• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.5 megapixels
  • 7.30mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 370.5mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000

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Differences

Ricoh Theta S advantages over Leica CL

  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 45 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Leica CL 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
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 14.5 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster shutter
    1/25000 vs 1/6400 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    50000 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Ricoh Theta S

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica CL

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

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX500

Ricoh Theta S
Samsung NX500
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
Leica CL
Samsung NX500
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Top deck display
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • NFC

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro2

Ricoh Theta S
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
Leica CL
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Sony A6500

Ricoh Theta S
Sony A6500
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
Leica CL
Sony A6500
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Top deck display
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Leica TL2

Ricoh Theta S
Leica TL2
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
Leica CL
Leica TL2
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro3

Ricoh Theta S
Fujifilm X-Pro3
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner
  • $1799
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
Leica CL
Fujifilm X-Pro3
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $1799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
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