Ricoh WG-4 GPS Review

Construction and Handling

The WG-4 boasts a solid construction and employs a design that focuses on ergonomics.  The camera itself is made of ruggedized plastic and it has rubber seals around all buttons and openings.

Ricoh WG-4 Front (Click to Enlarge)

Thanks to the shape of its grip, the camera is very easy to hold on to and carry around.  Your thumb easily wraps around the camera to hold it securely while running, jogging, etc.  Various other design elements seek to protect the camera in case of an accidental drop or scrape, such as the 4 pins around the corner of the LCD and the recessed lens and flash.

A single door is used for the battery, SD slot, USB and HDMI ports in order to reduce the likelihood of water ingress.

Our key complaint about the camera's ergonomics is the relatively large amount of force required to depress the shutter button.  This introduces camera shake when shooting close-ups and macro photos.

Waterproofing Advice and Camera Care

Even though the WG-4 is marketed as a waterproof and shockproof camera, negligence, abuse, or manufacturing defects can lead to damage.  Prior to taking the camera out on its first shoot, dip it in a bucket of water for a few minutes.  After letting it dry for a bit, check for water ingress or damage, and exchange the camera if it should turn out to be a lemon.

Once you've established that there are no manufacturing defects (they are rare but they do happen), take the following precautions to make sure water never gets in:

• Make sure the battery door is closed and locked prior to use
• Keep the door's rubber seal clean of any dust, oil, and dirt
• Regularly remove any dust or dirt that may have accumulated in the grooves while the battery door is open 
• Don't subject the camera to running water under high pressure
• Be gentle with the camera while underwater
• In case your camera receives physical damage, don't subject it to extreme conditions until you've verified that its sealing hasn't been affected
• Rinse the camera (i.e. in your sink) after subjecting it to saltwater, sand, dirt, or mud
• Do not submerge the camera for more than 2 hours at a time

Verdict

Refer to our findings here for the bottom line on the WG-4's construction and handling.

Product Photos

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