• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.5 megapixels
  • 7.30mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Nikon S6900 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
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More telephoto lens reach
    300 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
  • 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 S6900

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 260 vs 180 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Lighter weight
    125g vs 181g
    Lighter weight
  • Wider angle lens
    7 mm vs 25 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S6900

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 Nikon S800c

Nikon S6900
Nikon S800c
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Higher-res screen
Ricoh Theta S
Nikon S800c
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Nikon S6500

Nikon S6900
Nikon S6500
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
Ricoh Theta S
Nikon S6500
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compared to Panasonic ZS25

Nikon S6900
Panasonic ZS25
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $470
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
Ricoh Theta S
Panasonic ZS25
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $470
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Samsung WB35F

Nikon S6900
Samsung WB35F
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
Ricoh Theta S
Samsung WB35F
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • HDMI out
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compared to Nikon S810c

Nikon S6900
Nikon S810c
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Longer stills battery life
Ricoh Theta S
Nikon S810c
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Lighter weight
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Compare Other Cameras?