Ricoh WG-80 Orange Ricoh - Review 🏆

The Ricoh WG-80 Orange is a rugged and durable compact digital camera designed for outdoor adventures. It features a 16 megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS sensor and a 5x (28-140mm) optical zoom lens with a maximum aperture of f/3.5-5.6. The camera is waterproof down to 14 meters, shockproof up to 1.6 meters, crushproof up to 100 kg, freezeproof down to -10°C, and dustproof.

Key features of the Ricoh WG-80 Orange include:

• Waterproof, freezeproof, shockproof, crushproof and dustproof construction
• 16MP 1/2.3" BSI CMOS sensor
• 5x (28-140mm) optical zoom lens with macro mode
• Maximum aperture of f/3.5-5.6
• 3.0-inch LCD monitor with 230k dots
• Full HD 1080p video recording at 30 fps
• ISO range of 125-6400
• Continuous shooting up to 8 fps
• Built-in flash and six LED lights around the lens
• Digital Microscope mode for close-up macro photography

The durable and adventure-ready Ricoh WG-80 Orange is designed for photographers who want a compact camera to take anywhere without worry. Its robust construction and array of features make it well-suited to outdoor activities and challenging environments.

Design

The Ricoh WG-80 has a rugged, durable design perfect for outdoor adventures. It has a rectangular shape and measures 4.3 x 2.3 x 1.2 inches, making it compact enough to fit in your pocket. Despite its small size, the WG-80 weighs in at 6.1 ounces including battery and memory card.

The outer casing is made of a tough plastic that can withstand drops from heights up to 5.9 feet. Large, textured grips on the front and back provide a secure handhold, even when wet. The camera is available in two color options - orange or black.

The front of the camera features the lens, selfie light, flash, and macro ring light. On the top is the power button, shutter release button, and zoom lever. The back houses a 2.7-inch LCD screen and several buttons for accessing camera settings and playback. The ports are reinforced with rubber flaps to prevent water from entering.

Overall, the durable build and compact design make the WG-80 well-suited for travel and outdoor activities where a rugged camera is needed. The bright orange color also makes it easy to spot if you accidentally drop it.

Another excellent camera from Ricoh is the Ricoh GR III. It is designed for street photography and features a 24.2 MP APS-C sensor, compact dimensions, and high-speed autofocus. The GR III also includes image stabilization, a touchscreen interface, and wireless connectivity options, making it a versatile option for both professional and amateur photographers. Its discreet design and advanced features make it a favorite among street photographers.

Image Quality

The Ricoh WG-80 features a 16 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor, which is fairly standard for a rugged compact camera in this price range. The sensor resolution allows for images up to 4608 x 3456 pixels. While not the highest resolution available, 16MP will be more than enough for most users sharing photos online or printing at typical sizes.

The ISO range of the WG-80 spans 100-6400, which gives good flexibility when shooting in low light conditions. Image noise is well controlled through ISO 1600, with some visible graininess and loss of fine details starting to appear at ISO 3200 and 6400. Overall the sensor and processor do a good job of balancing resolution and high ISO performance.

The lens has an equivalent focal length of 28-140mm with a maximum aperture range of f/3.5-5.5, which provides a versatile wide angle to short telephoto zoom range. This covers most common shooting situations from landscapes to portraits. The WG-80 produces images with good sharpness and color rendition when shooting in ideal daylight conditions. However, the slower variable maximum aperture does lead to some softness in lower light.

The Ricoh THETA SC2 WHITE is a compact and easy-to-use 360-degree camera. Featuring dual 12-megapixel sensors, the THETA SC2 captures high-resolution spherical images and 4K video. With intuitive controls and various shooting modes, including Face Mode and Night View, it aims to make 360-degree photography accessible to everyone. The camera also includes built-in Wi-Fi for seamless sharing and is designed for quick image transfer to smartphones. Ideal for users looking to explore immersive content creation without a steep learning curve.

Video Quality

The Ricoh WG-80 can record full HD 1080p video at 30 fps, which is decent but not exceptional. Many cameras in this class can record 4K video. The 1080p quality is reasonably sharp when viewing on a large screen, but fine details are lacking compared to 4K.

The frame rate of 30 fps is adequate for general use, but 60 fps would provide smoother motion capture for action shots or panning. Slow motion modes are limited to 120 fps at 640 x 480 resolution. This allows some creative effects but not nearly as much flexibility as cameras with high frame rate 1080p.

On the positive side, the WG-80 has good video stabilization to reduce shakiness when handheld. Autofocus and auto exposure work quickly to adjust to changing light conditions. The onboard mic picks up decent audio that is relatively clear. There is a mic input jack for connecting an external microphone.

Overall, the video capabilities are fairly average. The 1080p resolution and 30 fps are usable for casual clips but leave something to be desired for more serious videography. Higher end rugged cameras offer more advanced features like 4K, high frame rates, better stabilization and log recording profiles.

Features

The Ricoh WG-80 has a solid set of features for an action camera in this price range. Some of the notable features include:

• Waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, and crushproof construction - The camera is waterproof up to depths of 14m, can withstand drops from heights of 1.6m, temperatures as low as -10°C, and weights of up to 100kg. This makes it very durable for outdoor activities.

• 5x optical zoom lens - A nice zoom range for an action camera. Goes from 28mm wide angle to 140mm telephoto.

• Image stabilization - Has sensor shift image stabilization to reduce blur from camera shake when shooting handheld. Works well for both stills and video.

• Built-in LED ring light - LEDs around the lens provide extra illumination when shooting close-ups or in dim lighting. Useful for macro shots.

• Macro shooting - Can focus as close as 1cm for impressive macro photography.

• 1080p video at 30 fps - Shoots full HD 1080p video at 30 frames per second, good enough quality for action cam footage.

• Slow motion video - Can shoot HD 720p video at 120 fps for playback at slow motion. Good for highlighting action.

• Timelapse mode - Built-in timelapse mode lets you easily shoot and compile timelapse movies in-camera.

• Scene modes - Includes scene modes to optimize settings for different situations like landscapes, night scenes, macro, etc.

User Interface

The Ricoh WG-80 has an intuitive and easy to use interface. The buttons are large and well-spaced, making them easy to press even when wearing gloves. There is a mode dial on the top to quickly switch between different shooting modes like auto, scene modes, video, and more.

The menu system uses large icons and text, so it's easy to navigate and change settings. Things are logically organized into shooting, setup, and tool menus. Important options like ISO, white balance, drive mode, and more have dedicated buttons to quickly access them.

Overall, the interface is streamlined for simplicity. Beginners should have no problem operating the WG-80 thanks to its straightforward design. At the same time, it doesn't hide any advanced options for more experienced photographers. The well-designed interface makes the camera enjoyable to use in any environment.

Connectivity

The Ricoh WG-80 has decent connectivity options for a rugged compact camera. It has a micro HDMI port which allows you to connect it directly to HD TVs for playback. For transferring photos and video, it relies on wireless connectivity rather than a wired USB option.

For wireless, the WG-80 has built-in WiFi which allows you to connect to smartphones through Ricoh's dedicated app. You can transfer photos to your phone, as well as remotely control the camera. It also has Bluetooth which provides a constant low-power connection between the camera and phone.

The lack of NFC is disappointing, as it requires a manual WiFi connection instead of quick tap-to-connect functionality. The WG-80 also lacks any GPS capability to geotag images. Overall the wireless options are fairly basic but get the job done for sharing images on the go. Lack of a wired USB option is a downside for power users who want to quickly transfer large files to a computer.

Battery Life

The Ricoh WG-80 offers decent battery life, thanks to its rechargeable D-LI92 lithium-ion battery. The battery is rated for 300 shots per charge, which is pretty good for a compact camera of this type.

In real-world use, you can expect to get 250-300 shots before needing to recharge. This allows you to shoot all day without worrying about running out of juice. The battery charges via USB, so you can top it up on the go if needed.

The battery life is comparable to other rugged, waterproof compacts like the Olympus Tough TG-6. It's not going to match higher-end mirrorless cameras, but it's very good for this category. Overall, the battery life is sufficient for a full day of shooting, making the WG-80 a capable companion for travel and outdoor adventures.

Durability

The Ricoh WG-80 has excellent durability features that allow it to withstand rugged outdoor use. It has an IPX8 waterproof rating, meaning it can withstand immersion in water up to depths of 20m. The camera is also shockproof - Ricoh claims it can withstand drops from heights of 1.6m. The WG-80 is freezeproof as well, able to operate in temperatures as low as -10°C. Additionally, it is crushproof up to 100kg.

The durable body is made of a lightweight plastic composite material. The buttons are raised for easy operation, even with gloves on. It also features a locking double battery cover to prevent accidental opening. Overall, the WG-80 can handle wet, dusty, sandy, and freezing conditions - ideal for adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts who need a rugged camera.

Conclusion

The Ricoh WG-80 is a solid rugged camera that excels in outdoor conditions. It offers impressive durability and waterproofing up to 14 meters, making it a great choice for adventures.

The 16MP sensor produces decent images and 4K video. While image quality suffers a bit in low light, the camera handles well overall. An array of shooting modes provides flexibility for various scenes. The 2.7" LCD is easy to see outdoors.

Some key pros of the WG-80:

• Extremely durable and waterproof construction
• Good image quality in daylight
• 4K and Full HD video options
• Macro mode for closeups
• Variety of shooting modes
• Reliable autofocus

Drawbacks to consider:

• Image quality drops in low light
• LCD could be larger
• Minimal manual controls
• No RAW support
• Mediocre battery life

Overall, the Ricoh WG-80 is a great rugged camera for those who need something that can withstand the elements. It performs well for outdoor photography and video needs. Just don't expect stellar image quality in low light. But if you need a durable, waterproof camera for adventure, the WG-80 is a solid choice.