• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.5 megapixels
  • 7.30mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic GX1 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.
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Ricoh Theta S advantages over Panasonic GX1

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $950 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 39 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    9 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Faster shutter
    1/6400 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX1

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Ricoh Theta S
Ricoh Theta S (Black)

Review Excerpt

  • Appealing design; Good grip; Very good image quality; Fast autofocus; Built-in Level Gauge.

  • Small rear buttons; Below-average battery life; Weak flash; Orange and yellow can have greenish cast in JPEGs; Shutter-induced motion blur with 14-42mm X Vario kit lens.

  • Read our Panasonic GX1 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 Olympus E-P3

Panasonic GX1
Olympus E-P3
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Olympus E-P3

Ricoh Theta S
Olympus E-P3
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Larger sensor

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Olympus E-P3

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic GX1
Olympus E-PL3
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Olympus E-PL3

Ricoh Theta S
Olympus E-PL3
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Larger sensor

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Olympus E-PL3

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Panasonic GX1
Panasonic GF5
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • More dots on screen

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic GF5

Ricoh Theta S
Panasonic GF5
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Larger sensor

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Panasonic GF5

Compared to Olympus E-PL5

Panasonic GX1
Olympus E-PL5
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Internal flash
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GX1 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

Panasonic GX1
Panasonic GF6
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Panasonic GX1 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

Compare Other Cameras?