• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.0 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon A590 IS advantages over Ricoh WG-4 GPS

  • Less expensive
    $180 vs $380 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.76 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More telephoto lens reach
    140 mm vs 100 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 450 vs 240 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Ricoh WG-4 GPS advantages over Canon A590 IS

  • Larger sensor
    1/2.3 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/2.6
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Newer
    11 years vs 17 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 115k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 8.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 35 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.5 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon A580

Canon A590 IS
Canon A580
  • $219
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Less shutter lag
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon A590 IS vs Canon A580

Ricoh WG-4 GPS
Canon A580
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Waterproof
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Canon A580

Compared to Canon E1

Canon A590 IS
Canon E1
  • $219
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Thinner

Compare Canon A590 IS vs Canon E1

Ricoh WG-4 GPS
Canon E1
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Canon E1

Compared to Canon A1000 IS

Canon A590 IS
Canon A1000 IS
  • $219
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Thinner

Compare Canon A590 IS vs Canon A1000 IS

Ricoh WG-4 GPS
Canon A1000 IS
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Canon A1000 IS

Compared to Pentax WG-3 GPS

Canon A590 IS
Pentax WG-3 GPS
  • $219
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon A590 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS

Ricoh WG-4 GPS
Pentax WG-3 GPS
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS

Compared to Ricoh WG-4

Canon A590 IS
Ricoh WG-4
  • $219
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon A590 IS vs Ricoh WG-4

Ricoh WG-4 GPS
Ricoh WG-4
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh WG-4 GPS vs Ricoh WG-4

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