• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.5 megapixels
  • 7.30mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-ZS5 advantages over Ricoh Theta S

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Less expensive
    $300 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
    300 mm vs 7 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 340 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-ZS5

  • 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
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 32 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    9 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    125g vs 206g
    Lighter weight
  • 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 25 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-ZS5

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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 Panasonic DMC-ZS3

Panasonic DMC-ZS5
Panasonic DMC-ZS3
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen

Compare Panasonic DMC-ZS5 vs Panasonic DMC-ZS3

Ricoh Theta S
Panasonic DMC-ZS3
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Panasonic DMC-ZS3

Compared to Panasonic DMC-ZS7

Panasonic DMC-ZS5
Panasonic DMC-ZS7
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen

Compare Panasonic DMC-ZS5 vs Panasonic DMC-ZS7

Ricoh Theta S
Panasonic DMC-ZS7
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Panasonic DMC-ZS7

Compared to Pentax RZ10

Panasonic DMC-ZS5
Pentax RZ10
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Wider angle lens
  • $177
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus

Compare Panasonic DMC-ZS5 vs Pentax RZ10

Ricoh Theta S
Pentax RZ10
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $177
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Pentax RZ10

Compared to Panasonic ZS10

Panasonic DMC-ZS5
Panasonic ZS10
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Panasonic DMC-ZS5 vs Panasonic ZS10

Ricoh Theta S
Panasonic ZS10
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Panasonic ZS10

Compared to Nikon S8200

Panasonic DMC-ZS5
Nikon S8200
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out

Compare Panasonic DMC-ZS5 vs Nikon S8200

Ricoh Theta S
Nikon S8200
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Nikon S8200

Compare Other Cameras?