• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus TG-820 advantages over Ricoh WG-4

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.55 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More telephoto lens reach
    140 mm vs 100 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • More dots on screen
    1030k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 1.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Ricoh WG-4 advantages over Olympus TG-820

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.9
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 25 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Waterproof
    Both provide
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • 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
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • 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 Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus TG-610

Olympus TG-820
Olympus TG-610
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
Ricoh WG-4
Olympus TG-610
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More dots on screen

Compared to Olympus TG-810

Olympus TG-820
Olympus TG-810
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
Ricoh WG-4
Olympus TG-810
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More dots on screen

Compared to Fujifilm XP170

Olympus TG-820
Fujifilm XP170
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More pixels
Ricoh WG-4
Fujifilm XP170
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Pentax WG-3 GPS

Olympus TG-820
Pentax WG-3 GPS
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
Ricoh WG-4
Pentax WG-3 GPS
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Ricoh WG-4 GPS

Olympus TG-820
Ricoh WG-4 GPS
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
Ricoh WG-4
Ricoh WG-4 GPS
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
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