Olympus E-500 vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS

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      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Olympus E-500 and the Ricoh WG-4 GPS, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Olympus E-500 was introduced in October 2005 and Ricoh WG-4 GPS was introduced in February 2014. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Olympus E-500 Highlights

      • 8 MP Micro Four Thirds CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 400 Native ISO
      • 3 Focus Points
      • 2.5" 215k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 2.5 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Ricoh WG-4 GPS Highlights

      • 16 MP 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS Sensor
      • 125 - 6,400 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 460k dot Fixed Screen
      • 1.5 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      • Built-in GPS
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Olympus E-500 and Ricoh WG-4 GPS.

      PROS

      Olympus E-500

      Ricoh WG-4 GPS

      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Light - 479 g (1.06 lb / 16.90 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Cheap
      •   Video Capture
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 235 g (0.52 lb / 8.29 oz)
      •   Internal Storage
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Olympus E-500

      Ricoh WG-4 GPS

      •   No Video Capture
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 8 Megapixel
      •   400 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 215k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Small Sensor
      •   125 Lowest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.5 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   Short Battery Life - 240 shots


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Olympus E-500

      Ricoh WG-4 GPS

      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16 Megapixel
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec

      Advantage of Olympus E-500

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Olympus E-500 over Ricoh WG-4 GPS.

      Olympus E-500 vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS
      Larger Sensor Micro Four Thirds vs 1/2.3-inch
      Lower Native ISO 100 vs 125
      RAW Support vs
      Selective Autofocus vs
      Phase Detection for Autofocus vs
      Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) vs
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 60 sec vs 4 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 2.5 fps vs 1.5 fps
      External Flash Connectivity vs
      Manual Exposure Mode vs
      Aperture Priority vs

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Olympus E-500.

      Advantage of Ricoh WG-4 GPS

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Ricoh WG-4 GPS over Olympus E-500.

      Olympus E-500 vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS
      Video Capture vs
      Higher Sensor Resolution 8 Megapixel vs 16 Megapixel
      Higher Native ISO 400 vs 6,400
      Max Image Resolution 3264 x 2448 vs 4608 x 3456
      Timelapse Recording vs
      More Focus Points 3 vs 9
      Center Autofocus vs
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Face Detection vs
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Image Stabilization vs
      Larger Screen 2.5" vs 3.0"
      Higher Resolution Screen 215k dot vs 460k dot
      Live View vs
      Multi-Segment Metering vs
      Center Weighted Metering vs
      Spot Metering vs
      HDMI Output vs Micro
      Built-in Microphone vs Mono
      Built-in GPS vs
      Environmental Sealing vs
      Water Proof vs
      Shock Proof vs
      Crush Proof vs
      Freeze Proof vs
      Lighter 479 g (1.06 lb / 16.90 oz) vs 235 g (0.52 lb / 8.29 oz)
      Internal Storage vs 70 MB

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Ricoh WG-4 GPS.

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Olympus E-500 Ricoh WG-4 GPS
        Built-in Flash
        Light479 g (1.06 lb / 16.90 oz)235 g (0.52 lb / 8.29 oz)
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Olympus E-500 Ricoh WG-4 GPS
        Small SensorMicro Four Thirds1/2.3-inch
        Few Focus Points39
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Resolution Screen215k dot460k dot
        Low Max Continuous Shooting2.5 fps1.5 fps
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Olympus E-500 has a 2.5" screen with 215k dot resolution and Ricoh WG-4 GPS has a 3.0" screen with 460k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.


      Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder on Olympus E-500

      Olympus E-500 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 95% coverage and 0.90x (0.45x 35mm equivalent) magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Ricoh WG-4 GPS.

      Sensor

      Olympus E-500 features a 8 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CCD sensor with dimensions of 17.3 x 13 mm and a total area of 224.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 400 and expands to 100 - 1,600 in boosted mode. Ricoh WG-4 GPS features a 16 megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 125 - 6,400.

      Ricoh WG-4 GPS has BSI-CMOS sensor, short for Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor sensor. In traditional CMOS sensors, the wiring and circuitry are located on the front side of the sensor, which can block some of the incoming light. BSI technology flips this design by placing the photosensitive elements (pixels) on the backside of the sensor, allowing more light to reach the pixels. This significantly enhances light sensitivity and improves low-light performance. BSI-CMOS sensors are particularly effective in low-light conditions, as they can capture more light, resulting in brighter and less noisy images. This makes them well-suited for indoor and night photography. BSI-CMOS sensors deliver a higher SNR and reduced cross-talk.

      Photography Features

      Olympus E-500 can take pictures up to 3264 x 2448 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3200 x 2400, 2560 x 1920, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480 with 4:3 aspect ratios. Ricoh WG-4 GPS can take pictures up to 4608 x 3456 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4608 x 2592, 3456 x 3456, 3072 x 2304, 3072 x 1728, 2592 x 1464, 2048 x 1536, 1920 x 1080, 640 x 480 with 1:1, 4:3, 16:9 aspect ratios.

      Image Stabilization on Ricoh WG-4 GPS

      Ricoh WG-4 GPS has an image stabilization.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      Built-in GPS on Ricoh WG-4 GPS

      Ricoh WG-4 GPS has a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) technology which allows you to automatically tag the location where you took your photos. You can later categorize, organize, and search for photos based on location. This is very useful for travel and outdoor photographers for documenting the locations where images were captured.
        Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in GPS.


      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Ricoh WG-4 GPS comes with D-LI92 battery pack with battery life of 240 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Olympus E-500 has a single Compact Flash (Type I/II), xD Picture Card card slot. Ricoh WG-4 GPS has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Olympus E-500, and up to 1/4000 sec on Ricoh WG-4 GPS. Olympus E-500 can shoot continuously up to 2.5 fps. Ricoh WG-4 GPS can shoot continuously up to 1.5 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 13.00 m at ISO 100 on Olympus E-500 and 10.00 m Auto ISO on Ricoh WG-4 GPS. Olympus E-500 also accepts external flash. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/180 sec on Olympus E-500.

      Physical Parameters

      Olympus E-500 body has dimensions of 130 x 95 x 66 mm (5.12 x 3.74 x 2.6") and Ricoh WG-4 GPS body has dimensions of 124 x 64 x 33 mm (4.88 x 2.52 x 1.3"). Olympus E-500 weighs 479 g (1.06 lb / 16.90 oz) and Ricoh WG-4 GPS weighs 235 g (0.52 lb / 8.29 oz).

      Olympus E-500

      Ricoh WG-4 GPS

      130 mm

      95 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      124 mm

      64 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      Size comparisons of Olympus E-500 and Ricoh WG-4 GPS

      Olympus E-500 and Ricoh WG-4 GPS for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Olympus E-500

      Ricoh WG-4 GPS

      POOR
      50
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 215k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      76
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Olympus E-500

      Ricoh WG-4 GPS

      POOR
      53
      •   400 Highest Native ISO
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 215k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      71
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.5 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 240 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Olympus E-500

      Ricoh WG-4 GPS

      POOR
      51
      •   400 Highest Native ISO
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 215k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      72
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.5 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 240 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Olympus E-500

      Ricoh WG-4 GPS

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Small Sensor
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 215k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      71
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Olympus E-500

      Ricoh WG-4 GPS

      GOOD
      76
      •   Small Sensor
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 215k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 479 g (1.06 lb / 16.90 oz)
      EXCELLENT
      87
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 235 g (0.52 lb / 8.29 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Olympus E-500

      Ricoh WG-4 GPS

      GOOD
      81
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 215k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 479 g (1.06 lb / 16.90 oz)
      EXCELLENT
      91
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 235 g (0.52 lb / 8.29 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 240 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Olympus E-500 and Ricoh WG-4 GPS and give them scores of 51 and 63 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Olympus E-500

      Ricoh WG-4 GPS

      OVERALL
      51
      OVERALL
      63

      Sensor

      Olympus E-500

      Ricoh WG-4 GPS

      POOR
      54
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 8 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   400 Highest Native ISO
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16 Megapixel
      •   125 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Olympus E-500

      Ricoh WG-4 GPS

      POOR
      52
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      AVERAGE
      66
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.5 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Video

      Olympus E-500

      Ricoh WG-4 GPS

      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization
      POOR
      46
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080

      Focusing

      Olympus E-500

      Ricoh WG-4 GPS

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      GOOD
      71
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Olympus E-500

      Ricoh WG-4 GPS

      AVERAGE
      67
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 215k dot
      POOR
      53
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Connectivity

      Olympus E-500

      Ricoh WG-4 GPS

      POOR
      40
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      AVERAGE
      62
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Olympus E-500

      Ricoh WG-4 GPS

      POOR
      44
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 479 g (1.06 lb / 16.90 oz)
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 235 g (0.52 lb / 8.29 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 240 shots
      •   Internal Storage


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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