RICOH WG-70 Black Waterproof Digital Camera 16MP High resolution images Waterproof 14m Shockproof 1.6m Underwater Photography 6-LED Ring Light Digital Microscope Mode Tough body design for workplace

Product Information

There’s not that much to see on the top panel,but it’s more about feel. You won’t get mixed up between the power button and shutter release because of the size difference. The power button is also slightly recessed, to avoid accidental operation, but you might have a struggle to turn the camera on and off wearing gloves. Here’s the Ricoh WG-70 at it’s wide angle 28mm equivalent setting. At this focal length the maximum aperture is f3.5, not particularly bright, but average for underwater cameras with folded optics like the WG-70. If you looking for a camera that performs particularly well in low light that would be the Olympus TOUGH TG-6 which boasts a brighter f2 at its 25mm equivalent wide angle setting. I can get so close that the lens "cap" touches the subject! The quality of the detail from being so close is amazing. I often say, "I had no idea they looked like that!" The camera reveals what would otherwise be invisible to me. My more expensive Sony point-and-shoot cannot get nearly as close and stay in focus. On both cameras we get an ISO range manually selectable from ISO125 up to ISO6400 equivalent, with the ability to set the automatic functionality of the camera to only shoot within pre-defined ISO parameters. With tweak-able exposure compensation a modest +/- 2EV, it all feels a little underpowered.

The bottom of this camera features an off-centre screw thread for a tripod and a catch-operated slide and open compartment housing the WG-70’s battery and media card, as previously detailed. We test camera resolution, dynamic range and noise under scientifically controlled conditions using two key testing tools: Imatest Master and DxO Analyzer. All DSLRs and mirrorless cameras are subjected to these tests and, in some instances, high-end compact cameras. A ‘one size fits all’ option for holidaymakers, this Agfa branded camera with flip-up plastic ‘sports finder’ can function in the wet as well as the dry – and greatly aids accurate composition underwater.

Cross Processing is an effect popular among our products, which allows you to enjoy unique photographic expressions. With WG-70, this mode is added to Image Tone, which can be selected with several shooting modes including, P (Program). The parameters of the image is adjusted to give a unique color-changed finish, like a cross-processed film ***. Both the Olympus TOUGH TG-6 and Nikon W300 offer Wi-fi in addition to a host of other built-in sensors. In the TOUGH TG-6 there’s a manometer for altitude and depth recording, an electronic compass, and a temperature sensor, while the Nikon W300 sports GPS, Bluetooth, a barometer and electronic compass. Dynamic range (DxO Analyzer):This is a measure of a camera’s ability to capture detail in the highlights and shadows. We use DxO’s transmissive chart, which enables us to test a dynamic range of 13.3 stops.

Enthusiasts are going to feel disappointed that there is only the option here to shoot JPEG files rather than Raw, but then enthusiast photographers aren’t exactly the market for this camera. Here it’s all about having a means of capturing images that you might not attempt with a smartphone; even though said smartphone may actually give you better end results in terms of images and video these days. Here, instead of the macro light, I’ve made use of the WG-70’s built-in flash and I think you’ll agree the result is much better. The flash is mounted at the top left of the front panel and has a range of 0.2 to 5.5 metres at 1600ISO.Noise (DxO Analyzer):We use the dynamic range transmissive chart to analyze the signal-to-noise ratio for RAW and JPG files at every sensitivity setting using DxO Analyzer. A higher value means the signal is cleaner. Enjoy the high-definition image quality offered by a camera with an approximately 16 effective megapixels, a lens with 5× optical zoom starting from a wide-angle of 28 mm *, and image processing incorporating “ultra-high resolution” technology. With lighting provided by six LED lamps positioned around the lens, Digital Microscope mode supports super macro photography. At the default image size of 2M, the WG-80 offers up to 6.6× zoom for astonishing results that look almost like they were taken with a microscope. The WG-80 offers new image size options of up to 12M * that further enhance the potential of Digital Microscope mode with pictures that can be printed at large sizes or cropped during post-processing. The Ricoh WG-70 handled chromatic aberrations fairly well during the review, with purple and green fringing present around the edges of objects in high-contrast situations, as shown in the examples below.

All of the sample images in this review were taken using the 20 megapixel SuperFine JPEG setting, which produces an average image size of around 7Mb.We’d suggest therefore that while this rugged camera is suitable for a range of uses, it’s not quite the master of all. So you probably only want to be considering buying it if you’re going to be using it in scenarios where you wouldn’t normally risk use of a smartphone, DSLR or mirrorless – such jumping in the swimming pool, a day at the beach or ski slope. Macro stand (included) to maintain a minimum focusing distance of one centimeter to the subject during extended observation and shooting of macro images Specifically designed for underwater photography, the image processing of Underwater and Underwater Movie shooting modes optimize color, contrast, and white balance, based on the data of images captured under the water. These modes deliver sharp, true-to-life images by enhancing shades of red, which are lost in underwater photography, while effectively compensating for the loss of contrast caused by the diffusion of light in water. During Underwater mode, the Flash Off + Flash On option, allows the user to consecutively capture two images — with a single shutter release — one without flash and another with flash. The Ricoh WG-70 is a new waterproof digital compact camera that can be used in depths down to 14 meters, with enhanced features that include the Digital Microscope mode. The camera has lots of features for those who prefer more than an Auto setting. For those who don't, just put it on Auto and point-and-shoot. Another big plus is that the battery lasts a long time relative to other cameras I have.

WATERPROOF 14M: With features that include uncompromising waterproofing - good for 2 hours of continuous use at a depth of 14 meters A film development technique that uses unconventional film development to create a distinctive finish with dramatic, stylized colors. Delve deeper into the Ricoh WG-70’s specifications and a number of other shortcomings come to light. First, let’s take a look at that 2.7 inch 230k dot LCD screen. Like so much about the WG-70, it’s adequate, but a bit of a disappointment on a 2020 model. Particularly when you look at what the competition has to offer – a 3 inch 1040k dot screen on the TOUGH TG-6 and a 3 inch 920k dot screen on the COOLPIX W300. Outdoor-friendly Style Watch function to display the time on the LCD monitor, using an extended push of the OK button when the camera’s power is turned off

The Ricoh WG-70's flash has three modes: Auto, On, Off, plus a separate setting to enable or disable red-eye reduction. Whether this is active or not, the camera successfully avoids any trace of red-eye. 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. Since 2021, Olympus cameras have been sold under the OM System name. The Olympus TG-6 was our favorite waterproof compact camera - and this has now been reborn as the OM System TG-7. It is pretty much identical - but that is a good thing in our book, and ensures this newer version remains at the top of our recommendations for a rugged camera. Features we love include the built-in microscope setting that allows you to take amazing close-ups - and a Field Sensor System that records GPS coordinates and ambient temperature with your shots.