Ricoh Theta Z1 51GB Review: The Low-Light King of 360 Stills

I remember standing in the middle of a stunningly renovated Victorian home, tasked with capturing its essence for a real estate portfolio. I had my trusty DSLR, my wide-angle lens, and I spent hours meticulously taking photos. Yet, when I reviewed the shots later, something was missing. I had captured beautiful vignettes—a sunlit bay window here, an ornate fireplace there—but I had failed to capture the *feeling* of the space. The way the rooms flowed into one another, the sense of scale, the complete, immersive experience of being there was lost. This is the fundamental challenge for architects, real estate agents, virtual tour creators, and even avid travellers: how do you bottle the atmosphere of a place? A standard camera captures a frame; a 360-degree camera captures a world. The search for a device that could do this without compromising on image quality led us directly to the doorstep of a legendary name in the industry and its flagship model: the Ricoh Theta Z1 51GB.

What to Consider Before Buying a 360-Degree Action Camera

A 360-degree camera is more than just a novelty gadget; it’s a key solution for creating immersive content that teleports the viewer directly into the scene. From creating virtual tours of properties and businesses to capturing breathtaking landscapes in their full panoramic glory, these devices solve the problem of limited perspective. They offer unparalleled context and a sense of presence that traditional photo and video formats simply cannot replicate. The main benefits lie in their ability to document an entire environment simultaneously, providing a comprehensive record that can be explored interactively later.

The ideal customer for a high-end 360 camera like the Ricoh Theta Z1 51GB is a professional or a serious enthusiast who prioritizes still image quality above all else. This includes real estate photographers, virtual tour creators, architects, and fine art photographers who need the dynamic range and editing flexibility that large sensors and RAW file support provide. Conversely, this camera might not be suitable for those who primarily need a rugged, waterproof device for extreme sports. If your main goal is capturing ski runs or scuba diving trips, a more traditional, robust action camera would be a better fit, as the Z1’s exposed lenses and lack of water resistance make it a delicate instrument.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Portability & Form Factor: A 360 camera needs to be easy to position, often on a monopod or tripod, to get the best shot. The slim, candy-bar design of the Ricoh Theta Z1 51GB is excellent for minimising its own appearance in the final stitched image. Consider the device’s weight, dimensions, and how easily it can be mounted and concealed.
• Image Quality & Sensor Size: This is the most critical factor. The size of the image sensor directly impacts low-light performance, dynamic range, and overall detail. The Z1’s dual 1.0-inch sensors are its standout feature, putting it in a class of its own for still photography compared to competitors with smaller sensors. Always check the megapixel count for photos and the maximum resolution and frame rate for video.
• Build Quality & Durability: The materials used in construction affect both the feel and the longevity of the camera. The Ricoh Theta Z1 51GB features a premium magnesium alloy body that feels solid and helps with heat dissipation. However, as noted, it is not water-resistant, and the protruding fisheye lenses require careful handling and protection when not in use.
• Ease of Use & Workflow: How you get images from the camera to your final product is a huge part of the experience. Evaluate the companion mobile and desktop apps. The ability to shoot in RAW (DNG) format, like the Z1 offers, is essential for professional post-production, but it requires a more involved workflow using software like Adobe Lightroom. Also, consider battery life and storage capacity, as these will dictate how long you can shoot in the field.

Understanding these factors will ensure you choose a camera that not only meets your technical requirements but also fits seamlessly into your creative process.

While the Ricoh Theta Z1 51GB is an excellent choice for a specific user, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, especially those built for adventure, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: A Professional Tool with a Singular Focus

Unboxing the Ricoh Theta Z1 51GB immediately conveys a sense of premium quality. There’s no flurry of plastic mounts or waterproof housings here. Instead, you get the camera itself, a soft neoprene pouch, and a USB-C cable. The device has a satisfying heft, its magnesium alloy body feeling cool and solid in the hand. It feels less like a throw-in-your-bag action camera and more like a precision photographic instrument. The two large fisheye lenses dominate the top, instantly signaling its purpose.

Powering it on reveals a small but crisp 0.93-inch OLED display on the body. This is a significant upgrade from previous models, allowing you to check settings, battery life, and shooting mode without constantly referring to your phone. It’s an intuitive addition that streamlines the shooting process. Compared to market leaders in the action camera space like Insta360, the Z1 feels more traditional and photo-centric. It forgoes large touchscreens and aggressive, rugged styling for a more understated and professional aesthetic. It’s clear from the first five minutes that this camera was designed with one primary goal in mind: to capture the highest quality 360-degree still images possible in a compact form factor. The expanded 51GB of internal storage is a welcome, practical improvement over its predecessor, providing ample space for those large RAW files that are its main draw. You can explore its full specifications and design online.

Deep Dive: Performance Analysis of the Ricoh Theta Z1 51GB

After spending considerable time with the Ricoh Theta Z1 51GB in various challenging environments, it’s clear that this is a camera of incredible strengths and equally significant weaknesses. It is not an all-rounder. Instead, it is a specialist tool that excels so profoundly in its niche that for the right user, its flaws become manageable trade-offs. We broke down our testing into the core aspects that define this unique camera.

The 1-Inch Sensor Advantage: Unmatched Still Image Quality

Let’s be unequivocal: the still image quality from the Ricoh Theta Z1 51GB is the reason to buy this camera. It is, without a doubt, the best we’ve seen from a compact, all-in-one 360 camera. The magic lies in its dual 1.0-inch back-illuminated CMOS sensors, which are vastly larger than the sensors found in nearly all of its competitors. This size advantage translates directly into superior light-gathering ability, resulting in images with astonishing dynamic range, low noise, and excellent detail.

Our tests in high-contrast situations, such as shooting building interiors with bright windows, were particularly revealing. Where other 360 cameras would either blow out the highlights in the windows or crush the shadows in the room into a muddy black, the Z1 held onto an incredible amount of information at both ends of the spectrum. This is amplified tenfold when shooting in RAW (DNG) format. As one user aptly noted, “The ability to recover detail in the shadows and highlights is incredibly important. This can only be done because of the raw files.” We can confirm this wholeheartedly. We were able to pull usable, detailed images from files that looked catastrophically underexposed on the back of the camera. The flexibility in post-production is simply on another level. This capability makes the Z1 an indispensable tool for professional real estate photographers who need to deliver clean, balanced virtual tours. The 23MP final stitched resolution provides plenty of detail for immersive viewing and cropping. The low-light performance, praised by another user as creating “miracles… with a minimum of light,” is genuinely class-leading and a feature that truly sets it apart.

Video Performance: Capable, But Not its Forte

While the Z1 is a stills champion, its video capabilities are more functional than groundbreaking. It captures 4K (3840×1920) 360-degree video at 30 frames per second, which was a respectable specification when the original Z1 was released. Today, however, it lags behind competitors that offer 5.7K resolution, higher frame rates, and more advanced video-centric features like Active HDR.

That said, the video it does produce is clean and detailed, benefiting from the large sensors. The colours are accurate, and the in-camera stitching is generally very good. The 3-axis rotational stabilization does a competent job of smoothing out gentle movements, making it suitable for static shots or slow, deliberate pans. However, it’s not designed for the rigours of action sports. We found that walking produced noticeable bobbing, and it simply can’t compete with the “FlowState” or “HyperSmooth” stabilization found in dedicated action cameras. For creating video walkthroughs of spaces or capturing ambient scenes, the Z1’s video is perfectly adequate. But if your primary use case is dynamic, action-packed video, you will be better served by other options on the market. It’s a capable B-camera for video but a world-class A-camera for stills.

The Achilles’ Heel: Battery Life and Design Quirks

We cannot talk about the Ricoh Theta Z1 51GB without addressing its most significant and widely criticised flaw: the battery. The internal, non-removable battery life is, to be blunt, abysmal. In our continuous shooting tests, especially when connected via Wi-Fi to the mobile app, we struggled to get much more than an hour of use. One user reported their battery dropping below 25% after scanning a three-floor property, a scenario we found entirely plausible. This makes it a high-anxiety device for professionals on a job. As another user stated after just two days, “the battery life makes this unusable for me.”

The solution for any serious user is to carry a portable power bank. However, this introduces another design frustration. The USB-C charging port is located on the bottom of the camera, right next to the 1/4-inch tripod mount. This means you cannot charge the camera while it’s mounted on most standard tripods or monopods without an extender or a special cage. This is a baffling design choice that complicates the most obvious workaround to the battery problem. While experienced users have found solutions and adapted their workflow—one user noted that with experience, they could now shoot two properties before needing a charge—it’s a steep and unnecessary learning curve. This is a critical flaw that potential buyers must be prepared to manage from day one, even if the image quality makes it a worthwhile trade-off for many.

What Other Users Are Saying

Our findings are strongly echoed in the broader user community. There is a clear consensus that the Ricoh Theta Z1 51GB is a camera of two extremes. The praise for its photographic output is almost universal. One user who was initially unimpressed updated their review after two weeks, stating they were “more impressed” after testing it in challenging situations, specifically praising the RAW files’ ability to recover detail. Another, writing in French, calls the camera “exceptional” in low light, saying it “excels” and performs “miracles” at night, rivaling even modern 2024 models.

However, the criticism is just as consistent. The primary complaint, mentioned in nearly every negative or mixed review, is the battery. Users describe it as “poor,” “ridiculous,” and a “deal-breaker.” The non-removable nature of the battery is a particular point of contention, with one Italian reviewer noting the camera would have been “perfect” if the battery were removable. Beyond the battery, some users have reported hardware issues, such as charging problems after just a month of use, and feel the technology is dated for its premium price point. This feedback paints a clear picture: you are buying this camera for its sensor and its sensor alone, and you must be willing to tolerate significant practical limitations to access its world-class image quality.

How Does the Ricoh Theta Z1 51GB Compare to the Alternatives?

The Ricoh Theta Z1 51GB exists in a unique position. It’s priced like a modern, high-end action camera but specializes in a way that most don’t. To understand its value, it’s crucial to compare it against its main competitors and other options in the broader action camera category.

1. Insta360 X3 360 Action Camera

The Insta360 X3 is arguably the Z1’s most direct and popular competitor in the 360 space. However, the two cameras serve very different masters. The X3 is a video-first, action-oriented powerhouse. It boasts 5.7K 360 video, a large touchscreen for easy on-device control, incredible “FlowState” stabilization, and a rugged, waterproof design. Its software ecosystem and AI-powered editing features are industry-leading and incredibly user-friendly. If your primary goal is capturing dynamic 360 video for social media or vlogging, the X3 is the superior choice in almost every way. Where it falls short against the Z1 is in pure still image quality. Its smaller 1/2-inch sensors simply cannot compete with the Z1’s 1-inch sensors in terms of dynamic range and low-light performance. Choose the Insta360 X3 for action and video; choose the Ricoh Theta Z1 51GB for professional-grade still photography.

2. Apexcam 4K 60FPS Action Camera with 64GB Card

The Apexcam represents the budget-friendly, traditional action camera market. It is not a 360-degree camera. This is a critical distinction. For a fraction of the Z1’s price, you get a camera that shoots standard 4K video (with a narrow, wide-angle field of view), is waterproof down to 40 meters, and comes with a plethora of accessories, including a remote and two batteries. This is an excellent choice for someone who wants to capture first-person action shots—biking, swimming, or snorkeling—without a significant financial investment. It is not a tool for creating immersive virtual tours or capturing entire scenes. The Apexcam is the right choice for budget-conscious adventurers who don’t need or want 360-degree capabilities.

3. COOAU 4K Action Camera 64MP EIS Waterproof

Similar to the Apexcam, the COOAU action camera is another strong contender in the traditional, non-360 action camera space. It offers compelling features for its price point, including 4K video, Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS), waterproofing, and the inclusion of an external microphone for better audio capture—a feature the Z1 lacks. This makes it a very practical choice for vloggers or anyone who wants better audio quality straight out of the camera. Again, the trade-off is the loss of the 360-degree perspective. If your projects require capturing everything around you in a single shot for interactive playback, the COOAU is not the right tool. If you need a durable, affordable, and versatile traditional action camera with good audio options, it’s a fantastic alternative.

The Final Verdict: Is the Ricoh Theta Z1 51GB Still Worth It?

After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the Ricoh Theta Z1 51GB is clear: it is a magnificent, yet deeply flawed, specialist tool. It is not an action camera, nor is it a great all-round video device. Its technology is aging, and its battery life is a significant handicap that requires deliberate workarounds. For the vast majority of casual users, there are more practical, versatile, and affordable options available today.

However, for a specific niche of professionals and dedicated enthusiasts, the Z1 remains the undisputed king. If your work depends on capturing the absolute highest quality 360-degree still photographs in a portable package—especially in challenging, low-light, or high-contrast environments—then there is still nothing on the market that can touch it. The detail, dynamic range, and editing latitude afforded by its 1-inch sensors and RAW file support are simply in a different league. It is a camera you buy with full knowledge of its limitations because its primary strength is so profound that it makes enduring those limitations worthwhile.

If you are a real estate photographer, a virtual tour creator, or an artist who needs the best 360 stills possible, the Ricoh Theta Z1 51GB is not just a good choice; it’s still the benchmark. We recommend it, but only to those who understand its purpose and are prepared to manage its flaws. If that sounds like you, you can check the latest price and secure one for your kit today.