• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 336.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.5 megapixels
  • 7.30mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon 520 HS advantages over Ricoh Theta S

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Less expensive
    $300 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
    336 mm vs 7 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Ricoh Theta S advantages over Canon 520 HS

  • 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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 260 vs 190 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    8 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More pixels
    14.5 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    7 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/6400 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Ricoh Theta S

Review Excerpt

  • Compact 12x zoom; Optical image stabilization; Full HD movies; Handheld Night Scene mode; Good shutter lag time.

  • Uses microSD media; Short battery life; Flash is weak; Soft at telephoto; Tiny buttons.

  • 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 Canon SD4500 IS

Canon 520 HS
Canon SD4500 IS
  • $441
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $197
  • 1/2.3 inch
Ricoh Theta S
Canon SD4500 IS
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $197
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon 510 HS

Canon 520 HS
Canon 510 HS
  • $441
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
  • $318
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More pixels
Ricoh Theta S
Canon 510 HS
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $318
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon 530 HS

Canon 520 HS
Canon 530 HS
  • $441
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Ricoh Theta S
Canon 530 HS
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony W690

Canon 520 HS
Sony W690
  • $441
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $257
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels
Ricoh Theta S
Sony W690
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $257
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compared to Sony WX80

Canon 520 HS
Sony WX80
  • $441
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Ricoh Theta S
Sony WX80
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
Compare Other Cameras?