• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 550.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.5 megapixels
  • 7.30mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Nikon S9500 advantages over Ricoh Theta S

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • More telephoto lens reach
    550 mm vs 7 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • More pixels
    18.1 vs 14.5 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • 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
    3200 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Ricoh Theta S advantages over Nikon S9500

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.4
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 30 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    125g vs 205g
    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 1/1500 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S9500
Nikon S9500

Your purchases support this site

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 Sony HX10V

Nikon S9500
Sony HX10V
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $375
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More dots on screen

Compare Nikon S9500 vs Sony HX10V

Ricoh Theta S
Sony HX10V
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $375
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Sony HX10V

Compared to Panasonic ZS19

Nikon S9500
Panasonic ZS19
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS19

Ricoh Theta S
Panasonic ZS19
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Panasonic ZS19

Compared to Panasonic ZS30

Nikon S9500
Panasonic ZS30
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS30

Ricoh Theta S
Panasonic ZS30
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Panasonic ZS30

Compared to Panasonic ZS25

Nikon S9500
Panasonic ZS25
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
  • $470
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS25

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

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Panasonic ZS25

Compared to Panasonic ZS40

Nikon S9500
Panasonic ZS40
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS40

Ricoh Theta S
Panasonic ZS40
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Panasonic ZS40

Compare Other Cameras?