• 1/1.63 inch 46.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 90.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.5 megapixels
  • 7.30mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic LX5 advantages over Ricoh Theta S

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Larger sensor
    1/1.63 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • More telephoto lens reach
    90 mm vs 7 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 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.
  • 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
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Ricoh Theta S advantages over Panasonic LX5

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $500 (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 43 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    9 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    125g vs 271g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    14.5 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    7 mm vs 24 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 LX5

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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-LX3

Panasonic LX5
Panasonic DMC-LX3
  • $550
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video

Compare Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic DMC-LX3

Ricoh Theta S
Panasonic DMC-LX3
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Rear display
  • Larger sensor

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Panasonic DMC-LX3

Compared to Leica D-LUX 5

Panasonic LX5
Leica D-LUX 5
  • $550
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $700
  • 1/1.63 inch

Compare Panasonic LX5 vs Leica D-LUX 5

Ricoh Theta S
Leica D-LUX 5
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $700
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Rear display
  • Larger sensor

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Leica D-LUX 5

Compared to Olympus XZ-1

Panasonic LX5
Olympus XZ-1
  • $550
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic LX5 vs Olympus XZ-1

Ricoh Theta S
Olympus XZ-1
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Rear display
  • Larger sensor

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Olympus XZ-1

Compared to Olympus XZ-2

Panasonic LX5
Olympus XZ-2
  • $550
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic LX5 vs Olympus XZ-2

Ricoh Theta S
Olympus XZ-2
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Rear display
  • Larger sensor

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Olympus XZ-2

Compared to Canon G15

Panasonic LX5
Canon G15
  • $550
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Shoots 60p video
  • Wider angle lens
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic LX5 vs Canon G15

Ricoh Theta S
Canon G15
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Rear display
  • Larger sensor

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Canon G15

Compare Other Cameras?