• 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

Panasonic GH4 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.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • 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
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 530 vs 260 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Ricoh Theta S advantages over Panasonic GH4

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 83 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    125g vs 569g
    Lighter weight

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

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

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Buy the Ricoh Theta S
Ricoh Theta S (Black)

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent still image quality for its class; Fantastic, highly-detailed video quality; Superior video recording chops with 4K video (both Cinema 4K and Ultra HD); Responsive all-around performer with great AF performance and burst shooting; Rolling shutter is minimal with 60p and 30p video; Splash- and dust-proof magnesium alloy body; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC.

  • High ISO performance not as good as some APS-C models (IQ drops quickly past ISO 3200); Overall still image quality not significantly better than the GH3; Sluggish buffer clearing with RAW files; Rolling shutter noticeable on 4K video; Not as compact as most mirrorless cameras.

  • Read our Panasonic GH4 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 G5

Panasonic GH4
Panasonic G5
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic G5

Ricoh Theta S
Panasonic G5
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Larger sensor

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Panasonic G5

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Panasonic GH4
Panasonic GH3
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $798
  • 4/3

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic GH3

Ricoh Theta S
Panasonic GH3
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Larger sensor

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Panasonic GH3

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH4
Olympus E-M1
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Olympus E-M1

Ricoh Theta S
Olympus E-M1
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Panasonic G7

Panasonic GH4
Panasonic G7
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • NFC
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic G7

Ricoh Theta S
Panasonic G7
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Panasonic G7

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic GH4
Olympus E-M1 II
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • NFC
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Ricoh Theta S
Olympus E-M1 II
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Olympus E-M1 II

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