• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.5 megapixels
  • 7.30mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-PL7 advantages over Ricoh Theta S

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 260 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Ricoh Theta S advantages over Olympus E-PL7

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 38 mm
    Thinner
  • Faster shutter
    1/6400 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Olympus E-PL7
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  • Body Only
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Buy the Ricoh Theta S
Ricoh Theta S (Black)

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality for its class including very good ISO performance; Improved performance and ergonomics over the E-PL5; LCD tilts 180 degree downward for easier selfies; Upgraded 3-axis IS system.

  • No built-in flash (but a small add-on flash is included); No built-in EVF; Default colors somewhat muted; Somewhat quirky menu system.

  • Read our Olympus E-PL7 Review

  • 360-degree spherical panoramas at the click of a button; Puts you back in the moment like no other camera; Good ergonomics and control layout; Great still image quality, and can shoot videos too; Upload panoramas to Google Street View

  • Very reliant on your smartphone or tablet; Battery and storage can't be replaced or upgraded; Handheld shots suffer from Gigantic Hand Syndrome; Hard to get yourself out of the shot; Video image quality is only modest; Interval timer has a long shot delay

  • Read our Ricoh Theta S Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GX1

Olympus E-PL7
Panasonic GX1
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic GX1

Ricoh Theta S
Panasonic GX1
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Panasonic GX1

Compared to Olympus E-PL5

Olympus E-PL7
Olympus E-PL5
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup
  • $329
  • 4/3

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Olympus E-PL5

Ricoh Theta S
Olympus E-PL5
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Larger sensor

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Olympus E-PL5

Compared to Panasonic GF6

Olympus E-PL7
Panasonic GF6
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic GF6

Ricoh Theta S
Panasonic GF6
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Larger sensor

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Panasonic GF6

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-PL7
Panasonic GX85
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic GX85

Ricoh Theta S
Panasonic GX85
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Olympus E-PL7
Olympus E-PL8
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • $599
  • 4/3

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Olympus E-PL8

Ricoh Theta S
Olympus E-PL8
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Olympus E-PL8

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