• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.5 megapixels
  • 7.30mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 50 - 50,000

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Differences

Ricoh Theta S advantages over Leica SL (Typ 601)

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 39 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    125g vs 847g
    Lighter weight

Leica SL (Typ 601) 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
    35mm 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 (DCI) 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
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 vs 260 shots
    Capture more photos
  • 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
  • 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
    24.2 vs 14.5 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 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

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

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Buy the Ricoh Theta S
Ricoh Theta S (Black)

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Buy the Leica SL (Typ 601)
Body Only
All SL (Typ 601) Deals

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

  • Superb build quality; Amazing EVF; Great image quality from RAW files; Good high ISO performance; Very good dynamic range; Very low shutter lag; Fast AF on stationary objects; Class-leading ~11 fps burst mode; 4K DCI and UHD video; Full HD up to 120p. Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS; Dual card slots; Decent battery life for its class.

  • Big for a full-frame mirrorless camera; Very slow buffer clearing; Contrast-detect AF system struggles with moving subjects; In-camera JPEGs are muted and dull; Very limited native lens selection (but supports many other Leica lenses via adapters); Expensive.

  • Read our Leica SL (Typ 601) Review

The Competition

Compared to Leica M-P (Typ 240)

Ricoh Theta S
Leica M-P (Typ 240)
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $7495
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Leica M-P (Typ 240)

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Leica M-P (Typ 240)
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $7495
  • 35mm

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Leica M-P (Typ 240)

Compared to Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Ricoh Theta S
Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $7595
  • 35mm

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Compared to Leica M (Typ 262)

Ricoh Theta S
Leica M (Typ 262)
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $4995
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Larger sensor

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Leica M (Typ 262)

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Leica M (Typ 262)
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $4995
  • 35mm
  • Lighter weight

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Leica M (Typ 262)

Compared to Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Ricoh Theta S
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $5995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
  • $5995
  • 35mm

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Compared to Sony A9

Ricoh Theta S
Sony A9
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner
  • $2995
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Sony A9
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Built-in GPS
  • Top deck display
  • $2995
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Sony A9

Compare Other Cameras?