Ricoh THETA V Review | 108 Data compared

The Ricoh Theta V, an Android-based 360-degree camera featuring a Snapdragon 625 processor, offers significant upgrades including 4K video capture at 30p, 802.11ac Wi-Fi for faster transfers, and 360-degree spatial audio. While enhancing performance through plug-in expandability and 4K live streaming capabilities, the device retains a slim, portable design. However, the camera is limited by a non-expandable 19GB internal storage, unchanged 12MP sensors from previous models, and requires a $199 optional housing for waterproofing.

The Ricoh Theta V is a 360-degree camera designed to replace the Theta S, maintaining its predecessor's highly praised, remote-control-shaped form factor that allows for comfortable, one-handed operation and easy pocketability. It distinguishes itself by being the first 360-degree camera powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile processor running an Android-based operating system, enabling future expandability via downloadable apps. Key performance upgrades include a ten-times faster data transfer speed compared to older models, an internal storage boost up to 19GB, and upgraded Wi-Fi protocols. It also supports wireless streaming via Miracast (720p resolution) to compatible devices like Roku or Amazon Fire Sticks, allowing the camera to act as a remote motion cursor. Key Pros and Cons Pros: Significant visual upgrades, including 4K video resolution with accurate colors and smooth stitching. Immersive spatial (surround) audio recorded via four built-in microphones, with an available $270 Audio-Technica external mic accessory for crisper audio. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) ensures an always-on smartphone connection for rapid shooting and setting adjustments. Cons: Complete lack of a display screen or physical onboard controls, forcing users to rely entirely...

The Ricoh Theta V is a candy-bar-shaped 4K 360 camera that stands out for delivering impressively clear, color-accurate, and low-light-capable 360-degree video using advanced lens technology and an upgraded processor. It represents a significant jump over its predecessor by catching up to the modern 4K standard and introducing built-in spatial audio through four integrated microphones. On the photography front, while it keeps the same 15-megapixel resolution as older models, it introduces an efficient instant HDR mode that instantly blends three simultaneous exposures to improve image lighting dramatically. The premium, slim hardware design also ensures that the dual lenses remain close together, which effectively minimizes obvious image stitching lines. Despite its high-quality video performance, the camera has notable limitations, with the complete lack of built-in video stabilization being its biggest omission, making moving action shots highly shaky and difficult to watch. Storage capacity is highly restrictive, offering only 19GB of internal memory with no option for micro SD expansion, which quickly fills up due to large 4K file sizes. Furthermore, the required smartphone software app is slow, buggy, and forces tedious...

The PCMag UK review rates the Ricoh Theta V as a "3.5 Good" 360-degree camera. The camera stands out for its slim, pocket-sized form factor and dual f/2 lenses. It is a big upgrade over older models because it ups video resolution to 4K and adds built-in Bluetooth to easily snap shots from your phone. It also features excellent spatial audio through four built-in microphones and supports high-quality external microphones via a 3.5mm jack. However, the reviewer points out several notable drawbacks. The camera is locked at a 30fps video frame rate, and despite its 4K upgrade, the footage can still look a bit soft when stretched over a full 360-degree sphere. Furthermore, it lacks removable memory slots and a removable battery, leaving users stuck with 19GB of internal storage. Finally, it is quite expensive at £554.58 / $429.95 and is not waterproof out of the box, requiring an additional, pricey $199.95 case

The Ricoh Theta V is a slim, handheld 360-degree camera focused on enhanced video capture. It features dual f/2 lenses paired with dual 12MP sensors. Key pros include its 4K spherical video capabilities and four-channel directional spatial audio. Additionally, it boasts a dedicated 3.5mm external microphone input. Users also benefit from upgraded Wi-Fi speeds and new Bluetooth connectivity. This allows for quick remote control via Android and iOS apps. However, the camera has several notable cons. It is relatively expensive and lacks built-in waterproofing. Protection requires a pricey, standalone external case. Storage is entirely internal, non-expandable, and limited to 19GB. This allocation only holds 40 minutes of 4K footage. Furthermore, individual 4K clips are restricted to five-minute limits. Frame rates are also locked at a standard 30fps. Ultimately, slightly soft visual quality makes it tough to recommend over cheaper alternatives.

The Ricoh Theta V is a highly user-friendly, popsicle-shaped 360-degree spherical camera that upgrades internal performance with a fast Qualcomm processor. It shoots high-quality 4K video at 30fps and 14-megapixel still images, marking a massive resolution jump over its 1080p predecessor. The camera excels in low-light environments, features smooth internal image-stitching, and delivers quick data transfers to mobile devices. Additionally, it records immersive spatial audio using a new array of four built-in microphones, making it an excellent standalone option for VR content creation. However, the device is held back by several notable limitations. Users are constrained to just 19 GB of internal storage with no option for micro SD expansion, meaning 4K footage fills the camera up very quickly. While its basic digital image stabilization is decent, it struggles to mask handheld jitters when zoomed into a clip. Additionally, the lenses remain susceptible to lens flares when shooting directly into the sun, and the first-party waterproof housing required for underwater use is prohibitively expensive at $200.

The B&H Photo Explora review highlights the Ricoh Theta V as a highly portable 360-degree camera featuring 4K video, high-resolution photos, and immersive VR-compatible sound, with a user-friendly, pocket-sized design and easy Wi-Fi smartphone setup. Key advantages include its efficient twin 12MP sensor hardware and 4-channel microphone, making it a powerful tool for capturing spherical content in a small package. B&H Photo However, the field test notes drawbacks in the post-production workflow, specifically citing a steep learning curve for file transfers to a computer and the inconvenience of using multiple apps for full functionality. Additionally, the camera lacks an expandable SD card slot, relying instead on 19GB of internal storage. Despite these hurdles, the reviewer found the overall performance impressive, reconfirming the device's value for immersive imaging.

Ricoh Theta V Review Summary The Ricoh Theta V is a highly user-friendly 360-degree camera designed for everyday consumers, featuring a slim, lightweight, and familiar remote-like design. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, its processing speeds are ten times faster than its predecessor, allowing for quick file saving and clear, lag-free live-view streaming through its mobile app. The camera significantly improves video quality by recording in 4K resolution at 30 fps, while maintaining dual 12-megapixel sensors for balanced, well-stitched outdoor photos. Additionally, it features advanced 360-degree spatial audio recording through multiple built-in microphones, providing an immersive sound experience when paired with headphones. However, the camera has notable limitations, including a small 19GB built-in storage capacity with no option to add an external memory card. It completely lacks optical image stabilization, which can result in jittery video footage if the user is moving around. The 4K video recording is also limited to short five-minute bursts due to overheating issues. On the software side, the smartphone app lacks advanced editing features, and initiating 4K live streams or wireless casting to a TV...