• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.5 megapixels
  • 7.30mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Samsung SL820 advantages over Ricoh Theta S

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Less expensive
    $280 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
  • More telephoto lens reach
    140 mm vs 7 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • 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
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Ricoh Theta S advantages over Samsung SL820

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.4
    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 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    14.5 vs 12.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    7 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Samsung SL820

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Buy the Ricoh Theta S
Ricoh Theta S (Black)

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 Pentax W60

Samsung SL820
Pentax W60
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • HDMI out
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Samsung SL820 vs Pentax W60

Ricoh Theta S
Pentax W60
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Pentax W60

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FS25S

Samsung SL820
Panasonic DMC-FS25S
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Samsung SL820 vs Panasonic DMC-FS25S

Ricoh Theta S
Panasonic DMC-FS25S
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Panasonic DMC-FS25S

Compared to Pentax W80

Samsung SL820
Pentax W80
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Samsung SL820 vs Pentax W80

Ricoh Theta S
Pentax W80
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Pentax W80

Compared to Samsung TL220

Samsung SL820
Samsung TL220
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch

Compare Samsung SL820 vs Samsung TL220

Ricoh Theta S
Samsung TL220
  • $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 Samsung TL220

Compared to Samsung TL225

Samsung SL820
Samsung TL225
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $350
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More dots on screen

Compare Samsung SL820 vs Samsung TL225

Ricoh Theta S
Samsung TL225
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $350
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Samsung TL225

Compare Other Cameras?