Canon G1 X vs Ricoh WG-60

The Canon PowerShot G1 X and the Ricoh WG-60 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in January 2012 and October 2018. Both the G1X and the WG-60 are fixed lens compact cameras that are based on an 1.5-inch (G1X) and a 1/2.3-inch (WG-60) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 14.2 megapixels, whereas the Ricoh provides 15.9 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Canon G1 X		Ricoh WG-60
Fixed lens compact camera		Fixed lens compact camera
28-112mm f/2.8-5.8		28-140mm f/3.5-5.5
14.2 MP, 1.5" Sensor		15.9 MP, 1/2.3" Sensor
1080/24p Video		1080/60p Video
ISO 100-12,800		ISO 125-6,400
Optical viewfinder		No viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0 LCD, 922k dots		2.7 LCD, 230k dots
no rear screen		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
1.9 shutter flaps per second		8 shutter flaps per second
not weather sealed		Waterproof body (14m)
250 shots per battery charge		300 shots per battery charge
117 x 81 x 65 mm, 534 g		123 x 62 x 30 mm, 193 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot G1 X and the Ricoh WG-60? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon G1 X and the Ricoh WG-60. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The WG-60 can be obtained in two different colors (black, red), while the G1X is only available in black.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Ricoh WG-60 is notably smaller (20 percent) than the Canon G1 X. Moreover, the WG-60 is substantially lighter (64 percent) than the G1X. It is noteworthy in this context that the WG-60 is splash and dust-proof, while the G1X does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing. More than that, the WG-60 is water-proof up to 14m and can, thus, be used for underwater photography.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon G1 X	117 mm	81 mm	65 mm	534 g	250	n	Jan 2012	799
2.		Ricoh WG-60	123 mm	62 mm	30 mm	193 g	300	Y	Oct 2018	279
3.		Canon G1 X Mark II	116 mm	74 mm	66 mm	553 g	240	n	Feb 2014	799
4.		Canon G16	109 mm	76 mm	40 mm	356 g	360	n	Aug 2013	549
5.		Canon S120	100 mm	59 mm	29 mm	217 g	230	n	Aug 2013	449
6.		Canon SX50	123 mm	87 mm	106 mm	595 g	315	n	Sep 2012	429
7.		Canon T4i	133 mm	100 mm	79 mm	575 g	440	n	Jun 2012	849
8.		Canon T3	130 mm	100 mm	78 mm	495 g	700	n	Feb 2011	449
9.		Canon T1i	129 mm	98 mm	62 mm	520 g	400	n	Mar 2009	799
10.		Canon XSi	129 mm	98 mm	62 mm	524 g	500	n	Jan 2008	799
11.		Fujifilm XP140	110 mm	71 mm	28 mm	207 g	240	Y	Feb 2019	229
12.		Fujifilm XP130	110 mm	71 mm	28 mm	207 g	240	n	Jan 2018	229
13.		Fujifilm XP120	110 mm	71 mm	28 mm	203 g	210	Y	Jan 2017	229
14.		Leica V-LUX 4	125 mm	87 mm	110 mm	588 g	540	n	Sep 2012	949
15.		Leica V-LUX 3	124 mm	81 mm	95 mm	540 g	410	n	Dec 2011	949
16.		Nikon W300	112 mm	66 mm	29 mm	231 g	280	Y	May 2017	389
17.		Sony WX800	102 mm	58 mm	36 mm	233 g	370	n	Oct 2018	399
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The WG-60 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 65 percent) than the G1X, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon G1 X features an 1.5-inch sensor and the Ricoh WG-60 a 1/2.3-inch sensor. The sensor area in the WG-60 is 89 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.85 and 5.6. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the WG-60 offers a higher resolution of 15.9 megapixels, compared with 14.2 MP of the G1X. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 1.33μm versus 4.30μm for the G1X). However, it should be noted that the WG-60 is much more recent (by 6 years and 9 months) than the G1X, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the WG-60 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Ricoh WG-60 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the WG-60 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 23 x 17.3 inches or 58.5 x 43.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 18.4 x 13.8 inches or 46.8 x 35.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 15.4 x 11.5 inches or 39 x 29.3 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon G1 X are 21.8 x 16.3 inches or 55.3 x 41.5 cm for good quality, 17.4 x 13.1 inches or 44.2 x 33.2 cm for very good quality, and 14.5 x 10.9 inches or 36.8 x 27.6 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon PowerShot G1 X has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Ricoh WG-60 are ISO 125 to ISO 6400 (no boost).

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Canon G1 X	1.5-inch	14.2	4352	3264	1080/24p	21.7	10.8	644	60
2.		Ricoh WG-60	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
3.		Canon G1 X Mark II	1.5-inch	13.0	4160	3120	1080/30p	21.5	10.8	581	58
4.		Canon G16	1/1.7	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	21.0	11.7	230	54
5.		Canon S120	1/1.7	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	21.3	11.9	246	56
6.		Canon SX50	1/2.3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/24p	20.3	11.2	179	47
7.		Canon T4i	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.7	11.2	722	62
8.		Canon T3	APS-C	12.2	4272	2848	720/30p	21.9	11.0	755	62
9.		Canon T1i	APS-C	15.1	4752	3168	1080/20p	21.7	11.5	663	63
10.		Canon XSi	APS-C	12.2	4272	2848	none	21.9	10.8	692	61
11.		Fujifilm XP140	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	4K/15p	..	..	..	..
12.		Fujifilm XP130	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
13.		Fujifilm XP120	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
14.		Leica V-LUX 4	1/2.3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
15.		Leica V-LUX 3	1/2.3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
16.		Nikon W300	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
17.		Sony WX800	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	4K/30p	..	..	..	..

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the WG-60 provides a faster frame rate than the G1X. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/60p, while the Canon is limited to 1080/24p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the G1X has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the WG-60 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon G1 X, the Ricoh WG-60, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Canon G1 X	optical	n	3.0	922	Swivel	n	1/4000s	1.9	Y	Y
2.		Ricoh WG-60	none	n	2.7	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	8.0	Y	n
3.		Canon G1 X Mark II	optional	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	5.2	Y	Y
4.		Canon G16	optical	n	3.0	922	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.2	Y	Y
5.		Canon S120	none	n	3.0	922	fixed	Y	1/2000s	12.1	Y	Y
6.		Canon SX50	202	n	3.0	461	swivel	n	1/2000s	2.2	Y	Y
7.		Canon T4i	optical	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
8.		Canon T3	optical	n	2.7	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
9.		Canon T1i	optical	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.4	Y	n
10.		Canon XSi	optical	n	3.0	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.5	Y	n
11.		Fujifilm XP140	none	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
12.		Fujifilm XP130	none	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
13.		Fujifilm XP120	none	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
14.		Leica V-LUX 4	1312	n	3.0	460	swivel	n	1/4000s	12.0	Y	Y
15.		Leica V-LUX 3	202	n	3.0	460	swivel	n	1/2000s	12.0	Y	Y
16.		Nikon W300	none	n	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/4000s	7.0	Y	Y
17.		Sony WX800	none	n	3.0	922	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y

The Ricoh WG-60 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Both the G1X and the WG-60 have zoom lenses built in. The G1X has a 28-112mm f/2.8-5.8 optic and the WG-60 offers a 28-140mm f/3.5-5.5 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the Canon and Ricoh provide the same view at the wide-angle end, but the Ricoh has more tele-photo reach at the long end. The G1X offers the faster maximum aperture.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the G1X and the WG-60 write their files to SDXC cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon PowerShot G1 X and Ricoh WG-60 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Canon G1 X	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
2.		Ricoh WG-60	-	mono	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	-	-	-
3.		Canon G1 X Mark II	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
4.		Canon G16	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
5.		Canon S120	-	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
6.		Canon SX50	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
7.		Canon T4i	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
8.		Canon T3	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Canon T1i	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
10.		Canon XSi	Y	-	-	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Fujifilm XP140	-	mono	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
12.		Fujifilm XP130	-	mono	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
13.		Fujifilm XP120	-	mono	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
14.		Leica V-LUX 4	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
15.		Leica V-LUX 3	Y	stereo	-	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
16.		Nikon W300	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
17.		Sony WX800	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-

It is notable that the G1X has a hotshoe, while the WG-60 does not. This socket makes it possible to easily attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun.

The WG-60 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Ricoh. In contrast, the G1X has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the G1X was succeeded by the Canon G1X Mark II. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Canon and Ricoh websites.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Canon G1 X better than the Ricoh WG-60 or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Reasons to prefer the Canon PowerShot G1 X:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
• Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
• Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.7") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (922k vs 230k dots).
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/2.8 vs f/3.5).
• Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
• Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in January 2012).

Arguments in favor of the Ricoh WG-60:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (15.9 vs 14.2MP), which boosts linear resolution by 6%.
• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/60p versus 1080/24p).
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (8 vs 1.9 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• More tele-reach: Has a longer tele-lens for perspective compression and subject magnification.
• More compact: Is smaller (123x62mm vs 117x81mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 341g or 64 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (300 versus 250) out of a single battery charge.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• Water-proof: Is rugged and sealed and can thus be used for underwater photography (up to 14m).
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (65 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 6 years and 9 months of technical progress since the G1X launch.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the match-up finishes in a tie (13 points each). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon G1 X and the Ricoh WG-60 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Travel-Zoom Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the G1X or the WG-60. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon G1 X	5/5	+	76/100	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2012	799
2.		Ricoh WG-60	..	..	..	..	..	Oct 2018	279
3.		Canon G1 X Mark II	3/5	+	77/100	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2014	799
4.		Canon G16	4/5	+	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2013	549
5.		Canon S120	..	+ +	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2013	449
6.		Canon SX50	3/5	+ +	72/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2012	429
7.		Canon T4i	4/5	+ +	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2012	849
8.		Canon T3	..	80/100	69/100	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2011	449
9.		Canon T1i	..	+ +	74/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2009	799
10.		Canon XSi	..	+ +	+ +	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2008	799
11.		Fujifilm XP140	..	+	..	3.5/5	4/5	Feb 2019	229
12.		Fujifilm XP130	..	o	..	3.5/5	4/5	Jan 2018	229
13.		Fujifilm XP120	..	o	..	3.5/5	4/5	Jan 2017	229
14.		Leica V-LUX 4	..	..	..	..	..	Sep 2012	949
15.		Leica V-LUX 3	..	..	..	..	..	Dec 2011	949
16.		Nikon W300	..	+	..	4/5	4/5	May 2017	389
17.		Sony WX800	..	..	..	..	..	Oct 2018	399
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Other camera comparisons

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Specifications: Canon G1 X vs Ricoh WG-60

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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