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Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony W290

Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
22
Overall
32
Ricoh WG-M1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony W290 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
  • Announced September 2014
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
  • Released February 2009
Photography Glossary

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony W290 Overview

In this article, we will be contrasting the Ricoh WG-M1 versus Sony W290, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Ricoh and Sony. The resolution of the WG-M1 (14MP) and the W290 (12MP) is relatively comparable and they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The WG-M1 was announced 5 years after the W290 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a full comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the WG-M1 scores versus the W290 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-M1 over the Sony W290

 WG-M1 W290 
ReleasedSeptember 2014February 2009More modern by 68 months

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Ricoh WG-M1

 W290 WG-M1 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen sizing3"1.5"Bigger screen (+1.5")
Screen resolution230k115kCrisper screen (+115k dot)

Common features in the Ricoh WG-M1 and Sony W290

 WG-M1 W290 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Ricoh WG-M1 has got exterior measurements of 66mm x 43mm x 89mm (2.6" x 1.7" x 3.5") having a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Ricoh WG-M1 versus Sony W290 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the WG-M1 and the W290.

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the WG-M1 and W290 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizes only by checking out technical specs. The pic below will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the WG-M1 and W290.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Ricoh WG-M1 to show greater detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The newer WG-M1 will have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 Portrait photography factors
Sony W290 Portrait photography factors
30
decent megapixels (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
27
focusing manually
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 Street photography information
Sony W290 Street photography information
53
environment sealing
fixed screen
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
max ISO too low (800)
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W290 as a Sports photography camera
38
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
environment sealing
good battery power (350 per charge)
fixed focal length ((1×)mm)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 Travel photography advice
Sony W290 Travel photography advice
64
good battery power (350 per charge)
environment sealing
decent megapixels (14MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
57
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse recording
low resolution (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 Landscape photography info
Sony W290 Landscape photography info
35
decent megapixels (14MP)
environment sealing
good battery power (350 shots)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length ((1×)mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (1.5 inch)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
max ISO too low (800)
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
41
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not possible
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh WG-M1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W290 as a Vlogging camera
26
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
doesn't have external mic support
28
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone socket
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Ricoh WG-M1 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh WG-M1 and Sony W290
 Ricoh WG-M1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Company Ricoh Sony
Model type Ricoh WG-M1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2014-09-12 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 800 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range (1×) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range - 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 1.5" 3"
Resolution of display 115k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed - 2s
Max shutter speed - 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.90 m
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 190g (0.42 pounds) 167g (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 66 x 43 x 89mm (2.6" x 1.7" x 3.5") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 350 photographs -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID DB-65 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type microSD/microSDHC, internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at release $2,000 $230