Ricoh WG-70 Review

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.

  • Product
  • Features
  • Photos

Ricoh WG-70 Orange Waterproof Digital Camera 16MP

Last update was on: January 19, 2024 8:07 am

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 typeCompact
Max resolution4608 x 3456
Image ratio w:h1:1, 4:3, 16:9
Effective pixels16 megapixels
Sensor size1/2.3″ (6.17 x 4.55 mm)
Sensor typeBSI-CMOS
ISOAuto, 125-6400
White balance presets6
Custom white balanceYes
Image stabilizationDigital only
Uncompressed formatNo
JPEG quality levelsFine, normal, basic
Focal length (equiv.)28–140 mm
Optical zoom
Maximum apertureF3.5–5.5
AutofocusContrast Detect (sensor)Multi-areaCenterTrackingSingleContinuousFace DetectionLive View
Digital zoomYes (7.2X)
Manual focusYes
Normal focus range50 cm (19.69″)
Macro focus range1 cm (0.39″)
Number of focus points9
Articulated LCDFixed
Screen size2.7″
Screen dots230,000
Touch screenNo
Screen typeTFT LCD
Live viewYes
Viewfinder typeNone
Minimum shutter speed4 sec
Maximum shutter speed1/4000 sec
Aperture priorityNo
Shutter priorityNo
Manual exposure modeNo
Built-in flashYes
Flash range5.50 m (at Auto ISO)
External flashNo
Flash modesOn, off
Self-timerYes (2 or 10 secs, remote)
Metering modesMultiCenter-weightedSpot
Exposure compensation±2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
AE Bracketing±2 (3 frames at 1/3 EV steps)
FormatMPEG-4, H.264
Modes1920 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
MicrophoneMono
SpeakerMono
Storage typesInternal + SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage included68MB
USBUSB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMIYes (micro-HDMI)
Microphone portNo
Headphone portNo
Remote controlYes (Wireless)
Environmentally sealedYes
DurabilityWaterproof, Shockproof
BatteryBattery Pack
Battery descriptionD-LI92 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)300
Weight (inc. batteries)193 g (0.43 lb / 6.81 oz)
Dimensions123 x 62 x 30 mm (4.84 x 2.44 x 1.18″)
Orientation sensorYes
Timelapse recordingYes
GPSNone

Ricoh WG-70 Conclusion

  • Product
  • Features
  • Photos

Ricoh WG-70 Orange Waterproof Digital Camera 16MP

Last update was on: January 19, 2024 8:07 am

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.

Tags:

Paul
We will be happy to hear your thoughts

Leave a reply

DSLRCameraSearch
Logo
Compare items
  • Cameras (0)
  • Phones (0)
Compare