• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.5 megapixels
  • 7.30mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon AW130 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!
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More telephoto lens reach
    120 mm vs 7 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 370 vs 260 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Ricoh Theta S advantages over Nikon AW130

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/2.8
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Lighter weight
    125g vs 221g
    Lighter weight
  • Wider angle lens
    7 mm vs 24 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/6400 vs 1/4000 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
  • 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
  • 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 Nikon AW130

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 Canon A1300

Nikon AW130
Canon A1300
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $134
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
Ricoh Theta S
Canon A1300
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $134
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compared to Canon A1400

Nikon AW130
Canon A1400
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $336
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
Ricoh Theta S
Canon A1400
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $336
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compared to Nikon AW120

Nikon AW130
Nikon AW120
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
Ricoh Theta S
Nikon AW120
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Waterproof

Compared to Canon N2

Nikon AW130
Canon N2
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $699
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Touchscreen
Ricoh Theta S
Canon N2
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $699
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compared to Nikon W300

Nikon AW130
Nikon W300
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $387
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Ricoh Theta S
Nikon W300
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Lighter weight
  • $387
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Rear display
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