Ricoh Theta S vs Olympus PEN-F

Cameras
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Ricoh Theta S vs Olympus PEN-F

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1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
14.5 megapixels
7.30mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Ricoh Theta S Review.
How does it shoot? Ricoh Theta S in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the Theta S.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Ricoh Theta S conclusion.

4/3 226.2mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus PEN-F Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus PEN-F in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the PEN-F.
Compare Olympus PEN-F image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus PEN-F conclusion.

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Differences

Ricoh Theta S advantages over Olympus PEN-F

Thinner
22 mm vs 37 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
125g vs 434g
Lighter weight

Olympus PEN-F 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
4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

330 vs 260 shots
Capture more photos
Manual focus
Yes vs No
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
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
20.3 vs 14.5 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
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
25600 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
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

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
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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

User reviews

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Read Theta S User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read PEN-F User Reviews

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Ricoh Theta S (Black)

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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

Highest resolution Olympus 4/3" camera yet; Excellent image quality for its class; Very good dynamic range; Fast autofocus; Fast burst speeds; Lots of fun creative filter options; Built-in EVF, Wi-Fi.
Expensive; No weather sealing; Mediocre battery life; No 4K video; No mic or headphone jacks.
Read our Olympus PEN-F Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL7

Ricoh Theta S

Olympus E-PL7

$290
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$399
4/3

Rear display
Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Olympus E-PL7

Olympus PEN-F

Olympus E-PL7

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$399
4/3

Fast startup
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-PL7

Compared to Olympus E-M5 II

Ricoh Theta S

Olympus E-M5 II

$290
1/2.3 inch

In-camera panoramas
Thinner

$899
4/3

Rear display
Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Olympus E-M5 II

Olympus PEN-F

Olympus E-M5 II

$999
4/3

In-camera panoramas
More pixels

$899
4/3

Fast startup
External Mic Jack

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-M5 II

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Ricoh Theta S

Panasonic GX85

$290
1/2.3 inch

Thinner

$598
4/3

Rear display
Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Panasonic GX85

Olympus PEN-F

Panasonic GX85

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
High resolution composite

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Ricoh Theta S

Olympus E-PL8

$290
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$599
4/3

Rear display
Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Olympus E-PL8

Olympus PEN-F

Olympus E-PL8

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$599
4/3

Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-PL8

Compared to Olympus E-PL9

Ricoh Theta S

Olympus E-PL9

$290
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Thinner

$700
4/3

Rear display
Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Olympus E-PL9

Olympus PEN-F

Olympus E-PL9

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$700
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-PL9

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