Ricoh WG-M1

The Ricoh WG-M1 waterproof is rated as IPX8 and JIS class 8; it can go underwater for a maximum of 1 hour under 10 meters’ depth.

Summer, the time when tourists come out, is an auspicious time for families to go on holidays together. That’s when the technological gear becomes each person’s indispensable kit: the smartphone for entertainment, finding nice places to roam, mini speakers to rock the party space, and cameras to capture the unique moments along the journey.

Dust-proof waterproof cameras meet very special photographic requirements and will go with you anywhere from the hills to parks to oceans.

Last but not least, Ricoh Imaging has revamped the super-fast WG camera line with the introduction of WG-M1: an innovative point-of-view camera. Retaining the design characteristics of the Pentax WG lineage, Ricoh has designed the new model with a vertical lens, built-in LCD screen, and super rugged dust and water resistance features.

The petite dimensions of the WG-M1 fit rather comfortably into the palm and certainly do not feel sizable in weight against a camera bag. It is a

compact camera with a 14 MP CMOS sensor, a 16.8 mm focal length lens with an aperture of f/2.8 and integrated Wi-Fi connectivity.

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Ricoh WG-M1: Buy it now

The display located at the front consists of an LCD screen measuring 1.5 inches.

The side view of the camera WG-M1 shows a ruggedly designed case with strong hinges and protective wrapping, reminiscent of the classic Casio G-Shock.

If you buy a DB-65 1250mAh battery (350 shots or 150 minutes of video recording) with a corresponding charger separately.

The Ricoh WG-M1 employs a 1/2.3″ CMOS image sensor, which has a resolution of 14MP, supports Full HD 60 fps, and 120fps slo-mo resolution at 848 x 480 pixels. It has a lens with a focal length of 3mm, which is equivalent to 16.8mm on a 35mm full-frame.

In addition, the WG-M1 also features IPX8 and JIS class 8 water resistance – which can dive 10 meters in one continuous hour, with the standard MIL-Standard 810F shock-From about 2 meters and works at -10 degrees Celsius.

In summary, the WG-M1 next to the inherited “cattle” of the WG Ricoh series also own compact design, sure but also very bumpy. Shooting good quality video, sharing photos directly over Wi-Fi, with uploading photos on Facebook, the WG-M1 is not a bad option for you.

Features and Functionality

Waterproof and Shockproof

The waterproof and shockproof specifications of the WG-M1 make these innovative attributes quite attractive. It can function underwater upto an impressive 32 feet without the need for any housing; an undeniable advantage for snorkeling, swimming, and other water activities. The shockproof capabilities will deliver hardiness to withstand outdoor escapades, from mountain biking to rock climbing.

Wireless Connectivity

Wi-Fi built into the WG-M1 sends photos and video to your phone or tablet, so you don’t have to wait until you’re home to post something. The Ricoh Image Sync app covers the rest — remote shooting, live view, flipping through shots — on both iOS and Android.

Interval Shooting and Time-Lapse
Interval shooting and time-lapse are both here too — good for a sunset, moving clouds, anything that changes slowly enough that a single photo won’t capture it. Setup is simple enough that you don’t need experience to use it, and it’s genuinely one of the more fun things to play with on this camera.

Mounting Options

Ricoh mounts different types of mounting accessories for the WG-M1, thus making it more versatile. One could mount it on a helmet, bike, or surfboard according to one’s individual requirement. Such accessories greatly increase the application area of the device, allowing users to easily capture unique and exciting perspectives.

Performance

User Experience

For the most part an overall positive user experience with the WG-M1, the setup of the camera and its operation is easy for first-time users of action cameras. The menu system is intuitive, and large buttons make the navigation through settings and modes easy. It offers good startup time and responsive controls so you can grab spontaneous moments on-the-fly.

Battery Life

Battery life, an important aspect of action cameras, relates to taking the camera for outdoor adventures where charging might not be an exception. It is installed with an internal rechargeable lithium-ion battery that records continuous time of about 150 minutes at 1080p on the WG-M1. This is respectable for an action camera but should suffice for most day-long activities. However, any long session should be coupled with spare batteries.

Durability

This is the area where the WG-M1 shows its true colors. Owing to its strong build quality, there is no fuss about the camera being totally waterproof, shockproof, and dustproof, such that it can handle almost any unfortunate and unfavorable environments. On your way from mountain tops to beaches, down underwater, the WG-M1 is bound to perform well-the elements can’t outdo it.

The GoPro HERO Series

The GoPro HERO series has often been regarded as the benchmark in the action camera port. Most GoPro cameras give video resolution as high as 4K with some advanced features like HyperSmooth. When compared with the WG-M1, it would be safe to say that the latter owns a bit of ruggedness, simplicity of use, and affordability. For many consumers, the design is hearty, simple, and efficient.

Sony Action Cam

Preparing to come right up against the WG-M1 is Sony’s Action Cam range, such as FDR-X3000. All of Sony’s cameras boast superb imaging stabilization and superior quality mostly in video. The WG-M1 may not be able to compete with either of these specifications, but it’s got a much tougher, easier to use design at a very appealing price, making it attractive to those with lean budgets.

Olympus Tough TG-Tracker

The Olympus Tough TG-Tracker is the other rugged camera worth mentioning here. Both are waterproof and shockproof. The TG-Tracker adds 4K video and a built-in LED for shooting in low light, but the WG-M1 wins on simplicity — if you just want to point, shoot, and not think about settings, it’s the easier camera to live with.

Pros

• Rugged: Waterproof, shockproof, dustproof. Drops it, dunks it, keeps going.
• Image and video quality: 14-megapixel stills and Full HD video that look sharp without needing much fiddling.
• Easy to use: Beginners get the hang of it fast; it won’t slow down anyone more experienced either.
• Wireless: Wi-Fi and app support make transfers and remote shooting painless.
• Value: Solid durability and a decent feature set for the price.

Cons

Limited low-light performance: Shooting in low light affects its imaging and video capture.
No 4K recording: 4K is absent, unlike many rival action cameras.
Small LCD screen: The 1.5 screen can be difficult to view in the sun.
No external mic options: Poor limited recording options for pro-level audio.

Conclusion

The Ricoh WG-M1 does what a rugged action camera needs to do, nothing more. Waterproof, shockproof, dustproof, freezeproof — it survives the stuff that would kill a normal camera, and it doesn’t ask much of you beyond pointing it at something and hitting record. Image and video quality are solid enough, controls are dead simple, and the body holds up.

Định Bia

Tech Reviewer & Product Analyst

Định Bia has spent over 10 years testing consumer electronics with a focus on smart technology. He work as a product advisor at Biareview where he helped customers find the right devices for their needs. He personally tests every product featured on this site using a consistent evaluation framework covering quality, durability, and value. All reviews are based on experience, not influenced by the manufacturer.