• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax VS20 advantages over Ricoh WG-30w

  • Less expensive
    $250 vs $300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    560 mm vs 140 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen

Ricoh WG-30w advantages over Pentax VS20

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • 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
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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

  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax VS20

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Ricoh WG-30w

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus SZ-12

Pentax VS20
Olympus SZ-12
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • HDMI out
Ricoh WG-30w
Olympus SZ-12
  • $450
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Pentax WG-2 GPS

Pentax VS20
Pentax WG-2 GPS
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in 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

Compared to Olympus SZ-16

Pentax VS20
Olympus SZ-16
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out
Ricoh WG-30w
Olympus SZ-16
  • $450
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

Compared to Olympus SZ-15

Pentax VS20
Olympus SZ-15
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Longer exposure
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • HDMI out
Ricoh WG-30w
Olympus SZ-15
  • $450
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Olympus TG-870

Pentax VS20
Olympus TG-870
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
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 Other Cameras?