• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 29.00mm - 145.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.5 megapixels
  • 7.30mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-FS15 advantages over Ricoh Theta S

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Less expensive
    $200 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • More telephoto lens reach
    145 mm vs 7 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 330 vs 260 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Ricoh Theta S advantages over Panasonic DMC-FS15

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Newer
    9 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    14.5 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    7 mm vs 29 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster shutter
    1/6400 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Panasonic DMC-FS15

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Buy the Ricoh Theta S
Ricoh Theta S (Black)

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

  • Read our Ricoh Theta S Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm J150w

Panasonic DMC-FS15
Fujifilm J150w
  • $200
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More pixels
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Panasonic DMC-FS15 vs Fujifilm J150w

Ricoh Theta S
Fujifilm J150w
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Fujifilm J150w

Compared to Olympus FE-5010

Panasonic DMC-FS15
Olympus FE-5010
  • $200
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Wider angle lens
  • Longer exposure
  • $190
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic DMC-FS15 vs Olympus FE-5010

Ricoh Theta S
Olympus FE-5010
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $190
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Olympus FE-5010

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FS25S

Panasonic DMC-FS15
Panasonic DMC-FS25S
  • $200
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch

Compare Panasonic DMC-FS15 vs Panasonic DMC-FS25S

Ricoh Theta S
Panasonic DMC-FS25S
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Panasonic DMC-FS25S

Compared to Fujifilm J250W

Panasonic DMC-FS15
Fujifilm J250W
  • $200
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More pixels
  • $100
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Panasonic DMC-FS15 vs Fujifilm J250W

Ricoh Theta S
Fujifilm J250W
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $100
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Fujifilm J250W

Compared to Nikon S4000

Panasonic DMC-FS15
Nikon S4000
  • $200
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen

Compare Panasonic DMC-FS15 vs Nikon S4000

Ricoh Theta S
Nikon S4000
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Nikon S4000

Compare Other Cameras?