OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Action cameras Methodology v1.0
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Ricoh THETA SC Review | 96 Data compared

Avg. price:~£260Video resolution:1080pBattery life:260 minWaterproof depth:0 mElectronic image stabilization:noMaximum 4K frame rate:0 fps

Ricoh THETA SC Review: Compare 96 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Action cameras category and whether it is worth buying.

5.0

Overall score

Score
5.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the action camera's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best action cameras on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 89% of models
Score components

80%

4.2

Technical score

20%

8.2

User score

â–¼Worse than 89% of action-cameras
4.2

Technical score

Technical score
4.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Action cameras category across these key areas: Video, Photo, Display & Design, Connectivity & Audio, Battery, Ruggedness & Storage.
When it matters
When you want to compare action cameras based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 95% of models
Score components

30%

2.7

Video

22%

6.6

Photo

14%

3.0

Ruggedness & Storage

13%

5.7

Battery

11%

4.9

Connectivity & Audio

10%

2.5

Display & Design

â–¼Worse than 95% of action-cameras
8.2

User score

User score
8.2/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the action camera.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 63% of models
Score components

70%

8.1

User ratings

30%

8.2

Number of reviews

Based on 1,744 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
â–²Better than 63% of action-cameras
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Best prices

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Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of action camera Ricoh THETA SC

Technical score
Technical score
4.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Action cameras category across these key areas: Video, Photo, Display & Design, Connectivity & Audio, Battery, Ruggedness & Storage.
When it matters
When you want to compare action cameras based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 95% of models
Score components:

30%

2.7

Video

22%

6.6

Photo

14%

3.0

Ruggedness & Storage

13%

5.7

Battery

11%

4.9

Connectivity & Audio

10%

2.5

Display & Design

4.2
User score
User score
8.2/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the action camera.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 63% of models
Score components

70%

8.1

User ratings

30%

8.2

Number of reviews

Based on 1,744 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
8.2
Popularity
Popularity
8.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the action camera.
When it matters
When you want to see which action cameras attract the most buyer attention and review activity.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 68% of models
Popularity:
Ricoh THETA SC has a popularity score of 8.2 points, which is higher than 68.1% of action cameras.
8.2
Ratio quality/price
Value for money
6.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the action camera's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you want to know how much overall quality you get for the price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components:

60%

5.0

Overall score

40%

9.2

Price

6.2
Video resolution
1080p
Video resolution
1080p
â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
This action camera records video at 1080p, which is lower than that of 69.9% of action cameras.
Maximum 4K frame rate
0 fps
Maximum 4K frame rate
0 fps
â–¼ Worse than 66% of models
Market range: <0 fps – >120 fps
This action camera has a maximum 4K frame rate of 0 fps, which is lower than that of 65.8% of action cameras and equal to that of 34.2% of action cameras.
Maximum 1080p frame rate
30 fps
Maximum 1080p frame rate
30 fps
â–¼ Worse than 77% of models
Market range: <30 fps – >240 fps
This action camera has a maximum 1080p frame rate of 30 fps, which is lower than that of 77.5% of action cameras and equal to that of 21.2% of action cameras.
Video bitrate
16 Mbps
Video bitrate
16 Mbps
â–¼ Worse than 92% of models
Market range: <19 Mbps – >130 Mbps
This action camera has a video bitrate of 16 Mbps, which is lower than that of 92.1% of action cameras.
Video codecs
H.264
Video codecs
H.264
â–¼ Worse than 33% of models
This action camera supports the following video codecs: H.264. Its codec support is more advanced than that of 2.4% of action cameras.
Show more
Main camera megapixels
?
Sensor size
?
Main camera aperture
?
Photo resolution
?
Field of view
360 °
Field of view
360 °
★ Better than 90% of models
Market range: <128 ° – >360 °
This action camera has a field of view of 360 °, which is wider than that of 89.8% of action cameras.
Show more
Built-in display
no
Built-in display
no
â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
This action camera does not have a display. 72.6% of action cameras have a display.
Screen size
0 inch
Screen size
0 inch
â–¼ Worse than 87% of models
Market range: <0 inch – >2.5 inch
This action camera has a 0 inch screen, which is smaller than the screens on 86.6% of action cameras and the same size as the screens on 13.4% of action cameras.
Touchscreen
no
Touchscreen
no
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
This action camera does not include a touchscreen. 57.9% of action cameras support touchscreen input.
Secondary screen
no
Secondary screen
no
â–¼ Worse than 9% of models
This action camera does not have a secondary screen. 8.7% of action cameras have a secondary screen.
Secondary screen resolution
N/A
Show more
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
â–² Better than 7% of models
This action camera supports Wi-Fi connectivity. This feature is present on 92.5% of action cameras.
Wi-Fi version
?
Bluetooth version
N/A
GPS
no
GPS
no
â–¼ Worse than 14% of models
This action camera does not support GPS. 13.9% of action cameras include GPS functionality.
GPS data requires a phone or external accessory.
USB Type-C
no
USB Type-C
no
â–¼ Worse than 42% of models
This action camera does not include USB Type-C. 42.2% of action cameras use USB-C.
Show more
Battery life
260 min
Battery life
260 min
★ Better than 97% of models
Market range: <60 min – >162 min
This action camera runs for 260 min per charge, which is longer than the battery life of 97% of action cameras.
Battery power
?
Charging time
4 h
Charging time
4 h
â–¼ Worse than 92% of models
Market range: <0.95 h – >3.5 h
This action camera charges in 4 h, which is longer than the charging time of 92.1% of action cameras and equal to the charging time of 4.6% of action cameras.
Fast charging
no
Fast charging
no
â–¼ Worse than 19% of models
This action camera does not support fast charging. 18.8% of action cameras support fast charging.
Wireless charging
no
Wireless charging
no
â–¼ Worse than 1% of models
This action camera does not support wireless charging. 0.6% of action cameras support wireless charging.
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Waterproof depth
Not waterproof m
Waterproof depth
Not waterproof m
â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
This action camera is not rated for underwater use. 51.8% of cameras have a native waterproof depth rating.
Not waterproof without a separate underwater housing case
IP rating
?
Maximum operating temperature
40 °C
Maximum operating temperature
40 °C
â–¼ Worse than 26% of models
Market range: <35 °C – >45 °C
This action camera has a maximum operating temperature of 40 °C, which is higher than that of 23.4% of action cameras and equal to that of 50.4% of action cameras.
Minimum operating temperature
0 °C
Minimum operating temperature
0 °C
â–¼ Worse than 74% of models
Market range: <-20 °C – >0 °C
This action camera has a minimum operating temperature of 0 °C, which is higher than that of 74.5% of action cameras and equal to that of 22% of action cameras.
External memory slot
no
External memory slot
no
â–¼ Worse than 96% of models
This action camera does not include an external memory slot. 95.8% of action cameras include an external memory slot.
Built-in 8 GB storage only.
Show more

Ricoh THETA SC vs the average action camera

246810TotalVideoPhotoDisplay & DesignConnectivity & AudioBatteryRuggedness & Storage
  • 170 min longer battery life
    Battery life
    260 min
    ★ Better than 97% of models
    Market range: <60 min – >162 min
    This action camera has longer battery life than the average action camera (260 min vs 90 min). The average action camera offers 90 min of battery life.
    260 min vs 90 min
  • Has HDR mode
    HDR mode
    yes
    â–² Better than 74% of models
    This action camera supports HDR mode, the average action camera does not. 26.4% of action cameras include HDR.
  • 190 ° wider field of view
    Field of view
    360 °
    ★ Better than 90% of models
    Market range: <128 ° – >360 °
    This action camera has a higher field of view than the average action camera (360 ° vs 170 °). The average action camera offers a field of view of 170 °.
    360 ° vs 170 °
  • Invisible selfie stick
    Invisible selfie stick support
    yes
    â–² Better than 87% of models
    This action camera supports the invisible selfie stick effect, the average action camera does not. 13.2% of action cameras support an invisible selfie stick effect.
  • Has a multi-lens main camera
    Multi-lens main camera
    yes
    â–² Better than 87% of models
    This action camera has a multi-lens main camera setup, the average action camera does not. 13.2% of action cameras include multi-lens setups.
  • Supports 360° capture
    360° capture
    yes
    â–² Better than 87% of models
    This action camera supports 360° capture, the average action camera does not. 13.2% of action cameras support this.
  • 7.1 mm thinner
    Thickness
    22.9 mm
    â–² Better than 86% of models
    Market range: <21.1 mm – >42 mm
    This action camera is thinner than the average action camera (22.9 mm vs 30 mm). The average action camera has a thickness of 30 mm.
    22.9 mm vs 30 mm
  • 13.8 mm narrower
    Width
    45.2 mm
    â–² Better than 78% of models
    Market range: <26.5 mm – >71.8 mm
    This action camera is narrower than the average action camera (45.2 mm vs 59 mm). The average action camera has a width of 59 mm.
    45.2 mm vs 59 mm
  • Has HDR mode
    HDR mode
    yes
    â–² Better than 74% of models
    This action camera supports HDR mode, the average action camera does not. 26.4% of action cameras include HDR.
  • Invisible selfie stick
    Invisible selfie stick support
    yes
    â–² Better than 87% of models
    This action camera supports the invisible selfie stick effect, the average action camera does not. 13.2% of action cameras support an invisible selfie stick effect.
  • 190 ° wider field of view
    Field of view
    360 °
    ★ Better than 90% of models
    Market range: <128 ° – >360 °
    This action camera has a higher field of view than the average action camera (360 ° vs 170 °). The average action camera offers a field of view of 170 °.
    360 ° vs 170 °
  • Has a multi-lens main camera
    Multi-lens main camera
    yes
    â–² Better than 87% of models
    This action camera has a multi-lens main camera setup, the average action camera does not. 13.2% of action cameras include multi-lens setups.
  • Supports 360° capture
    360° capture
    yes
    â–² Better than 87% of models
    This action camera supports 360° capture, the average action camera does not. 13.2% of action cameras support this.
  • 7.1 mm thinner
    Thickness
    22.9 mm
    â–² Better than 86% of models
    Market range: <21.1 mm – >42 mm
    This action camera is thinner than the average action camera (22.9 mm vs 30 mm). The average action camera has a thickness of 30 mm.
    22.9 mm vs 30 mm
  • 13.8 mm narrower
    Width
    45.2 mm
    â–² Better than 78% of models
    Market range: <26.5 mm – >71.8 mm
    This action camera is narrower than the average action camera (45.2 mm vs 59 mm). The average action camera has a width of 59 mm.
    45.2 mm vs 59 mm
  • 170 min longer battery life
    Battery life
    260 min
    ★ Better than 97% of models
    Market range: <60 min – >162 min
    This action camera has longer battery life than the average action camera (260 min vs 90 min). The average action camera offers 90 min of battery life.
    260 min vs 90 min
  • Lower video resolution
    Video resolution
    1080p
    â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
    This action camera records at 1080p, a lower video resolution than the average action camera (5.3K).
    1080p vs 5.3K
  • No electronic stabilization
    Electronic image stabilization
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
    This action camera does not support electronic stabilization, the average action camera does. 64.7% of action cameras support electronic image stabilization.
  • 30 fps lower 4K frame rate
    Maximum 4K frame rate
    0 fps
    â–¼ Worse than 66% of models
    Market range: <0 fps – >120 fps
    This action camera has a lower 4K frame rate than the average action camera (0 fps vs 30 fps). The average action camera reaches 30 fps at 4K.
    0 fps vs 30 fps
  • 4,800 ISO lower max ISO
    Maximum ISO
    1,600 ISO
    â–¼ Worse than 85% of models
    Market range: <1.6k ISO – >6.4k ISO
    This action camera has a lower maximum ISO than the average action camera (1600 ISO vs 6400 ISO). The average action camera reaches a maximum ISO of 6400 ISO.
    1,600 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
  • 73.3% lower video bitrate
    Video bitrate
    16 Mbps
    â–¼ Worse than 92% of models
    Market range: <19 Mbps – >130 Mbps
    This action camera has a lower video bitrate than the average action camera (16 Mbps vs 60 Mbps). The average action camera has a video bitrate of 60 Mbps.
    16 Mbps vs 60 Mbps
  • No touchscreen
    Touchscreen
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
    This action camera does not have a touchscreen, the average action camera does. 57.4% of action cameras support touchscreen input.
  • 2 h longer charging time
    Charging time
    4 h
    â–¼ Worse than 92% of models
    Market range: <0.95 h – >3.5 h
    This action camera has a higher charging time than the average action camera (4 h vs 2 h). The average action camera takes 2 h to charge.
    4 h vs 2 h
  • 2 fps lower slow-motion frame rate
    Slow-motion video
    0 fps
    â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
    Market range: <0 fps – >240 fps
    This action camera has a lower slow-motion frame rate than the average action camera (0 fps vs 120 fps). The average action camera reaches 120 fps for slow motion.
    0 fps vs 120 fps
  • 11.6% worse value for money
    Ricoh THETA SC has a worse value-for-money score than the average action camera (6.25 vs 7).
    6.25 vs 6.97
  • Lower video resolution
    Video resolution
    1080p
    â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
    This action camera records at 1080p, a lower video resolution than the average action camera (5.3K).
    1080p vs 5.3K
  • No electronic stabilization
    Electronic image stabilization
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
    This action camera does not support electronic stabilization, the average action camera does. 64.7% of action cameras support electronic image stabilization.
  • 30 fps lower 4K frame rate
    Maximum 4K frame rate
    0 fps
    â–¼ Worse than 66% of models
    Market range: <0 fps – >120 fps
    This action camera has a lower 4K frame rate than the average action camera (0 fps vs 30 fps). The average action camera reaches 30 fps at 4K.
    0 fps vs 30 fps
  • 73.3% lower video bitrate
    Video bitrate
    16 Mbps
    â–¼ Worse than 92% of models
    Market range: <19 Mbps – >130 Mbps
    This action camera has a lower video bitrate than the average action camera (16 Mbps vs 60 Mbps). The average action camera has a video bitrate of 60 Mbps.
    16 Mbps vs 60 Mbps
  • 2 fps lower slow-motion frame rate
    Slow-motion video
    0 fps
    â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
    Market range: <0 fps – >240 fps
    This action camera has a lower slow-motion frame rate than the average action camera (0 fps vs 120 fps). The average action camera reaches 120 fps for slow motion.
    0 fps vs 120 fps
  • No webcam mode
    Webcam mode
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    This action camera does not support webcam mode, the average action camera does. 60.7% of action cameras support webcam mode.
  • 30 fps lower 1080p frame rate
    Maximum 1080p frame rate
    30 fps
    â–¼ Worse than 77% of models
    Market range: <30 fps – >240 fps
    This action camera has a lower 1080p frame rate than the average action camera (30 fps vs 60 fps). The average action camera reaches 60 fps at 1080p.
    30 fps vs 60 fps
  • 4,800 ISO lower max ISO
    Maximum ISO
    1,600 ISO
    â–¼ Worse than 85% of models
    Market range: <1.6k ISO – >6.4k ISO
    This action camera has a lower maximum ISO than the average action camera (1600 ISO vs 6400 ISO). The average action camera reaches a maximum ISO of 6400 ISO.
    1,600 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
  • No burst mode
    Burst shooting mode
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 80% of models
    This action camera does not support burst shooting, the average action camera does. 79% of action cameras support burst shooting.
  • No touchscreen
    Touchscreen
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
    This action camera does not have a touchscreen, the average action camera does. 57.4% of action cameras support touchscreen input.
  • Does not have a display
    Built-in display
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
    This action camera does not have a display, the average action camera does. 72.1% of action cameras have a display.
  • 85.6 mm taller
    Height
    130.6 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 94% of models
    Market range: <40.5 mm – >124.5 mm
    This action camera is taller than the average action camera (130.6 mm vs 45 mm). The average action camera has a height of 45 mm.
    130.6 mm vs 45 mm
  • 2 older release date
    Release date
    2016
    â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This action camera is older than the average action camera (2016 vs 2018). The average action camera was released in 2018.
    Released in October 2016.
    2016 vs 2018
  • 2 h longer charging time
    Charging time
    4 h
    â–¼ Worse than 92% of models
    Market range: <0.95 h – >3.5 h
    This action camera has a higher charging time than the average action camera (4 h vs 2 h). The average action camera takes 2 h to charge.
    4 h vs 2 h
  • No removable battery
    Removable battery
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 67% of models
    This action camera does not have a removable battery, while the average action camera does.
  • No external memory slot
    External memory slot
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 96% of models
    This action camera does not include an external memory slot, the average action camera does. 95.2% of action cameras include an external memory slot.
    Built-in 8 GB storage only.
  • 1 m shallower waterproof depth
    Waterproof depth
    0 m
    â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
    Market range: <0 m – >11 m
    This action camera has a lower waterproof depth rating than the average action camera (0 m vs 1 m). The average action camera has a waterproof depth rating of 1 m.
    Not waterproof without a separate underwater housing case
    0 m vs 1 m
  • 128 GB smaller microSD limit
    Maximum microSD capacity
    0 GB
    â–¼ Worse than 96% of models
    Market range: <32 GB – >1k GB
    This action camera has a lower maximum microSD capacity than the average action camera (0 GB vs 128 GB). The average action camera supports microSD cards up to 128 GB.
    0 GB vs 128 GB
  • 8 GB less storage
    Internal storage
    8 GB
    ★ Better than 93% of models
    Market range: <0 GB – >0.068 GB
    This action camera has less internal storage than the average action camera (8 GB vs 0 GB). The average action camera offers 0 GB of internal storage.
    8 GB vs 0 GB

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

P
pcmag.com
14/06/2017
Summary of the review
Ricoh Theta SC Review - PCMag
A
au.pcmag.com
15/06/2017
Summary of the review
Ricoh Theta SC Review - PCMag Australia
U
uk.pcmag.com
14/06/2017
Summary of the review
Ricoh Theta SC Review - PCMag UK
M
motorcycleparadise.net
07/12/2017
Summary of the review
Ricoh Theta 360 SC camera | Motorcycle Paradise

Third-party reviews

Based on 1,744 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: July 2026 · How we calculate this
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →

What we like about Ricoh THETA SC

  • Slim, pocketable candy-bar design that is highly portable
  • Intuitive controls and exceptionally easy standalone operation
  • Excellent internal 360-degree automatic stitching with no post-editing required
  • Strong 14MP still photography performance with warm, natural colours
  • Competitive, budget-friendly entry price point for 360-degree capturing
  • Includes helpful manual exposure, interval mode, and semi-automatic settings via the app

What we don't like about Ricoh THETA SC

  • Underwhelming and blurry 1080p video quality due to heavy lens compression
  • Very strict 5-minute continuous recording limit per video clip
  • No expandable storage option, restricting users to the 8GB internal memory
  • Slow wireless file transfer speeds when sending large media files to a smartphone
  • Lacks a built-in HDMI port and does not support live streaming
  • Protruding fisheye lenses are highly prone to scratching when resting on flat surfaces

Verdict

The Ricoh Theta SC is a slim, candy-bar-styled 360-degree camera featuring dual 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensors that capture 14-megapixel spherical stills and Full HD video (1920 x 1080) at 30fps. It is equipped with two bright f/2.0 lenses and 8GB of internal storage, capable of holding approximately 1,600 images or 63 minutes of video footage. Its primary strengths include its highly portable, lightweight resin body, simple one-button operation, and manual exposure controls via a dedicated smartphone app. However, it is limited by a maximum continuous video recording time of only five minutes per clip, underwhelming video quality compared to modern action cams, a lack of expandable memory, and no support for live streaming or micro-HDMI output.

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