• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.5 megapixels
  • 7.30mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony NEX-5T 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
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 330 vs 260 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Ricoh Theta S advantages over Sony NEX-5T

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 38 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 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

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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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 Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-5T
Sony NEX-5R
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Wider angle kit lens
  • $499
  • APS-C

Compare Sony NEX-5T vs Sony NEX-5R

Ricoh Theta S
Sony NEX-5R
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Sony NEX-3N

Sony NEX-5T
Sony NEX-3N
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony NEX-5T vs Sony NEX-3N

Ricoh Theta S
Sony NEX-3N
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Sony NEX-3N

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sony NEX-5T
Samsung NX1100
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels

Compare Sony NEX-5T vs Samsung NX1100

Ricoh Theta S
Samsung NX1100
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Larger sensor

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Samsung NX1100

Compared to Fujifilm X-A1

Sony NEX-5T
Fujifilm X-A1
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Sony NEX-5T vs Fujifilm X-A1

Ricoh Theta S
Fujifilm X-A1
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Fujifilm X-A1

Compared to Sony A5000

Sony NEX-5T
Sony A5000
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash

Compare Sony NEX-5T vs Sony A5000

Ricoh Theta S
Sony A5000
  • $290
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Longer exposure
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh Theta S vs Sony A5000

Compare Other Cameras?