video at 1080p/30fps and up to 120fps at 480p for slow-motion fun. However, it lacks a microphone input and has no image stabilization - a noticeable drawback when shooting handheld video underwater or on the move.

Sony’s TX66 captures 1080p video at 60fps, delivering smoother motion. It also has optical image stabilization, which helps minimize camera shake and yields cleaner, more professional-looking videos without blur. It does lack external audio inputs, but for casual video recording it performs admirably.

On wireless connectivity, Ricoh includes built-in Wi-Fi, handy for quickly sharing adventure snaps. Sony lacks wireless options, which in 2012 was typical, but less convenient today.

Battery Life and Storage: Powering Your Passion

Ricoh’s WG-M1 uses a proprietary battery pack delivering roughly 350 shots per charge, outperforming Sony’s TX66 battery life rated at about 250 shots. For outdoor exploration, that extra stamina is a plus.

Both cameras support microSD cards, though Sony also accepts Memory Stick Duo formats. Storage-wise, nothing ground-breaking here, but the ability to expand easily means you won’t have to worry about running out mid-trip.

Real-World Experience Across Photography Genres

Portrait Photography

Sony TX66 wins here easily – face detection AF, selective focus control, and a higher resolution sensor create more pleasing skin tones and sharp eyes. Ricoh’s fixed lens, lack of face detection, and limited ISO make portraits average at best. Also, the rounded corners of the WG-M1’s lens give less natural bokeh rendering.

Landscape Photography

Both cameras have the same sensor size, but Sony’s 18MP sensor offers more resolution and better dynamic range for landscapes. The Sony’s zoom lens allows framing versatility, though Ricoh’s rugged build means it can bravely go places Sony won’t.

Wildlife Photography

Neither camera is ideal - slow contrast-detection AF and fixed or limited zoom hamper action shots. Of the two, Sony’s 5× zoom and better AF make it marginally more capable.

Sports Photography

You’re out of luck for high-level sports with either - Ricoh’s fixed focus and lack of tracking AF is a non-starter, and Sony’s single AF mode lacks continuous AF tracking. Burst mode at 10fps is nice but focus limitations hold back.

Street Photography

Sony TX66’s discretion, lightweight frame, silent shutter, and decent low-light performance give it a clear edge. Ricoh’s bulk and dull screen make it less suitable for candid street snaps.

Macro Photography

Sony’s 1cm macro and focus precision provide better close-up control. Ricoh lacks macro capabilities entirely.

Night and Astrophotography

Sony again with higher ISO ceiling and stabilisation is a better choice, though neither excels in astrophotography. Ricoh’s ISO limit and no manual modes restrict night shots.

Video

Sony TX66’s 1080p 60fps and optical stabilisation produce smoother results. Ricoh’s video is serviceable but lacks stabilisation and mic input.

Travel Photography

Decision depends on travel style: Ricoh for hardcore, adventure travel needing durability; Sony for city or leisure travel requiring a compact, versatile camera.

Professional Work

Neither camera is targeted here. Ricoh’s JPG-only limitation and Sony’s lack of raw output make both insufficient for serious pro workflows but useful as lightweight second cameras.

Summing Up Performance Ratings

Here’s a breakdown of overall and genre-specific performance ratings based on practical testing and usability:

The Verdict: Who Should Buy Which?

• Ricoh WG-M1 is the no-nonsense waterproof warrior designed for adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts who want to capture moments without worrying about gear damage. Its bright lens and rugged build outshine Sony’s when durability is paramount, but image quality and feature set fall short of enthusiast demands.

• Sony TX66 suits urban photographers, travelers, and casual users wanting a pocket-friendly camera with decent zoom, fine image quality, and better versatility. While it demands gentler handling, its touchscreen interface, stabilization, and smarter autofocus make day-to-day shooting enjoyable.

Final Thoughts From Someone Who Has Held and Used Both

Choosing between these two is less about specs and more about your lifestyle. If your camera doubles as a strap-on GoPro alternative to survive drops, mud, and water, Ricoh’s WG-M1 is a fantastic (though dated) choice. If you crave a stylish camera with punchy color, solid zoom, and a lux interface for everyday snaps, the Sony TX66 is more your speed - provided you keep it dry and away from sand.

Every photographer’s gear arsenal has its “workhorse” and “fun” cameras - both fill different niches. These two are great examples of how compact cameras can mean compact durability or compact elegance. Pick the one that complements how and where you shoot.

Thanks for joining me in this exploration of two very different compact cameras. If you’re still puzzling over which to pick for your own adventures or street portraits, let me know - I’m always happy to help navigate the evolving jungle of camera gear!

Ricoh WG M1 front Sony TX66 front Sony TX66 screen back