Ricoh Theta m15 Review

Conclusion

In this review we've taken a close look at the Ricoh Theta m15, a small camera with an immense field of view.  At the push of a button, this unique gadget lets you capture everything around you and view it in many different ways.  This gives rise to immense creative possibility.

Ricoh Theta m15Yellow Ricoh Theta m15

Some might use the Theta to create interesting 360-degree panoramas, such as the one below.

Panorama360-degree Panorama - Click to Enlarge

When projected differently in the Theta software or mobile app, the very same image can cake on an entirely different appearance.  Here we can better appreciate the continuity of the lake and the path while also scratching our heads about how exactly an image like this is possible:

GlobeTop-Down View - Click to Enlarge

Finally, the Theta can be used to produce more traditional-looking images.  If you just want to show off a portion of the frame, you can pan or zoom to your liking.  In this final photo, we're focused on the pool:

PoolCropped and Zoomed View

All three of the photos you've just seen were created from a single Theta exposure.  The possibilities with this camera are endless, and that's what makes it so much fun not only for photographers, but also casual users who plan on using the Theta for family, event, or selfie photos.

The Theta m15's video mode is equally robust and arguably an even more impressive feature.

The Bottom Line

We find the Ricoh Theta m15 to be a slam-dunk product.  At $299, it's not only cheaper but also more powerful than the original model, which was unable to capture videos.  This is a very reasonable price and makes the Theta a great value, in our opinion.  The Theta can accompany you just about everywhere you go— as long as you remember to bring that protective case to avoid risking damage to the lenses.  It's very fun to take images with this camera and even more exciting to view them interactively via the mobile or desktop app.  The camera is so appealing because it puts an entirely new spin on photography and truly lets you bend the rules (no pun intended) to produce unique images.  This is the kind of innovation we should be seeing in all Pentax and Ricoh products.

The Theta is ridiculously easy to use without a smartphone and impressively powerful when paired with one.  But as any product, it's not perfect.  While the mobile app gets the job done and offers plenty of features, it could be made more user-friendly.  In its current state, the app can feel overly cluttered, a little confusing, and quirky at times.  We would also have loved to see a higher resolution in the Theta's still images, as this would bring more detail to crops.

In a future model, the addition of live view (over Wi-Fi), improved resolution, video viewable on smartphones, and more on-camera functions like a self-timer would make the Theta an even more outstanding device.

At the end of the day, this camera deserves to be a part of your kit no matter what kind of photography you enjoy.  If you already own one and would like to share your thoughts, feel free to post a user review in our camera database.

Click here to order your Theta m15 at B&H Photo

Pros

  • Unique 360-degree images
  • Easy to use
  • Smartphone & social connectivity
  • Compact and elegant
  • Captures videos
  • $100 cheaper than predecessor
  • Built-in memory

Cons

  • Videos cannot be viewed on a smartphone
  • Video mode tedious to access
  • Limited resolution
  • Protruding lenses susceptible to damage
  • Strap lug not included (available separately)
  • Shutter sound cannot be disabled

Key Uses

  • Artistic 360-degree panoramas
  • Selfies
  • Family photos
  • Real-estate photos

Rating

The Ricoh Theta is the most exciting camera that we've reviewed in the past year, short of the Pentax 645Z.  A numerical rating does not do justice to the innovation that it delivers, but we would give it four out of five stars if we had to.

Build Quality 
 9
Handling 
 8
Features 
 7
Image Quality 
 6
Value 
 10
Overall 
 8.0 (Very Good)

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