• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Ricoh WG-30w advantages over Sony WX500

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony WX500 advantages over Ricoh WG-30w

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 140 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 390 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

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
  • 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 Ricoh WG-30w
Ricoh WG-30W (Orange)
  • Ricoh WG-30W (Orange)
  • Ricoh WG-30W (Carbon Gray)
All WG-30w Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony WX500
Sony WX500 (Black)
  • Sony WX500 (Black)
  • Sony WX500 (White)
All WX500 Deals

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to 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

Sony WX500
Pentax WG-2 GPS
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Sony WX500 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS

Compared to Olympus TG-850

Ricoh WG-30w
Olympus TG-850
  • $450
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Ricoh WG-30w vs Olympus TG-850

Sony WX500
Olympus TG-850
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Wider angle lens

Compare Sony WX500 vs Olympus TG-850

Compared to Sony HX90V

Ricoh WG-30w
Sony HX90V
  • $450
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh WG-30w vs Sony HX90V

Sony WX500
Sony HX90V
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony WX500 vs Sony HX90V

Compared to 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

Sony WX500
Olympus TG-870
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • NFC
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Sony WX500 vs Olympus TG-870

Compared to Sony HX80

Ricoh WG-30w
Sony HX80
  • $450
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Manual focus
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Ricoh WG-30w vs Sony HX80

Sony WX500
Sony HX80
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony WX500 vs Sony HX80

Compare Other Cameras?