• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.5 megapixels
  • 7.30mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 8.3 megapixels
  • 15.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Ricoh Theta S advantages over Nikon 170

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/2.8
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 42 mm
    Thinner
  • More pixels
    14.5 vs 8.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    7 mm vs 15 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 1/2 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Nikon 170 advantages over Ricoh Theta S

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • More telephoto lens reach
    15 mm vs 7 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • 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

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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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 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
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Ricoh Theta S

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 Pentax E70

Ricoh Theta S
Pentax E70
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $140
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive
Nikon 170
Pentax E70
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $140
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon SD1200 IS

Ricoh Theta S
Canon SD1200 IS
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive
Nikon 170
Canon SD1200 IS
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Fujifilm A170

Ricoh Theta S
Fujifilm A170
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $95
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive
Nikon 170
Fujifilm A170
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $95
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Nokia N8

Ricoh Theta S
Nokia N8
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $549
  • 1/1.83 inch
  • Rear display
  • Larger sensor
Nikon 170
Nokia N8
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $549
  • 1/1.83 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Samsung Galaxy S II

Ricoh Theta S
Samsung Galaxy S II
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $200
  • 1/3.2 inch
  • Rear display
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Nikon 170
Samsung Galaxy S II
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $200
  • 1/3.2 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash
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