• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 128.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.5 megapixels
  • 7.30mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic TS5 advantages over Ricoh Theta S

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More telephoto lens reach
    128 mm vs 7 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 370 vs 260 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Ricoh Theta S advantages over Panasonic TS5

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Lighter weight
    125g vs 213g
    Lighter weight
  • Wider angle lens
    7 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/6400 vs 1/1300 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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

  • 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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 TS5
Panasonic TS5

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Ricoh Theta S
Ricoh Theta S (Black)

Review Excerpt

  • Advanced Wi-Fi and Near-Field Communications for easy image sharing and even remote shooting (a first for a waterproof compact); Improved ruggedness; Manual exposure mode; Fast cycle times; 10fps continuous burst shooting at full resolution; Full 1080p HD video at up to 60p; Excellent battery life.

  • Mediocre still image quality; Slow startup; Slower-than-average autofocus; Choppy MP4 (most Web-friendly format) video quality.

  • Read our Panasonic TS5 Express 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 TS4

Panasonic TS5
Panasonic TS4
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $192
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer exposure

Compare Panasonic TS5 vs Panasonic TS4

Ricoh Theta S
Panasonic TS4
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $192
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Rear display
  • Waterproof

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Panasonic TS4

Compared to Pentax WG-2 GPS

Panasonic TS5
Pentax WG-2 GPS
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Faster shutter

Compare Panasonic TS5 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS

Ricoh Theta S
Pentax WG-2 GPS
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Waterproof

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Pentax WG-2 GPS

Compared to Olympus TG-850

Panasonic TS5
Olympus TG-850
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic TS5 vs Olympus TG-850

Ricoh Theta S
Olympus TG-850
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Olympus TG-850

Compared to Panasonic TS6

Panasonic TS5
Panasonic TS6
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • $298
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Panasonic TS5 vs Panasonic TS6

Ricoh Theta S
Panasonic TS6
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Lighter weight
  • $298
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Panasonic TS6

Compared to Olympus TG-860

Panasonic TS5
Olympus TG-860
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • NFC
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic TS5 vs Olympus TG-860

Ricoh Theta S
Olympus TG-860
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Lighter weight
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Olympus TG-860

Compare Other Cameras?