Ricoh WG-20 Review: The Ultimate Waterproof Camera for Adventurers

If you're an adventure enthusiast and need a rugged camera that can keep up with your active lifestyle, the Ricoh WG-20 is the perfect choice for you. With waterproof, shockproof and freeze-proof features, this camera is built to withstand even the toughest conditions. In this review, we'll take a closer look at its features and find out why it's the ultimate camera for outdoor enthusiasts.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Ricoh WG-20 article cover photo

Key Features

Feb 05 2014

Announced

14 megapixels

Resolution

BrandRicoh
Sensor Type1/2.3-inch
SensorCCD
Weight164g
MSRP$199USD

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Overview of the WG-20

Are you tired of buying a new camera every time you plan a trip to the great outdoors? Do you need a camera that can keep up with your active lifestyle without compromising on picture quality? If your answer is yes, then the Ricoh WG-20 is the camera for you. This camera is designed to take stunning photos and videos even in harsh conditions such as snow, rain, and dust. In this review, we'll explore the features of the Ricoh WG-20 and why it's the ultimate camera for adventurers. Let's dive in!

Ricoh WG-20 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Ricoh WG-20 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

Waterproof (up to 33 feet)
Shockproof (can withstand drops up to 5 feet)
Dustproof and freeze-proof
HD video recording
Budget-friendly
14 megapixel resolution
Good image stabilization
Compact and portable
Has a fast autofocus system

Cons

Limited zoom (5x optical)
Average image quality in low light conditions
No manual control settings
Limited battery life
Small LCD screen (only 2.7 inches)
No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity
No external microphone jack for better audio quality
Limited creative filters or effects
Only 720p video resolution, not full HD

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Ricoh WG-20

Weather sealed
Dimensions114 x 58 x 28mm
Weight164g
Thickness28mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Ricoh WG-20 camera is equipped with environmental seals that make it resistant to weather, preventing water and dust from entering the camera. If you enjoy outdoor photography and need a camera that can handle extreme conditions, the WG-20 is an excellent choice.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderNone
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution230k dots
Body typeCompact

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 2.70" screen, with a display resolution of 230k dots. This makes the Ricoh WG-20 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

Ricoh WG-20 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the WG-20 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Ricoh WG-20 has a 14MP sized CCD sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 14 pixels. Ricoh WG-20 has a native ISO range of 80 - 6400 which can be boosted to null - null.

Key Features

Feb 05 2014

Announced

80 - 6400

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3-inch
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution4288 x 3216 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Ricoh WG-20 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the WG-20 is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: 1/2.3-inch

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC, internal
Battery Life260 shots
Battery ModelD-LI92
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Ricoh WG-20 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Ricoh WG-20 uses the D-LI92 model of battery pack. This is rated for 260 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Ricoh WG-20 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Ricoh WG-20 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/1500s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Ricoh WG-20 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with 9 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Ricoh WG-20?

The Ricoh WG-20 features a CCD sensor

Is the Ricoh WG-20 weather sealed?

Yes the WG-20 does have weather sealing.

When was the Ricoh WG-20 announced?

The Ricoh WG-20 was announced on Feb 05 2014

Does the Ricoh WG-20 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the WG-20 does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Ricoh WG-20?

The WG-20 has a native ISO range of 80-6400, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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