Ricoh WG-6 vs Nikon D4 Comparison

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Ricoh WG-6

20 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) BSI-CMOS Sensor

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Nikon D4

16 MP | Full frame (36 x 23.9 mm) CMOS Sensor

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Ricoh WG-6 vs Nikon D4 Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two cameras with different body types: Ricoh WG-6, which was introduced in February 2018 is a Waterproof camera with a 20.0MP 1/2.3-inch sensor whereas Nikon D4, which was introduced in January 2012 is a Pro DSLR camera with a 16.0MP Full frame sensor. As you can see, D4 is 6 years older than WG-6. Let's see if this age difference between two cameras makes a big difference.

Comparing a DSLR camera to a Fixed Lens camera is not an easy task but we will do our best to make this a fair comparison.

Here is a brief look at the main features of Ricoh WG-6 and Nikon D4 before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Ricoh WG-6 Key Specs

Announcement Date: 2018-02-21

20MP - 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS Sensor

ISO 125 - 6400

28-140 mm F3.5-5.5 Zoom Lens

Digital only Image Stabilization

3" Fixed Type Screen

continuous shooting

4K (UHD) - 3840x2160 video resolution

246g. 118 x 66 x 33 mm

Weather Sealed Body

Replaced Ricoh WG-5 GPS Compare

Nikon D4 Key Specs

Announcement Date: 2012-01-06

16MP - Full frame CMOS Sensor

ISO 100 - 12800 ( expands to 50-204800)

Nikon F Mount

3.2" Fixed Type Screen

Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder

11 fps continuous shooting

Full HD - 1920 x 1080 video resolution

1340g. 160 x 157 x 91 mm

Weather Sealed Body

Replaced Nikon D3S Compare

Nikon D4 was replaced by Nikon D4s. You may also be interested in these comparisons:
Nikon D4s vs Nikon D4
Nikon D4s vs Ricoh WG-6

Let's read on the following sections in order to better understand in detail how Ricoh WG-6 and Nikon D4 compares and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.

Reasons to choose Ricoh WG-6 over Nikon D4

Image Stabilization	Digital only vs None	Sharper images at longer focal lengths and long exposures
Built-in Flash	Yes vs No	Useful in low-light
Face Detection Focus	Yes vs No	very handy for portraits
Max Sensor Resolution	20 MP vs 16 MP	25% more pixels
LCD Screen Resolution	1.040k dots vs 921k dots	12% higher resolution screen
Weight	246 g vs 1340 g	1094 g lighter
Max Video Resolution	3840x2160 vs 1920 x 1080	Higher Resolution Video
Digital video stabilization	Yes vs No	Stabilizes your videos in-camera

Reasons to choose Nikon D4 over Ricoh WG-6

External Flash Shoe	Yes vs No	Better for flash photography
Viewfinder	Optical vs None	Better framing and control
RAW Support	Yes vs No	Better image quality
Max ISO	12.800 vs 6.400	100% higher Max ISO
Number of Focus Points	51 vs 9	42 more focus points
LCD Screen Size	3.2" vs 3"	0.2 inches larger display
Max Mech. Shutter	1/8000s vs 1/4000s	faster mechanical shutter
Battery Life	2600 shots vs 340 shots	2260 more frames with a single charge
Manual Exposure	Yes vs No	better exposure control
Microphone Port	Yes vs No	High quality audio recording option
Headphone Port	Yes vs No	better video control
Sensor Pixel Area	53.24µm² vs 1.39µm²	3730% larger pixel area
Top LCD	Yes vs No	Help viewing and changing settings easily
Flash Sync Port	Yes vs No	Connect off-camera flash
Illuminated Buttons	Yes vs No	Find the buttons easily in dark
Storage Slot	2 vs 1	Extra storage slot
Autofocus at f/8 aperture	11 points vs none	Autofocus with teleconverters

Common Strengths of Ricoh WG-6 and Nikon D4

LCD Screen Size	3" vs 3.2"	Large display
Continuous Shooting	fps vs 11.0fps	Fast shooting speeds
Environmental Sealing	Yes vs Yes	shoot at tough conditions
Timelapse Recording	Yes vs Yes	creative shooting
AE Bracketing	Yes vs Yes	Useful for tough lighting conditions and HDR

Common Weaknesses of Ricoh WG-6 and Nikon D4

Fixed Screen	Fixed Type vs No	No flexible viewing angles

Ricoh WG-6 vs Nikon D4: Physical Specs and Body features Comparison

Size and weight is a big decision factor when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs. In this section, We are going to illustrate Ricoh WG-6 and Nikon D4 side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Ricoh WG-6 has external dimensions of 118 x 66 x 33 mm (4.65 x 2.6 x 1.3″) and weighs 246 g (0.54 lb / 8.68 oz) (including batteries). Nikon D4 has external dimensions of 160 x 157 x 91 mm (6.3 x 6.18 x 3.58″) and weighs 1340 g (2.95 lb / 47.27 oz) (including batteries).

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Ricoh WG-6 and Nikon D4. Ricoh WG-6 is clearly the smaller of the two cameras. Its body is 42mm narrower, 91mm shorter and 58mm thinner than Nikon D4. As you can tell, actually this is not a fair size comparison since Ricoh WG-6 has a built-in lens but Nikon D4 doesn't. Once you put a lens on D4, its thickness will increase significantly.

Comparison image of Ricoh WG-6 and Nikon D4 Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View

Here is the back view size comparison of Ricoh WG-6 and Nikon D4.

Comparison image of Ricoh WG-6 and Nikon D4 Size and Weight - Back View

Now lets look at the top view comparison of Ricoh WG-6 and Nikon D4.

Top View Comparison image of Ricoh WG-6 and Nikon D4 Size

Weight is another important factor especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day. Ricoh WG-6 is significantly lighter (1094g ) than the Nikon D4 which may become a big advantage especially on long walking trips.

Again, this comparison may not be very useful in real life as we are comparing the weight of a camera with a built-in lens to the body-only weight of an interchangeable lens camera. Once you put a lens on D4, the total kit will weigh much higher.

Weather Sealing

LCD Screen Size and Features

Nikon D4's 3.2" LCD screen is slightly larger than Ricoh WG-6's 3" screen.

Unfortunately, both cameras has fixed screens so they don't tilt or flip in directions.

Ricoh WG-6 vs Nikon D4: Sensor Comparison

Ricoh WG-6 has a 20.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor . On the other hand, Nikon D4 has a 16.0MP Full frame (36 x 23.9 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Expeed 3 processor.

Below you can see the WG-6 and D4 sensor size comparison.

Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Ricoh WG-6 and Nikon D4 Cameras

As seen above, Nikon D4 has a 30.7x Larger sensor area than Ricoh WG-6. Larger sensors give photographer more control on the depth of field and blurry background compared to smaller sensor when shot in same focal length and aperture.

What types of Photography are Ricoh WG-6 and Nikon D4 Good for?

In this section, we rank and compare Ricoh WG-6 and Nikon D4 for five different photography types in order to make your decision process easier in case you are specifically interested in one or more of these areas.

Ricoh WG-6 for Portrait Photography

POOR

Nikon D4 for Portrait Photography

AVERAGE

Very High Resolution Sensor: 20.0MP
Image Stabilization
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Exposure Mode
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details

Large Full frame (36 x 23.9 mm) sensor
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Good Ergonomics&Handling
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
No Image Stabilization
Read the details

Ricoh WG-6 for Street Photography

GOOD

Nikon D4 for Street Photography

AVERAGE

Image Stabilization
Small Body
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
28 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Built-in Viewfinder
Read the details

Large Full frame (36 x 23.9 mm) sensor
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Live-view
No Image Stabilization
Large Body
Read the details

Ricoh WG-6 for Sports Photography

POOR

Nikon D4 for Sports Photography

EXCELLENT

Image Stabilization
Environmental Sealings
Fast Max shutter speed: 1/4000s
140 mm Tele Lens
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Exposure Mode
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
9 Focus Points
Read the details

Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Good Ergonomics&Handling
Fast Continuous Shooting: 11.0fps
Environmental Sealings
Fast Max shutter speed: 1/8000s
15 Cross Type Focus sensors
51 Focus Points
Good Battery Life: 2600 shots
Good Low Light ISO
No Image Stabilization
Read the details

Ricoh WG-6 for Daily Photography

GOOD

Nikon D4 for Daily Photography

GOOD

Compact Body
Environmental Sealings
246g
5.0X Optical Zoom
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details

Large Full frame (36 x 23.9 mm) sensor
Environmental Sealings
Large Body
1340g
Body Thickness 91mm
Read the details

Ricoh WG-6 for Landscape Photography

POOR

Nikon D4 for Landscape Photography

AVERAGE

Very High Resolution Sensor: 20.0MP
28 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Environmental Sealings
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Manual Exposure Mode
Read the details

Large Full frame (36 x 23.9 mm) sensor
Environmental Sealings
Live-view
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Read the details

Ricoh WG-6 vs Nikon D4: OUR DECISION

You may have already made your decision about which camera suits better for your needs and your budget so far but in case you wonder how we rated Ricoh WG-6 and Nikon D4, below you can find their scores in five different aspects. Our Decision Algorithm dynamically scores cameras using 63 different specs, current price and DxO Mark scores (where possible) in order to make a more objective and consistent comparison.

Here is a summary of how Ricoh WG-6 and Nikon D4 scores compare:

Ricoh WG-6

Imaging

Features

Value

Portability

Overall

Ranked #72 out of 475 in Compact cameras
Ranked #513 out of 1226 in all Cameras

Nikon D4

Imaging

Features

Value

Portability

Overall

Ranked #7 out of 36 in Large SLR cameras
Ranked #127 out of 1226 in all Cameras

Nikon D4 is the overall winner of this comparison. It has a higher Overall Score and beats Ricoh WG-6 in all criteria except one: Portability.
If small size and light body is a big priority for you, choose Ricoh WG-6. Otherwise, Nikon D4 is the better camera overall.

Nikon D4 vs Ricoh WG-6 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General	Ricoh WG-6	Nikon D4
Brand	Ricoh	Nikon
Announced	2018-02-21	2012-01-06
Body Type	Compact	Large SLR
Sensor
Type	BSI-CMOS	CMOS
Size	1/2.3-inch	Full frame
Dimensions	6.17 x 4.55 mm	36 x 23.9 mm
Area	28.07mm²	860.40mm²
Megapixels	20 megapixels	16 megapixels
Max Resolution	5184 x 3888	4928 x 3280
Max Native Light sensitivity	6,400 ISO	12,800 ISO
Max Boosted Light Sensitivity	-	204800 ISO
Min Native Light sensitivity	125 ISO	100 ISO
Min Boosted Light Sensitivity	-	50 ISO
RAW Support
Autofocus
AF Touch
AF Continuous
AF Single
AF Tracking
AF Selective
AF Center
AF Multi Area
AF Live View
AF Face Detection
AF Contrast Detection
AF Phase Detection
Number of Focus Points	9	51
Lens
Manual Focus
Lens Mount	fixed lens	Nikon F
Lens Focal Range	28-140 mm (5x)	no lens
Max Aperture	F3.5-5.5	no lens
Macro Focus Range	1cm	no lens
Screen
Type	Fixed type	Fixed type
Size	3"	3.2"
Resolution	1,040k dots	921k dots
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Viewfinder	None	Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage	n/a	100%
Viewfinder Magnification	n/a	0.7x
Photography Features
Max Mechanical Shutter	1/4000s	1/8000s
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Custom White Balance
Image Stabilization	Digital only	No
Built-in Flash
Flash Range	5.50 m (with Auto ISO)	no built-in flash
Max Flash Sync	n/a	1/250s
External Flash
Continuous Shooting	n/a	11.0 fps
Multi-Segment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF-Area
Center Weighted
AE Bracketing
WB Bracketing
Video Features
Max Video Resolution	3840x2160	1920 x 1080
Video Formats	MPEG-4, H.264	MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity	Supports FlashAir SD cards	Optional
HDMI
Physical
Environmental Sealing
Weight	246g	1340g
Dimensions	118 x 66 x 33mm	160 x 157 x 91mm
Battery Life	340 shots	2600 shots
Other Features
Timelapse Recording
GPS	Built-in	Optional
DxO Sensor Scores
DxO Overall Score	not tested	89
DxO Color Depth	not tested	24.7
DxO Dynamic Range	not tested	13.1
DxO Low Light ISO	not tested	2965
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