Ricoh’s new WG-70 ultra-rugged compact camera is basically a WG-60 with new firmware

Ricoh has announced its new WG-70 compact camera. All outward appearances suggest that the WG-70 is largely identical to its predecessor, the WG-60 (which was also just a minor update to the WG-50). So, not much seems to have changed. Ricoh says, though, that the WG-70 does come with a few new features including a “digital microscope mode”, and a more advanced underwater shooting mode for better colour, contrast and white balance.

As well as the two new features mentioned above, the WG-70 also features a digital “Cross Processing” effect, which is essentially just a built-in filter that attempts to simulate the result you’d see from cross-processing a roll of film. But I don’t see why these new features necessitate a whole new camera model.

Like the WG-60, the WG-70 only shoots 1080p HD video, which is a little disappointing. It appears to have the same resolution sensor, same ISO performance, same lens, same autofocus, same everything really. Couldn’t they have added these features via a firmware update?

I mean, they don’t mention a newly designed lens, sensor, faster processor, or anything in the press release. And the lack of 4K video in any new camera today is more than a little disappointing.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure the WG-70 is a fine camera, as it’s essentially a WG-60 with a bit of a software update, and the WG-60 was a decent camera. It’s waterproof to 14 metres (46 feet), crushproof against weight forces up to 100kg, freeze-proof down to -10°C, and all the rest of it.  But there just doesn’t really seem to be much point to it.

It’s certainly doesn’t seem an upgrade to the WG-60 to me. I wouldn’t recommend anybody go sell their WG-60 to replace it with a WG-70. And even those looking to buy their first, I’d probably suggest they save $50 and get the WG-60 instead.

The Ricoh WG-70 is available to pre-order now for $279.95 in Black or Orange and is expected to ship in mid-March.