Ricoh WG-7

Mistral75 · 06-14-2021, 10:20 PM

'Ricoh are going to announce the WG-7 in the near future. The body colour is black and red.'

Source: Nokishita Camera

Kunzite · 06-14-2021, 11:47 PM

I hope that's not the only thing they're going to announce...

thibs · 06-14-2021, 11:58 PM - **1 Like**

Who knows.
They might want to spread the releases.

WG might need a real update though, doesn't seem like it got anything really meaningful for years IMO.

Kunzite · 06-15-2021, 12:11 AM

I'm not optimistic - the WGs are outsourced AFAIK, and currently more or less a consumer version of the rugged G-series compacts.
I don't see a real desire to compete (which I guess is understandable).

thibs · 06-15-2021, 12:15 AM

Originally posted by Kunzite

I'm not optimistic - the WGs are outsourced AFAIK, and currently more or less a consumer version of the rugged G-series compacts.
I don't see a real desire to compete (which I guess is understandable).

Yeah I get that but we'd have at least things to discuss

JPT · 06-15-2021, 01:06 AM - **2 Likes**

About 6 months ago, Ricoh sent a survey out to registered users about the WG series. It was asking about their level of satisfaction and desired features. This was the first time I'd seen specific questions about WG in one of their surveys. I took a quick look at the questions, but didn't answer since it was aimed at actual users and I've never owned one.

At the time I thought they must be trying to decide one of two things:
1. Whether to stop or continue the series as a whole
2. Whether there is potential to do something more interesting with the series

Given the model number suggests more of the same, I wouldn't get hopes up about a big change. However, Ricoh is basing their decisions about the line on market research, rather than blind assumption.

Ricoh has a few sub brands - Pentax, GR, WG, Theta. They don't seem to mix announcements unless there is a event. So I would expect Pentax products to be announced separately.

Still, there is something comforting about the "business as usual" nature of a WG release. If nothing else, WG keeps Ricoh's foot in the door of some retailers that only sell low-end cameras in Japan, and it is a good "My first camera" for kids.

Kunzite · 06-15-2021, 01:32 AM - **1 Like**

I don't think they'll give up on the WG (unless they aren't selling them at all), its fate being tied with the rugged G series.

Ishpuini · 06-15-2021, 01:41 AM - **1 Like**

I had an early WG once. I got it for some underwater photography, but that didn't work out because it's low light capacities were inadequate at the time (I'm talking back in 2009). I expect this has changed, and with the BSI sensor introduction, I guess a lot will have improved. Did the last WG already have a BSI sensor?

For a specific need, this is still a valid complimentary to another camera.

JPT · 06-15-2021, 01:52 AM

Crazy thought - I wonder what impact an accelerator unit could have on a small sensor. Highly unlikely to happen, I know. But if it works for a large sensor, wouldn't it work for a small sensor just as well? And Bill Claff is unlikely to come anywhere near a WG camera with his truth-telling line graphs.

Kunzite · 06-15-2021, 01:55 AM

Originally posted by JPT

Crazy thought - I wonder what impact an accelerator unit could have on a small sensor. Highly unlikely to happen, I know. But if it works for a large sensor, wouldn't it work for a small sensor just as well? And Bill Claff is unlikely to come anywhere a WG camera with his truth-telling line graphs.

That would be interesting, but it means going back to making them in-house?

JPT · 06-15-2021, 02:13 AM

Originally posted by Kunzite

That would be interesting, but it means going back to making them in-house?

Well, I know nothing whatsoever about it, and I think it is unlikely. However, it seems to me that using the accelerator to make a poor sensor less bad is just as valid as using it to make a good sensor better. I first thought about this when reading a discussion about the prospects of another Q model. Also very unlikely, but hypothetically how close could they get to micro four thirds performance using that kind of technique?

Back to reality - This is probably a WG-6 with a new paint job.

**TwoUptons** · 06-15-2021, 02:53 AM

Didn’t Olympus take their variant down to 12 Mp from 20 just to improve low light sensitivity?

It’s the same lens as the Ricoh, IIRC...

-Eric

reh321 · 06-15-2021, 05:12 AM

Originally posted by JPT

Bill Claff is unlikely to come anywhere near a WG camera with his truth-telling line graphs.

Is Bill Claff the “Photons To Photos” guy?
If so, have no fear - “Photons To Photos” already includes the accelerator-equipped KP in their comparisons, so that alone should not affect its inclusion.

**Serkevan** · 06-15-2021, 05:26 AM

Huh... a WG-7 with a, say, 1/1.3" modern smartphone module and shorter zoom might be much more desirable. Like Alex says that'd mean in-house development so I guess we'll see the same old same old...

**gaweidert** · 06-15-2021, 05:39 AM - **3 Likes**

Being able to save files in RAW format would be a big improvement.

06-14-2021, 10:20 PM	#1
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,527	Ricoh WG-7 'Ricoh are going to announce the WG-7 in the near future. The body colour is black and red.' Source: Nokishita Camera

06-15-2021, 01:52 AM	#9
JPT Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,821	Crazy thought - I wonder what impact an accelerator unit could have on a small sensor. Highly unlikely to happen, I know. But if it works for a large sensor, wouldn't it work for a small sensor just as well? And Bill Claff is unlikely to come anywhere near a WG camera with his truth-telling line graphs. Last edited by JPT; 06-15-2021 at 02:06 AM.

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06-14-2021, 11:47 PM	#2
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	I hope that's not the only thing they're going to announce...

06-14-2021, 11:58 PM - 1 Like	#3
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	Who knows. They might want to spread the releases. WG might need a real update though, doesn't seem like it got anything really meaningful for years IMO.

06-15-2021, 12:11 AM	#4
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	I'm not optimistic - the WGs are outsourced AFAIK, and currently more or less a consumer version of the rugged G-series compacts. I don't see a real desire to compete (which I guess is understandable).

06-15-2021, 12:15 AM	#5
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	Originally posted by Kunzite I'm not optimistic - the WGs are outsourced AFAIK, and currently more or less a consumer version of the rugged G-series compacts. I don't see a real desire to compete (which I guess is understandable). Yeah I get that but we'd have at least things to discuss

06-15-2021, 01:06 AM - 2 Likes	#6
JPT Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,821	About 6 months ago, Ricoh sent a survey out to registered users about the WG series. It was asking about their level of satisfaction and desired features. This was the first time I'd seen specific questions about WG in one of their surveys. I took a quick look at the questions, but didn't answer since it was aimed at actual users and I've never owned one. At the time I thought they must be trying to decide one of two things: 1. Whether to stop or continue the series as a whole 2. Whether there is potential to do something more interesting with the series Given the model number suggests more of the same, I wouldn't get hopes up about a big change. However, Ricoh is basing their decisions about the line on market research, rather than blind assumption. Ricoh has a few sub brands - Pentax, GR, WG, Theta. They don't seem to mix announcements unless there is a event. So I would expect Pentax products to be announced separately. Still, there is something comforting about the "business as usual" nature of a WG release. If nothing else, WG keeps Ricoh's foot in the door of some retailers that only sell low-end cameras in Japan, and it is a good "My first camera" for kids.

06-15-2021, 01:32 AM - 1 Like	#7
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	I don't think they'll give up on the WG (unless they aren't selling them at all), its fate being tied with the rugged G series.

06-15-2021, 01:41 AM - 1 Like	#8
Ishpuini Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,727	I had an early WG once. I got it for some underwater photography, but that didn't work out because it's low light capacities were inadequate at the time (I'm talking back in 2009). I expect this has changed, and with the BSI sensor introduction, I guess a lot will have improved. Did the last WG already have a BSI sensor? For a specific need, this is still a valid complimentary to another camera.

06-15-2021, 01:55 AM	#10
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Originally posted by JPT Crazy thought - I wonder what impact an accelerator unit could have on a small sensor. Highly unlikely to happen, I know. But if it works for a large sensor, wouldn't it work for a small sensor just as well? And Bill Claff is unlikely to come anywhere a WG camera with his truth-telling line graphs. That would be interesting, but it means going back to making them in-house?

06-15-2021, 02:13 AM	#11
JPT Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,821	Originally posted by Kunzite That would be interesting, but it means going back to making them in-house? Well, I know nothing whatsoever about it, and I think it is unlikely. However, it seems to me that using the accelerator to make a poor sensor less bad is just as valid as using it to make a good sensor better. I first thought about this when reading a discussion about the prospects of another Q model. Also very unlikely, but hypothetically how close could they get to micro four thirds performance using that kind of technique? Back to reality - This is probably a WG-6 with a new paint job.

06-15-2021, 02:53 AM	#12
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,213	Didn’t Olympus take their variant down to 12 Mp from 20 just to improve low light sensitivity? It’s the same lens as the Ricoh, IIRC... -Eric

06-15-2021, 05:12 AM	#13
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,177	Originally posted by JPT Bill Claff is unlikely to come anywhere near a WG camera with his truth-telling line graphs. Is Bill Claff the “Photons To Photos” guy? If so, have no fear - “Photons To Photos” already includes the accelerator-equipped KP in their comparisons, so that alone should not affect its inclusion.

06-15-2021, 05:26 AM	#14
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	Huh... a WG-7 with a, say, 1/1.3" modern smartphone module and shorter zoom might be much more desirable. Like Alex says that'd mean in-house development so I guess we'll see the same old same old...

06-15-2021, 05:39 AM - 3 Likes	#15
gaweidert Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,325	Being able to save files in RAW format would be a big improvement.