• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.5 megapixels
  • 7.30mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 50.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Ricoh Theta S advantages over Sony A1

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    125g vs 737g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Sony A1 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    No vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 530 vs 260 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    4 years vs 9 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • 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
    50.1 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
    1/32000 vs 1/6400 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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

User reviews

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Buy the Ricoh Theta S
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

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7R IV

Ricoh Theta S
Sony A7R IV
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner
  • $3220
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Sony A7R IV

Sony A1
Sony A7R IV
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Longer video battery life
  • $3220
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite

Compare Sony A1 vs Sony A7R IV

Compared to Leica SL2

Ricoh Theta S
Leica SL2
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner
  • $5625
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Leica SL2

Sony A1
Leica SL2
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $5625
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite

Compare Sony A1 vs Leica SL2

Compared to Canon R5

Ricoh Theta S
Canon R5
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Rear display

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Canon R5

Sony A1
Canon R5
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • NFC
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon R5

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Ricoh Theta S
Nikon Z7 II
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner
  • $2330
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Nikon Z7 II

Sony A1
Nikon Z7 II
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • NFC
  • $2330
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Top deck display

Compare Sony A1 vs Nikon Z7 II

Compared to Sony A7R V

Ricoh Theta S
Sony A7R V
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $3900
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Sony A7R V

Sony A1
Sony A7R V
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Longer video battery life
  • $3900
  • 35mm
  • High resolution composite
  • Newer

Compare Sony A1 vs Sony A7R V

Compare Other Cameras?