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Add to SafariWhen comparing Ricoh Theta M15 vs Samsung Gear 360, the Slant community recommends Samsung Gear 360 for most people. In the question“What are the best 360-degree cameras?” Samsung Gear 360 is ranked 4th while Ricoh Theta M15 is ranked 16th. The most important reason people chose Samsung Gear 360 is:
Samsing Gear 360 is extremely easy to use. The software experience is excellent and intuitive with minimal (if any) bugs or issues. It's so easy that even an absolute beginner can use it without any problems.
Specs
Question Ranking
Pros
Pro Easy to use
Theta has a button in the middle of the camera body that takes 360-degree images when pressed. This makes using the device very straightforward, if not self explanatory.
Pro Excellent portability
Theta is lightweight at just 95 g and small at 42 mm (W) x 129 mm (H) x 22.8 mm. This means that it can be easily carried around in a pocket or bag with practically no additional weight. Theta is therefore very flexible thanks to its size.
Pro Currently available, unlike other options
The Ricoh Theta is already shipping and has an established ecosystem of web apps, mobile apps, and strong user communities on Facebook and Google+. Most other options aren't available yet for purchase.
Pro Good value for money
This 360 cam is one of the cheapest of its kind, it's a perfect size , and it can be connected to the user's smartphone. All of this, plus the ability to capture the world at 360°, for a very reasonable price.
Pro Good accompanying software
Theta comes with Windows and Mac applications for managing captured footage, as well as iOS and Android companion apps that allow images to be taken remotely. Together these render the device extremely useful.
Pro Very easy to set up and use
Samsing Gear 360 is extremely easy to use. The software experience is excellent and intuitive with minimal (if any) bugs or issues. It's so easy that even an absolute beginner can use it without any problems.
Pro Can connect and edit wirelessly
When connected to a Galaxy device, you can use the familiar Samsung camera apps with the same buttons and settings in the same places.
There are a few new buttons such as the one that lets you select which Gear 360 lens to use (front, back, or both), and another one for the live view.
Pro No seam artifacts
Offers dual F2.0 lenses at 195° FOV each. The amount of overlap in theory should reduce seam artifacts (even if it isn't perfect) and the F2.0 aperture will make shooting in low-light a breeze.
Pro Straightforward updating experience
Updating the firmware on the camera is pretty easy. You don't have to download a binary on your computer and transfer it to the camera or anything like that. Instead, it's all done through Wi-Fi directly from the camera itself.
Pro Will feel very familiar for users who have used a Samsung mobile device in the past
The camera and sharing applications are very similar to Samsung's camera and gallery apps (with minor differences). Anyone who has used a Samsung mobile device in the past will find it very easy to get used to these apps as well.
Pro Can shoot videos at 60 frames per second
There's an option to shoot 360-degree videos at 60 frames per second. Unfortunately, the resolution drops to 2560 x 1280 when you choose that option.
Cons
Con Poor image quality for the asking price
While there's no official word on sensors and image processors, expert reviews suggest that it's within the 5-6.5MP range. Theta produces reasonable images, but better images should be expected, given its price range.
Con Lack of expandable memory
Theta comes with 4 GB built-in memory which can only take videos of 4-5 minutes. Sadly there is no way to expand this memory as there is no external card slot.
Con Blatant image stitching
Virtually all photos and videos that have been published present blatantly poor stitching: it is clear to see where the images were taken and digitally stitched together.
Con Only compatible with Samsung flagships
This camera can only be paired with the latest Samsung flagships which are S7, S7 edge, Note5, S6 edge plus, S6 edge, and S6.
Con Soft focus or blur quality
Distant objects will be blurry in the final result, whether it is a still picture or a video.
Con Difficult to carry around
While most 360-degree cameras are small enough to fit inside a pocket, it is not the case for the Samsung Gear 360. The round shape makes it uncomfortable to fit inside a pocket and you need a bag to carry it around.
Con Video not stitched in camera
Better cameras give you finished video, ready to use. Samsung's need post processing to render viewable 360 video. Not only inconvenient, but a very slow process and subpar results with very raw stitching.
