Ricoh Theta Z1 specifications, features, analysis, comparison vs Theta V, price and availability

L’articolo è riportato dal sito collegato al link che state leggendo. Clic per collegarsi al sito originale.

Clic to view the source link

Ricoh has announced a new flagship 360 camera called the Ricoh Theta Z1, which will feature the first 1-inch sensors for consumer 360 cameras, along with other groundbreaking features.  In this post, I discuss its specifications, features, image quality compared to other 360 cameras, as well as price and availability.

Executive Summary

Ricoh Theta Z1 Specifications and Comparison with Ricoh Theta V

Here are the specifications of the Z1, in comparison to the Theta V.  I highlighted improvements in the Z1.

Features

1. 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor (New! First among consumer 360 cameras)

The Theta Z1’s key feature is its large 1-inch sensors, which are around 4.3x larger than the 1/2.3 inch sensors typically used in consumer 360 cameras.  The Z1’s sensor is actually more than half the size of a Micro Four Thirds sensor, and as much as 1/3 the size of an APS-C size sensor.

2. Variable aperture (New! First among consumer 360 cameras)

The Z1 has a variable aperture, the first consumer 360 camera to have such a feature.  It appears to be a true physically variable aperture, not just a digital ND filter because Ricoh states that the image will be sharper with the smaller apertures.   The smaller apertures should also enable longer exposures, up to 3 stops longer than the Theta V.

3. Raw DNG mode with Adobe Lightroom stitching (New! First consumer 360 camera with Lightroom stitching)

The Theta Z1 can not only shoot in DNG Raw mode but Ricoh has created a special plug-in for Adobe Lightroom Classic called Ricoh Theta Stitcher, which for the first time will enable users to edit photos in Lightroom and then stitch them on export, with adjustments for zenith, horizon, and stitching distance.

4. Improved lens design (New!)

Ricoh stated that the Theta Z1 has a new lens design to reduce ghosts, flares, and purple fringing.

5. OLED display and Fn button (New!)

The Theta Z1 has an OLED display and a new Fn button, which enables the user to switch between normal shooting and self-timer shooting without the phone.  You’ll also be able to switch between three plug-ins, or turn off the OLED display or mute the Z1.  You can also access custom settings (one for still images and one for videos).

6. Android plugins

Like the Theta V, the Theta Z1 can use Android plugins.  It includes the remote playback plug-in to enable photos and videos to be played wirelessly on compatible devices

7. More durable (New!)

The Theta Z1 has a tougher build quality with a magnesium body and a metal tripod hole.

8. Exposure modes

The Theta Z1 features a new aperture priority mode, and has a multi-bracket shooting with up to 19 photos.  The Z1 also has the same exposure features as the Theta V, including DR compensation, HDR rendering, Interval composite for star trails.

9.  4-channel Spatial audio

The Theta Z1 has 4-channel spatial audio.  However, unlike the Theta V, it does not have a microphone input and cannot use the TA-1 microphone of the Theta V.

Image quality; why is sensor size important?

All other factors being equal, a camera with a larger sensor will have better image quality.  Indeed, sensor size is one of the most important factors for imaqe quality.  Sensor size will affect bit depth, dynamic range, signal to noise ratio (low light performance), and other factors.

It is true that the Theta Z1’s resolution is modest at around 23mp.  However, a 23mp photo from a large-sensor camera will look much better than a 23mp photo from a small-sensor camera.  In fact, a 23mp photo from the Theta Z1 may have higher image quality than a higher resolution photo from a camera with a smaller sensor.

What kind of image quality can we expect from the Theta Z1?   First, let’s look at the origin of the sensor.  Ricoh Pentax has used Sony sensors on many of its DSLRs, and Sony is one of the few companies that produces a 1-inch 20mp BSI-CMOS sensor, therefore I think it is very likely that Ricoh is using a Sony sensor.  I then looked at DXOMark’s ratings for Sony sensors (including Sony sensors in non-Sony cameras) and compared them against leading 1/2.3-inch sensors.  It appears that a 1-inch sensor could have as much as a 2-stop advantage for low light, and a little more than 1-stop advantage for dynamic range.

One issue with a larger sensor for virtual tours is ensuring an adequate depth of field.  In that regard, the Theta Z1 is able to keep in focus everything from 40cm to infinity (by comparison the Theta V is able to capture everything from 10cm to infinity).  I am not certain if the 40cm is based on a wide open aperture, and if so, I am assuming that using a smaller aperture can decrease the minimum focal distance.

Price and availability

The Theta Z1 is listed on Ricoh’s website for $999.95.  It will be available late March 2019.    I believe the Theta Z1 is a very good value at that price, assuming the photos are as good as the specs suggest.  It appears ideal for virtual tour photographers.  However, the price probably puts it out of reach for many consumers, which is why I don’t think this is a replacement for the Ricoh Theta V.  I am expecting that there will be a Theta V2 in the future with 5.6K video.

The post Ricoh Theta Z1 specifications, features, analysis, comparison vs Theta V, price and availability appeared first on 360 Rumors.