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Nikon B500 vs Ricoh WG-60

The Nikon Coolpix B500 and the Ricoh WG-60 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in January 2016 and October 2018. Both the B500 and the WG-60 are fixed lens compact cameras that are equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 15.9 megapixels.

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

Headline Specifications
Nikon B500
versus
Ricoh WG-60
Nikon B500   Ricoh WG-60
Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
22.5-900mm f/3.0-6.5 28-140mm f/3.5-5.5
15.9 MP – 1/2.3" sensor 15.9 MP – 1/2.3" sensor
1080/60i Video 1080/60p Video
ISO 80-6,400 ISO 125-6,400
No viewfinder, LCD framing No viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0" LCD – 921k dots 2.7" LCD – 230k dots
Tilting screen (no touchscreen) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
7.4 shutter flaps per second 8 shutter flaps per second
not weather sealedWaterproof body (14m)
600 shots per battery charge300 shots per battery charge
114 x 78 x 95 mm, 541 g 123 x 62 x 30 mm, 193 g
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Check WG-60 offers at
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon Coolpix B500 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.

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Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Nikon B500 and the Ricoh WG-60 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Both cameras are available in two different colors (black, red).

Size Nikon B500 vs Ricoh WG-60
Compare B500 versus WG-60 top
Comparison B500 or WG-60 rear

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 (14 percent) than the Nikon B500. Moreover, the WG-60 is substantially lighter (64 percent) than the B500. It is noteworthy in this context that the WG-60 is splash and dust-proof, while the B500 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 following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon B500 114 mm 78 mm 95 mm 541 g 600 n Jan 2016 299ebay.com
2.
 
Ricoh WG-60 123 mm 62 mm 30 mm 193 g 300 Y Oct 2018 279ebay.com
3.
 
Fujifilm XP130 110 mm 71 mm 28 mm 207 g 240 Y Jan 2018 229ebay.com
4.
 
Fujifilm XP120 110 mm 71 mm 28 mm 203 g 210 Y Jan 2017 229ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon B600 122 mm 82 mm 99 mm 500 g 280 n Jan 2019 349ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon A1000 114 mm 72 mm 41 mm 330 g 250 n Jan 2019 429ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon P1000 146 mm 119 mm 181 mm 1415 g 250 n Jul 2018 999 amazon.com
8.
 
Nikon W300 112 mm 66 mm 29 mm 231 g 280 Y May 2017 389ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon B700 125 mm 85 mm 107 mm 565 g 350 n Feb 2016 499ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon P900 140 mm 103 mm 137 mm 899 g 360 n Mar 2015 599ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon L840 113 mm 78 mm 96 mm 538 g 590 n Feb 2015 299ebay.com
12.
 
Panasonic FZ80 130 mm 94 mm 119 mm 616 g 330 n Jan 2017 399ebay.com
13.
 
Pentax WG-90 123 mm 62 mm 30 mm 194 g 300 Y Nov 2023 279 amazon.com
14.
 
Sony WX800 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 233 g 370 n Oct 2018 399ebay.com
15.
 
Sony HX80 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 245 g 390 n Mar 2016 349ebay.com
16.
 
Sony H200 123 mm 83 mm 87 mm 530 g 240 n Jan 2013 249ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The WG-60 was somewhat cheaper (by 7 percent) than the B500 at launch, but both cameras fall into the same price category. 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 size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature a 1/2.3-inch sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 5.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

Nikon B500 and Ricoh WG-60 sensor measures

The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 15.9 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the B500 and the WG-60 have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the WG-60 is much more recent (by 2 years and 9 months) than the B500, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The Nikon Coolpix B500 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 80 to ISO 6400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Ricoh WG-60 are ISO 125 to ISO 6400 (no boost).

In terms of underlying technology, the B500 is build around a BSI-CMOS sensor, while the WG-60 uses a CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

B500 versus WG-60 MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. 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 table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Nikon B500 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/60i20.311.781048
2.
 
Ricoh WG-60 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/60p20.612.2107251
3.
 
Fujifilm XP130 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/60p20.612.1100051
4.
 
Fujifilm XP120 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/60p20.511.990049
5.
 
Nikon B600 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/30p20.712.2109552
6.
 
Nikon A1000 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34564K/30p20.712.2109552
7.
 
Nikon P1000 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34564K/30p20.612.1104451
8.
 
Nikon W300 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34564K/30p20.512.093850
9.
 
Nikon B700 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.411.881848
10.
 
Nikon P900 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/60p20.211.672747
11.
 
Nikon L840 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/60i20.211.672147
12.
 
Panasonic FZ80 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36724K/30p20.511.990049
13.
 
Pentax WG-90 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/60p20.912.8157054
14.
 
Sony WX800 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36724K/30p20.612.2107051
15.
 
Sony HX80 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36721080/60p20.411.882248
16.
 
Sony H200 1/2.3 15.2 5184 2930720/30p19.911.252944
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the B500 provides a higher frame rate than the WG-60. It can shoot video footage at 1080/60i, while the Ricoh is limited to 1080/60p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The B500 and the WG-60 are similar in the sense that neither of the two has a viewfinder. The images are, thus, framed using live view on the rear LCD. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Nikon B500 and Ricoh WG-60 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Nikon B500none n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 7.4/s Y Y
2.
 
Ricoh WG-60none n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n
3.
 
Fujifilm XP130none n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
4.
 
Fujifilm XP120none n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
5.
 
Nikon B600none n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 7.4/s Y Y
6.
 
Nikon A10001166 n3.0 / 1036 tilting Y 1/4000s 7.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Nikon P10002359 n3.2 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y Y
8.
 
Nikon W300none n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y Y
9.
 
Nikon B700921 n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Nikon P900921 n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y Y
11.
 
Nikon L840none n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 7.4/s Y Y
12.
 
Panasonic FZ801166 n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
13.
 
Pentax WG-90none n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n
14.
 
Sony WX800none n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
15.
 
Sony HX80638 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
16.
 
Sony H200none n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/1500s 0.8/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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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 B500 and the WG-60 have zoom lenses built in. The B500 has a 22.5-900mm f/3.0-6.5 optic and the WG-60 offers a 28-140mm f/3.5-5.5 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the Nikon provides a wider angle of view at the short end, as well as more tele-photo reach at the long end than the Ricoh. The B500 offers the faster maximum aperture.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the B500 and the WG-60 write their files to SDXC cards.

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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 Nikon Coolpix B500 and Ricoh WG-60 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Nikon B500-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
2.
 
Ricoh WG-60-mono / mono--micro2.0---
3.
 
Fujifilm XP130-mono / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
4.
 
Fujifilm XP120-mono / mono--micro2.0Y--
5.
 
Nikon B600-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
6.
 
Nikon A1000-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
7.
 
Nikon P1000Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
8.
 
Nikon W300-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
9.
 
Nikon B700-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
10.
 
Nikon P900-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
11.
 
Nikon L840-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
12.
 
Panasonic FZ80Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
13.
 
Pentax WG-90-mono / mono--micro2.0---
14.
 
Sony WX800-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
15.
 
Sony HX80-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
16.
 
Sony H200-mono / mono---2.0---
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It is notable that the B500 offers wifi support, while the WG-60 does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

Both the B500 and the WG-60 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The B500 was replaced by the Nikon B600, while the WG-60 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the B500 and WG-60 can be found, respectively, in the Nikon B500 Manual (free pdf) or the online Ricoh WG-60 Manual.

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Review summary

So how do things add up? Is the Nikon B500 better than the Ricoh WG-60 or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

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Reasons to prefer the Nikon Coolpix B500:

  • Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/60i versus 1080/60p).
  • 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 (921k vs 230k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
  • Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/3.0 vs f/3.5).
  • Wider view: Has a wider-angle lens that facilitates landscape or interior shots.
  • More tele-reach: Has a longer tele-lens for perspective compression and subject magnification.
  • Longer lasting: Can take more shots (600 versus 300) on a single battery charge.
  • Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in January 2016).

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Advantages of the Ricoh WG-60:

  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • More compact: Is smaller (123x62mm vs 114x78mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 348g or 64 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • 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 modern: Reflects 2 years and 9 months of technical progress since the B500 launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the B500 is the clear winner of the match-up (13 : 6 points). 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 sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

B500 13:06 WG-60

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon B500 and the Ricoh WG-60 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Superzoom Camera and Best Travel-Zoom Camera listings 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 says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the B500 and the WG-60 in practical situations. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], 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.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon B500..+....4/53.5/5 Jan 2016 299ebay.com
2.
 
Ricoh WG-60............ Oct 2018 279ebay.com
3.
 
Fujifilm XP130..o....3.5/54/5 Jan 2018 229ebay.com
4.
 
Fujifilm XP120..o....3.5/54/5 Jan 2017 229ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon B600..+....3.5/53/5 Jan 2019 349ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon A1000..+ +3.5/5..3.5/53/5 Jan 2019 429ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon P1000..+3.5/573/1003.5/53.5/5 Jul 2018 999 amazon.com
8.
 
Nikon W300..+....4/54/5 May 2017 389ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon B700..+....4/54/5 Feb 2016 499ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon P900......77/1004/54/5 Mar 2015 599ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon L840..+ +....3.5/54/5 Feb 2015 299ebay.com
12.
 
Panasonic FZ80..+ +....4.5/54.5/5 Jan 2017 399ebay.com
13.
 
Pentax WG-90............ Nov 2023 279 amazon.com
14.
 
Sony WX800............ Oct 2018 399ebay.com
15.
 
Sony HX80............ Mar 2016 349ebay.com
16.
 
Sony H200........3.5/53.5/5 Jan 2013 249ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
padding

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications: Nikon B500 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.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Nikon B500 Ricoh WG-60
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 22.5-900mm f/3.0-6.5 28-140mm f/3.5-5.5
    Launch Date January 2016 October 2018
    Launch Price USD 299 USD 279
    Sensor Specs Nikon B500 Ricoh WG-60
    Sensor Technology BSI-CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format 1/2.3" Sensor 1/2.3" Sensor
    Sensor Size 6.17 x 4.55 mm 6.17 x 4.55 mm
    Sensor Area 28.0735 mm2 28.0735 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 7.7 mm 7.7 mm
    Crop Factor 5.6x 5.6x
    Sensor Resolution 15.9 Megapixels 15.9 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4608 x 3456 pixels 4608 x 3456 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 1.33 μm 1.33 μm
    Pixel Density 56.73 MP/cm2 56.73 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60i Video 1080/60p Video
    ISO Setting 80 - 6,400 ISO 125 - 6,400 ISO
    Screen Specs Nikon B500 Ricoh WG-60
    Viewfinder Type no viewfinder no viewfinder
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 2.7inch
    LCD Resolution 921k dots 230k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Nikon B500 Ricoh WG-60
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 7.4 shutter flaps/s 8 shutter flaps/s
    Time-Lapse Photographyno IntervalometerIntervalometer built-in
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no no
    Connectivity Specs Nikon B500 Ricoh WG-60
    External Flash no Hotshoe no Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI micro HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in no Wifi
    Near-Field Communication NFC built-in no NFC
    Bluetooth Support Bluetooth built-in no Bluetooth
    Body Specs Nikon B500 Ricoh WG-60
    Environmental Sealingnot weather sealedWaterproof body (14m)
    Battery Type Nikon 4xAA Ricoh D-LI92
    Battery Life (CIPA)600 shots per charge300 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 114 x 78 x 95 mm
    (4.5 x 3.1 x 3.7 in)
    123 x 62 x 30 mm
    (4.8 x 2.4 x 1.2 in)
    Camera Weight 541 g (19.1 oz) 193 g (6.8 oz)
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    Check WG-60 offers at
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