• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.5 megapixels
  • 7.30mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus SH-2 advantages over Ricoh Theta S

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • More telephoto lens reach
    600 mm vs 7 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 380 vs 260 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Ricoh Theta S advantages over Olympus SH-2

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.0
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 42 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    125g vs 271g
    Lighter weight
  • Wider angle lens
    7 mm vs 25 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/6400 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus SH-2

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Ricoh Theta S

Review Excerpt

  • 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

The Competition

Compared to Olympus SH-50

Olympus SH-2
Olympus SH-50
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • RAW file ability
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
Ricoh Theta S
Olympus SH-50
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compared to Canon SX700 HS

Olympus SH-2
Canon SX700 HS
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • NFC
  • More telephoto lens reach
Ricoh Theta S
Canon SX700 HS
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Olympus SH-1

Olympus SH-2
Olympus SH-1
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
Ricoh Theta S
Olympus SH-1
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Thinner
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon SX710 HS

Olympus SH-2
Canon SX710 HS
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $689
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • NFC
  • More telephoto lens reach
Ricoh Theta S
Canon SX710 HS
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $689
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Panasonic ZS60

Olympus SH-2
Panasonic ZS60
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Ricoh Theta S
Panasonic ZS60
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Thinner
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
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