Panasonic GX8 vs Ricoh Theta S

Cameras
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Panasonic GX8 vs Ricoh Theta S

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4/3 224.9mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GX8 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GX8 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GX8.
Compare Panasonic GX8 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GX8 conclusion.

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
14.5 megapixels
7.30mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Ricoh Theta S Review.
How does it shoot? Ricoh Theta S in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the Theta S.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Ricoh Theta S conclusion.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GX9
Compare GX8 vs GX9

Succeeded by the Ricoh Theta V
Compare Theta S vs Theta V

Compare PANASONIC GX9 vs RICOH THETA V

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Differences

Panasonic GX8 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
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) 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

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

340 vs 260 shots
Capture more photos
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
More pixels
20.3 vs 14.5 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
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
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/6400 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 1600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Ricoh Theta S advantages over Panasonic GX8

Thinner
22 mm vs 63 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
125g vs 487g
Lighter weight

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

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
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Adorama
Read GX8 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read Theta S User Reviews

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Ricoh Theta S (Black)

Review Excerpt

Highest resolution Micro Four Thirds camera yet; Great high ISO performance; Very fast autofocus; Fast burst mode with deep buffers; Impressive Dual I.S. system; Great 4K video.
No built-in flash; Slow buffer clearing; Below average battery life; Limited I.S. for 4K video.
Read our Panasonic GX8 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-M1

Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$1099
4/3

Fast startup
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Olympus E-M1

Ricoh Theta S

Olympus E-M1

$290
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$1099
4/3

Rear display
Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Olympus E-M5 II

Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M5 II

$998
4/3

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

$899
4/3

High resolution composite
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Olympus E-M5 II

Ricoh Theta S

Olympus E-M5 II

$290
1/2.3 inch

In-camera panoramas
Thinner

$899
4/3

Rear display
Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Olympus E-M5 II

Compared to Panasonic G7

Panasonic GX8

Panasonic G7

$998
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
NFC

$498
4/3

Less expensive
Internal flash

Compare Panasonic GX8 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 GX8

Olympus E-M1 II

$998
4/3

In-camera panoramas
NFC

$899
4/3

High resolution composite
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX8 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

Compared to Olympus E-M10 III

Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M10 III

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
In-camera panoramas

$549
4/3

Less expensive
Internal flash

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Olympus E-M10 III

Ricoh Theta S

Olympus E-M10 III

$290
1/2.3 inch

In-camera panoramas
Thinner

$549
4/3

Rear display
Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Olympus E-M10 III

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