The new Ricoh WG-70 is a rugged small camera that can take photos underwater for up to two hours at depths of up to 14 meters.
Additionally, it can withstand a drop from a height of 1.6 meters and can withstand temperatures as low as -10 degrees Celsius without being damaged.
The WG70 has a Digital Microscope mode that may substantially expand the subject of the photograph, in addition to having six built-in Macro Lights that can aid in taking photographs up close.
The Ricoh WG 70 is equipped with a back-illuminated CMOS picture sensor that has a maximum sensitivity of ISO 6400. Additionally, this camera sports a 5x optical zoom lens with a wide-angle coverage of 28mm.
Ricoh WG-70 Orange Waterproof Digital Camera 16MP
- THE ALL-WEATHER ADVENTURE CAMERA: A rugged chassis you can rely on in the harshest conditions.
- HIGH RESOLUTION WITH ALL THE MUST-HAVE FEATURES: With a high-performance image processing engine and a back-illuminated CMOS sensor boasting high optical efficiency and an effective 16 megapixel, the WG-70 takes low-noise photos with a wide dynamic range that look beautiful even as prints.
- THE ALL-WEATHER ADVENTURE CAMERA: A rugged chassis you can rely on in the harshest conditions.
- HIGH RESOLUTION WITH ALL THE MUST-HAVE FEATURES: With a high-performance image processing engine and a back-illuminated CMOS sensor boasting high optical efficiency and an effective 16 megapixel, the WG-70 takes low-noise photos with a wide dynamic range that look beautiful even as prints.
- WATERPROOF 14M: With features that include uncompromising waterproofing - good for 2 hours of continuous use at a depth of 14 meters
- UNDERWATER MODE: This mode uses white balance optimized for underwater photos, making colors appear more natural by adding reds that tend to get lost in photos taken under water.
- FULL HD VIDEO: While the camera can of course record Full HD (16:9) video at 30 fps, it also offers a High Speed Movie mode for recording slow-motion video and an Underwater Movie mode suited to underwater movie recording. Movie and Underwater Movie modes offer Movie SR (shake reduction), which can be used to reduce the effects of camera shake.
- DIGITAL MICROSCOPE MODE: The WG-70’s Digital Microscope mode makes it easy to take impressive macro photographs that capture details that cannot be resolved by the naked eye. The 6-LED Ring Light helps prevent blur by allowing faster shutter speeds.
- CHOOSE FROM 25 SHOOTING MODES: The camera offers settings suited to every subject, including an “Auto Picture” mode that automatically identifies the subject type and chooses the appropriate mode.
- CAMERA AT WORK: The WG-70 features a tough chassis, enhanced crushproofing, and an easy-to-use design that lets you shoot without taking off your gloves. The ring light can be used for construction-site photos that clearly show cracks in concrete and other fine details.
- OUTDOOR VIEW SETTING: Monitor brightness can be increased by up to 2 steps to make dark areas of the display easier to see in sunlight, or lowered by up to 2 steps to reduce glare for night photography.
- WHAT'S IN THE BOX: Includes Battery D-LI92, Power Adapter, USB Cable, Strap and Macro Stand O-MS1
Get: Best Memory Cards for Ricoh WG-70
Ricoh WG-70 Build Quality
We live in unprecedented times; thus, is the Ricoh WG70, which is reassuringly tough and was just debuted, the destruction-proofed point-and-shoot compact for our trying age? Our assessment of Ricoh’s similarly ruggedized WG-6 compact, which was released in the aftermath of the previous WG-60 (which this model more closely resembles) and, in contrast, had what was hailed as an enhanced and refreshed design and handling, was published in the summer of last year.
In comparison to earlier models, the WG-6 did not have any “go-faster stripes” or “wacky motifs,” and it had an overall more “reined-in” appearance.
However, with the release of the WG-70, which is what we are looking at right now, Ricoh is back to its old ways of “letting it all hang out” externally with its very recognizable sporty design. We think that strategy didn’t quite work out. It quickly raises the suspicion that there is not much on the inside that is all that different from what we see on the outside.
A cursory examination of the Ricoh WG70’s most prominent capabilities reveals that many of these have been shown to us in the past… and, yes, adorns the almost similar WG-60; returning here is a maximum 16-megapixel resolution with a back-illuminated CMOS sensor, although the WG-6 from the previous summer provided us with 20MP (maybe there is a WG-7 in the works?).
The LCD screen on the back plate of the camera, which is used for composition and review in the absence of an eye-level viewfinder, is the same size as the screen on the WG-60, measuring 2.7 inches, and it also has the same screen resolution of 230K pixels, which is not very impressive.
At first glance, Ricoh is simply giving its customers a shrug and asking, “Will this do?” of this model that feels like it is recycling yesterday’s spec. While there is technically nothing “wrong” with that, this latest generation model is hardly pushing hard at the boundaries of the technology.
In a more favorable light, the Ricoh WG-70’s dimensions of 122.5 by 61.5 by 29.5 millimeters and its weight of 173 grams (the same as the WG-60) ensure that it can easily fit into a trouser or jacket pocket. As a result, this camera is one that you can take with you everywhere you go.
Ricoh WG-70 Image Quality
The SuperFine JPEG option at 20 megapixels was used to capture each sample photograph included in this study. This setting results in an image that is around 7 megabytes in size on average.
We are not anticipating results equivalent to those of a mirrorless camera or DSLR in this case because the Ricoh WG-70 has a sensor that is just 1/2.3 inches in size and an internally stacked zoom lens. To tell you the truth, we do not receive them either. In point of fact, others could claim that you might even obtain superior outcomes with a smartphone of the most recent generation these days.
Our experience leads us to believe that, even though this tough camera may be utilized for various purposes, it is not exactly the master of all trades. Therefore, you should generally only think about purchasing it if you plan to use it in situations in which you wouldn’t ordinarily risk using a smartphone, DSLR, or mirrorless camera, such as going swimming, spending the day at the beach, or going skiing.
The colors are decent, even if they are not quite as vibrant and punchy as we may have hoped for, and the level of information that is presented is likewise average.
Even though it has a back-lit sensor, the camera has difficulty taking sharp pictures when there isn’t enough light. Its flash doesn’t help all that much, either, because it’s positioned so close to the edge that the forefinger of your left hand can accidentally cover it up if you’re not careful enough when holding the camera with both hands for a steadier shot. Even though the camera has a back-lit sensor, it has a hard time taking.
If you wish to attempt taking pictures in low light without using the flash, you may use the Ricoh WG70’s light sensitivity settings up to ISO1600 and get decent results. However, you should avoid using ISO 3200 and ISO 6400 unless you are in a very critical situation.
Ricoh WG-70 Specs
Body type | Compact |
---|---|
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 |
Image ratio w:h | 1:1, 4:3, 16:9 |
Effective pixels | 16 megapixels |
Sensor size | 1/2.3″ (6.17 x 4.55 mm) |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS |
ISO | Auto, 125-6400 |
White balance presets | 6 |
Custom white balance | Yes |
Image stabilization | Digital only |
Uncompressed format | No |
JPEG quality levels | Fine, normal, basic |
Focal length (equiv.) | 28–140 mm |
Optical zoom | 5× |
Maximum aperture | F3.5–5.5 |
Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Multi-areaCenterTrackingSingleContinuousFace DetectionLive View |
Digital zoom | Yes (7.2X) |
Manual focus | Yes |
Normal focus range | 50 cm (19.69″) |
Macro focus range | 1 cm (0.39″) |
Number of focus points | 9 |
Articulated LCD | Fixed |
Screen size | 2.7″ |
Screen dots | 230,000 |
Touch screen | No |
Screen type | TFT LCD |
Live view | Yes |
Viewfinder type | None |
Minimum shutter speed | 4 sec |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 sec |
Aperture priority | No |
Shutter priority | No |
Manual exposure mode | No |
Built-in flash | Yes |
Flash range | 5.50 m (at Auto ISO) |
External flash | No |
Flash modes | On, off |
Self-timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, remote) |
Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedSpot |
Exposure compensation | ±2 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
AE Bracketing | ±2 (3 frames at 1/3 EV steps) |
Format | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Modes | 1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1280 x 720 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1280 x 720 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1280 x 720 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM |
Microphone | Mono |
Speaker | Mono |
Storage types | Internal + SD/SDHC/SDXC card |
Storage included | 68MB |
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
HDMI | Yes (micro-HDMI) |
Microphone port | No |
Headphone port | No |
Remote control | Yes (Wireless) |
Environmentally sealed | Yes |
Durability | Waterproof, Shockproof |
Battery | Battery Pack |
Battery description | D-LI92 lithium-ion battery & charger |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 300 |
Weight (inc. batteries) | 193 g (0.43 lb / 6.81 oz) |
Dimensions | 123 x 62 x 30 mm (4.84 x 2.44 x 1.18″) |
Orientation sensor | Yes |
Timelapse recording | Yes |
GPS | None |
Ricoh WG-70 Conclusion
Ricoh WG-70 Orange Waterproof Digital Camera 16MP
- THE ALL-WEATHER ADVENTURE CAMERA: A rugged chassis you can rely on in the harshest conditions.
- HIGH RESOLUTION WITH ALL THE MUST-HAVE FEATURES: With a high-performance image processing engine and a back-illuminated CMOS sensor boasting high optical efficiency and an effective 16 megapixel, the WG-70 takes low-noise photos with a wide dynamic range that look beautiful even as prints.
- THE ALL-WEATHER ADVENTURE CAMERA: A rugged chassis you can rely on in the harshest conditions.
- HIGH RESOLUTION WITH ALL THE MUST-HAVE FEATURES: With a high-performance image processing engine and a back-illuminated CMOS sensor boasting high optical efficiency and an effective 16 megapixel, the WG-70 takes low-noise photos with a wide dynamic range that look beautiful even as prints.
- WATERPROOF 14M: With features that include uncompromising waterproofing - good for 2 hours of continuous use at a depth of 14 meters
- UNDERWATER MODE: This mode uses white balance optimized for underwater photos, making colors appear more natural by adding reds that tend to get lost in photos taken under water.
- FULL HD VIDEO: While the camera can of course record Full HD (16:9) video at 30 fps, it also offers a High Speed Movie mode for recording slow-motion video and an Underwater Movie mode suited to underwater movie recording. Movie and Underwater Movie modes offer Movie SR (shake reduction), which can be used to reduce the effects of camera shake.
- DIGITAL MICROSCOPE MODE: The WG-70’s Digital Microscope mode makes it easy to take impressive macro photographs that capture details that cannot be resolved by the naked eye. The 6-LED Ring Light helps prevent blur by allowing faster shutter speeds.
- CHOOSE FROM 25 SHOOTING MODES: The camera offers settings suited to every subject, including an “Auto Picture” mode that automatically identifies the subject type and chooses the appropriate mode.
- CAMERA AT WORK: The WG-70 features a tough chassis, enhanced crushproofing, and an easy-to-use design that lets you shoot without taking off your gloves. The ring light can be used for construction-site photos that clearly show cracks in concrete and other fine details.
- OUTDOOR VIEW SETTING: Monitor brightness can be increased by up to 2 steps to make dark areas of the display easier to see in sunlight, or lowered by up to 2 steps to reduce glare for night photography.
- WHAT'S IN THE BOX: Includes Battery D-LI92, Power Adapter, USB Cable, Strap and Macro Stand O-MS1
The Ricoh WG-70 is not quite a camera that will get your heart racing and blood pumping if you know what has come before it. The Ricoh WG-70 is only an “update” in numerical terms, given that its core specifications, functionality, and even weight and dimensions are identical to its WG-60 predecessor. However, this does not mean that the Ricoh WG-70 is not an impressive camera.
The so-called “new” WG70 point and the shooter have a lot of characteristics that are extremely “same old, same old,” to be sure.
Suppose you need a camera that you can subject to some degree of rough and tumble usage, which is the only true reason why you should be considering this model or its near twin. In that case, you should feel justified in snapping it up if you see the older WG-60 being sold at a more attractive price than the “new” edition.
You won’t be losing out on anything, and if you’re looking for a compact that’s simple to use, resistant to water, and durable, you may end up saving a lot of money in the process.
When considered in isolation, the Ricoh WG-70 is a camera that is decidedly ordinary in all other regards and produces photographs that are decidedly average in quality. There isn’t necessarily anything wrong with it, but we do believe that Ricoh should make more of an effort the next time around.
The market is driven by innovation, but we’re just treading water right now. This is, incidentally, the situation in which you may very well get the most out of this undemanding waterproof point-and-shoot camera.