• 1/2.35 inch 27.3mm2
  • 8.0 megapixels
  • 36.00mm - 180.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus 840 advantages over Ricoh WG-30w

  • Less expensive
    $250 vs $300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.86 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More telephoto lens reach
    180 mm vs 140 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Lighter weight
    130g vs 194g
    Lighter weight

Ricoh WG-30w advantages over Olympus 840

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Newer
    10 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
  • 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
    28 mm vs 36 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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 Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-W150

Olympus 840
Sony DSC-W150
  • $173
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $163
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Manual focus

Compare Olympus 840 vs Sony DSC-W150

Ricoh WG-30w
Sony DSC-W150
  • $450
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Waterproof
  • $163
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh WG-30w vs Sony DSC-W150

Compared to Pentax V20

Olympus 840
Pentax V20
  • $173
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $203
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Olympus 840 vs Pentax V20

Ricoh WG-30w
Pentax V20
  • $450
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $203
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Ricoh WG-30w vs Pentax V20

Compared to Olympus FE-370

Olympus 840
Olympus FE-370
  • $173
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • $136
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Olympus 840 vs Olympus FE-370

Ricoh WG-30w
Olympus FE-370
  • $450
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $136
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Ricoh WG-30w vs Olympus FE-370

Compared to Pentax WG-2 GPS

Olympus 840
Pentax WG-2 GPS
  • $173
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Olympus 840 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS

Ricoh WG-30w
Pentax WG-2 GPS
  • $450
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • More dots on screen

Compare Ricoh WG-30w vs Pentax WG-2 GPS

Compared to Olympus TG-870

Olympus 840
Olympus TG-870
  • $173
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus 840 vs Olympus TG-870

Ricoh WG-30w
Olympus TG-870
  • $450
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Ricoh WG-30w vs Olympus TG-870

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