• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.5 megapixels
  • 7.30mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic ZS20 advantages over Ricoh Theta S

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • More telephoto lens reach
    480 mm vs 7 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Ricoh Theta S advantages over Panasonic ZS20

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Newer
    9 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    125g vs 207g
    Lighter weight
  • Wider angle lens
    7 mm vs 24 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster shutter
    1/6400 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

User reviews

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Buy the Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic ZS20
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Buy the Ricoh Theta S
Ricoh Theta S (Black)

Review Excerpt

  • Very long zoom lens; Full HD video; Great grip; Built-in GPS; HDR and Handheld Night Shot modes.

  • Poor image quality due to excessive noise suppression; Flash too close to the grip; No GPS logging; Battery only charges in the camera; Limited touchscreen.

  • Read our Panasonic ZS20 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 ZS10

Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic ZS10
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Faster shutter

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS10

Ricoh Theta S
Panasonic ZS10
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Panasonic ZS10

Compared to Panasonic ZS8

Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic ZS8
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS8

Ricoh Theta S
Panasonic ZS8
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Panasonic ZS8

Compared to Panasonic ZS15

Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic ZS15
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster shutter

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS15

Ricoh Theta S
Panasonic ZS15
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Panasonic ZS15

Compared to Sony H90

Panasonic ZS20
Sony H90
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony H90

Ricoh Theta S
Sony H90
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Sony H90

Compared to Panasonic ZS19

Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic ZS19
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS19

Ricoh Theta S
Panasonic ZS19
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Panasonic ZS19

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