Ricoh THETA SC2 BEIGE Ricoh - Review 🏆

The Ricoh THETA SC2 is a compact 360-degree camera that allows you to capture fully immersive photos and videos. This innovative camera has two fisheye lenses that simultaneously capture everything around you, recording scenes in stunning 4K resolution. With its portable, lightweight body, the THETA SC2 delivers high quality 360 content easily and intuitively.

The SC2 builds on previous THETA models with upgraded features for better image quality, enhanced stabilization, and faster transfer speeds. Key improvements include higher resolution sensors, better low light performance, and faster Wi-Fi for seamless sharing straight from the camera. The camera is designed to work seamlessly with smartphones, with dedicated apps for remote control and live streaming. Overall, the Ricoh THETA SC2 represents an easy way to start creating immersive 360 content.

Design

The Ricoh THETA SC2 has a stylish and compact design that makes it easy to take with you anywhere. It measures 45.2mm x 130.2mm x 22.9mm and weighs just 121g, making it small enough to slip into your pocket. The outer shell is made of a durable polycarbonate plastic in a matte black or beige finish. Despite its lightweight build, it feels sturdy and well-constructed in the hand.

The simple design features just two buttons, one for power/shutter release and one for mode switching. There are also status lights that indicate when the camera is on, recording, etc. Overall, the minimalist aesthetic helps keep the device small while still feeling solid. Portability and subtlety are clearly priorities in the THETA SC2's pared down design.

The Ricoh THETA SC2 BLUE variant brings a vibrant and modern touch to the already stylish line-up. Along with its appealing aesthetic, the THETA SC2 BLUE offers the same compact dimensions and build quality. This model is perfect for those who want to add a splash of color to their tech gadgets without sacrificing functionality. For more details, you can visit the product page for the Ricoh THETA SC2 BLUE.

Image Quality

The Ricoh THETA SC2 captures photos at an impressive resolution of 14 megapixels per lens, resulting in high-definition 360° images. It features dual 1/2.3" CMOS image sensors and fixed focus lenses with F2.0 apertures. This allows the camera to capture sharp, vivid images with fine details and accurate colors.

One of the highlights of the SC2 is its built-in optical image stabilization. This helps minimize blur caused by camera shake when shooting handheld. The stabilization allows you to capture sharp 360° photos and videos even when moving around. It's especially useful for reducing motion blur when panning the camera or during action shots.

Low light performance is also quite good thanks to the fast F2.0 aperture lenses. The SC2 can shoot at ISO 3200 with acceptable levels of noise. This gives you the flexibility to shoot indoors or at night. The camera is able to capture properly exposed night scenes with good detail while keeping noise to a minimum. Overall, the image quality of the Ricoh THETA SC2 is highly impressive for a compact 360° camera.

In addition to the THETA SC2, consider the Ricoh GR IIIx Urban Edition. This camera is designed specifically for street photography, featuring a 24.2 MP APS-C sensor and a 26.1mm F2.8 lens. Its compact design and advanced autofocus capabilities make it an ideal choice for capturing spontaneous moments in urban settings. For more information, visit the Ricoh GR IIIx Urban Edition page.

Video Recording

The Ricoh THETA SC2 has excellent video capabilities for a 360 camera. It can record 360 video at up to 4K resolution at 30 fps. The maximum resolution is 3840 x 1920 which produces sharp, detailed video.

For more flexibility, the SC2 can also record 4K at 24 fps or 25 fps. At the lower resolution of 2K, you can choose frame rates up to 60 fps for smooth slow motion effects. The camera records video in the MP4 format which is compatible with most devices and editing software.

Slow motion modes are available at lower resolutions like 1080p and 720p. So whether you need high resolution 4K video or smooth slow motion effects, the Ricoh THETA SC2 provides a range of frame rates and resolutions to choose from.

Connectivity

The Ricoh THETA SC2 has excellent wireless connectivity options. It has dual-band Wi-Fi that operates on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks. This allows for fast and stable connections when transferring images and videos from the camera to your smartphone or tablet.

Bluetooth 4.2 is also built-in, providing a convenient way to connect and control the camera from your mobile device. Remote shooting is possible by using the dedicated app.

For mobile device compatibility, the THETA SC2 works with both iOS and Android operating systems. The apps allow you to wirelessly connect, view live previews, adjust settings, and download content from the camera. This makes it easy to capture, edit and share 360 imagery right from your smartphone.

Overall, the wireless capabilities of the THETA SC2 allow for flexible and seamless connections so you can quickly access, manage, and share your content. The dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth support, and broad mobile OS compatibility provide excellent connectivity options.

Features

The Ricoh THETA SC2 has a range of useful features for capturing high quality 360 degree photos and videos.

The camera includes an auto mode that automatically adjusts settings to optimize image quality in different environments. This makes it easy to get great shots without having to manually adjust ISO, shutter speed, and aperture.

There are also different scene modes that are tailored for shooting specific subjects like portraits, low light, and landscapes. The portrait mode smooths skin tones while the low light mode reduces noise in dim environments. The landscape mode provides vivid colors and sharp details across the entire 360 degree field of view.

For creative effects, the timelapse mode can be used to capture seamless timelapse videos. This allows compressing longer events like sunsets or crowds moving through a space into a short video. The camera takes care of capturing and stitching together the individual frames.

Overall, the array of modes provides flexibility for capturing high quality 360 content in different situations without having to manually adjust complex camera settings. Even beginners can get pro-level results using the intelligent auto and scene modes.

Battery

The Ricoh THETA SC2 has a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery that provides enough power for approximately 160 images per charge based on CIPA standards. This is decent battery life, though not as long as some other 360 cameras.

The battery charges via the USB port, so you can use a power bank or AC adapter to charge if needed. Charging takes around 2 hours to fully recharge from empty.

One downside is that the battery is built-in and not removable. This means you cannot swap in spare batteries on the go if the battery runs out. You'd need to find a way to recharge the camera instead.

Overall, the battery life is fairly average. It should get you through a day of moderate shooting, but you may need to recharge more frequently if capturing a lot of video. Having the option to recharge via USB is convenient. Just be aware that you cannot swap batteries if caught without a charging option.

Accessories

The Ricoh THETA SC2 comes with a few handy accessories to help you get started.

Included Accessories

In the box, you'll find:

• USB Type-C cable - For charging and transferring data
• Soft case - Protects the camera when not in use
• Lens cap - Keeps the lens clean when stored
• Quick start guide - Basic setup instructions

Optional Accessories

There are also some optional accessories you can purchase separately:

• Selfie stick - Allows you to hold the camera further away for self portraits
• Underwater housing case - For using the camera underwater up to 30m depth
• External flash - For improving flash photography
• Remote shutter release - Wired or wireless remotes for convenient hands-free shooting
• Extra batteries - In case you need longer shooting times between charges

The THETA SC2 has a standard tripod mount so most tripods and grips will be compatible. Overall, Ricoh offers a decent selection of accessories to enhance your 360 photography.

Pros

The Ricoh THETA SC2 has a lot of great features that make it an excellent 360 camera choice. Here are some of the key pros:

• Excellent image quality - The SC2 captures 14MP photos and 4K video, resulting in crisp, detailed 360 imagery. The images have low noise, even in low light conditions.

• Image stabilization - Built-in stabilization helps reduce shakiness and blur in photos and videos. This allows you to capture smooth, high-quality 360 content while holding the camera by hand.

• Intuitive operation - The camera is designed to be very user-friendly. It's easy to switch between photo, video, and live streaming modes. Key settings can be changed quickly as well.

• Lightweight, portable design - Weighing just 121g, the THETA SC2 has a thin, compact body that makes it highly portable. You can easily slip it into a pocket or bag.

• Useful features and modes - The camera includes a range of modes and features that enhance its versatility, including interval shooting, auto exposure bracketing, and direct to cloud uploading.

• Compatible apps - Ricoh offers mobile apps for iOS and Android that allow full remote control over the camera. You can monitor shots, adjust settings, trigger the shutter, and more.

• Fast data transfer - A 5GHz Wi-Fi band allows for quick transfer of photos and videos from the camera to your mobile device or computer.

Cons

The Ricoh THETA SC2 has some downsides to consider. The camera has a fixed aperture, so you don't have control over depth of field or exposure. It can only shoot JPG images, with no option for RAW capture. This limits editing potential.

While image quality is decent, it doesn't match higher-end 360 cameras. In low light, noise can be apparent and detail suffers. The dewarping process also leads to a loss of resolution compared to viewing spherical images.

For video, the 4K resolution is lower than some competitors which offer 5.7K or 6K. The frame rate maxes out at 30fps. So you don't have the high frame rate options for smooth slow motion capture.

Finally, the camera relies on your phone for sharing and editing content. The companion app feels a bit limited compared to desktop editing software. Processing times can be slow when stitching content together on a mobile device.