• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.5 megapixels
  • 7.30mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic ZS50 advantages over Ricoh Theta S

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 7 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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 Panasonic ZS50

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 34 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    125g vs 243g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    14.5 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    7 mm vs 24 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster shutter
    1/6400 vs 1/2000 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS50
Panasonic ZS50 (Black)
  • Panasonic ZS50 (Black)
  • Panasonic ZS50 (Silver)
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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 Canon SX280 HS

Panasonic ZS50
Canon SX280 HS
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Canon SX280 HS

Ricoh Theta S
Canon SX280 HS
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Canon SX280 HS

Compared to Panasonic ZS40

Panasonic ZS50
Panasonic ZS40
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS50 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

Compared to Panasonic ZS35

Panasonic ZS50
Panasonic ZS35
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Panasonic ZS35

Ricoh Theta S
Panasonic ZS35
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Thinner
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Panasonic ZS35

Compared to Canon SX700 HS

Panasonic ZS50
Canon SX700 HS
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Faster shutter

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Canon SX700 HS

Ricoh Theta S
Canon SX700 HS
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Canon SX700 HS

Compared to Panasonic ZS45

Panasonic ZS50
Panasonic ZS45
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $199
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Panasonic ZS45

Ricoh Theta S
Panasonic ZS45
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Thinner
  • $199
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Panasonic ZS45

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