• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.5 megapixels
  • 7.30mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SD1200 IS advantages over Ricoh Theta S

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Less expensive
    $230 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • More telephoto lens reach
    105 mm vs 7 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Ricoh Theta S advantages over Canon SD1200 IS

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/2.8
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Newer
    8 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    14.5 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    7 mm vs 35 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/6400 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Canon SD1200 IS

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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 Samsung L210

Canon SD1200 IS
Samsung L210
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $99
  • 1/2.33 inch

Compare Canon SD1200 IS vs Samsung L210

Ricoh Theta S
Samsung L210
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $99
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Samsung L210

Compared to Samsung NV40

Canon SD1200 IS
Samsung NV40
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $329
  • 1/2.33 inch

Compare Canon SD1200 IS vs Samsung NV40

Ricoh Theta S
Samsung NV40
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $329
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Samsung NV40

Compared to Samsung NV24 HD

Canon SD1200 IS
Samsung NV24 HD
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Canon SD1200 IS vs Samsung NV24 HD

Ricoh Theta S
Samsung NV24 HD
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Samsung NV24 HD

Compared to Nikon S520

Canon SD1200 IS
Nikon S520
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $162
  • 1/2.5 inch

Compare Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon S520

Ricoh Theta S
Nikon S520
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $162
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Nikon S520

Compared to Sony DSC-W230

Canon SD1200 IS
Sony DSC-W230
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer exposure
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SD1200 IS vs Sony DSC-W230

Ricoh Theta S
Sony DSC-W230
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Sony DSC-W230

Compare Other Cameras?