Clash of the Ultracompacts: Kodak Mini vs. Samsung ST700 – A Deep Dive into 2011’s Pocket Cameras

When evaluating ultracompact cameras in the early 2010s, two standout models that frequently drew attention were the Kodak EasyShare Mini ("Kodak Mini") and the Samsung ST700. Both aimed to deliver decent image quality and ease of use in slim, pocket-friendly packages, yet they diverged significantly in features and target audience despite their similar release timeframe. I’ve spent a fair share of time behind the viewfinder - or rather, behind the LCD - of both these pocket shooters, putting their specs and real-world performance through the wringer. So let’s peel back the layers and see how these two stack up for users from casual snappers to curious enthusiasts.

Size, Ergonomics and Build: Pocketability Under the Microscope

In ultracompacts, size and handling are paramount. You want a camera that feels good to hold without weighing you down, yet intuitive to use when pressing the shutter.

At first glance, the Kodak Mini impresses with its minuscule footprint and feather-light weight:

Measuring just 86 x 53 x 18 mm and tipping the scales at a mere 99 grams, it’s a true pocket rocket. Handling-wise, the Mini gives you very basic tactile feedback - minimal buttons, no external dials, and a front-heavy feel that requires a gentle grip to avoid slips. Its plastic build doesn’t scream durability but fits this entry-level, casual shooter vibe perfectly.

The Samsung ST700, meanwhile, is chunkier at 99 x 55 x 20 mm - still compact, but noticeably thicker and heavier (weight not officially listed but estimates place it around 120 grams). It offers a slightly beefier grip area which lends it better stability in hand, and the use of a touchscreen LCD (more on that later) makes for a modern interaction style uncommon for this class at the time. The body is sturdier, with a more polished feel, but it sacrifices some stealth for comfort.

This physical comparison quickly tells the tale: Kodak Mini is your go-to for bare-minimum pocketability, while the Samsung ST700 leans into ergonomics without tipping the scales too far.

Control Layout and Interface: Buttons vs. Touchscreen Experience

Modern usability boils down to how effortlessly you can compose and configure shots. To that end, the control layout and interface experience matter deeply.

Kodak’s approach is straightforward but bare-bones. The Mini offers no touchscreen, limited physical buttons, and a small 2.5-inch fixed TFT LCD with a resolution of 230k dots. No electronic viewfinder (EVF), no manual exposure modes, or advanced autofocus. Focus modes boil down to a basic center AF point with rudimentary face detection. For exposure control, you’re entirely reliant on automated processing; no priority or manual modes in sight. The flash sports multiple modes but external flashes are unsupported.

Samsung flips the script with a 3-inch touchscreen LCD, also 230k dots but larger and offering more interactive potential. The touchscreen allows quicker navigation of menus and settings without fiddling through buttons - a definite advantage if you’re used to smartphone style interfaces. Like Kodak, it shuns manual exposure and AF modes but leans on brighter displays and an improved rear interface.

From an interface standpoint, Samsung ST700’s touchscreen is a game-changer for usability in ultracompacts, offering fluid menu access ideal for on-the-go shooting. Kodak’s physical button approach is better suited for those preferring tactile simplicity but feels limiting in comparison.

Sensor and Image Quality: Power Behind the Pixels

Image quality is dictated primarily by sensor size, technology, and processing - areas where compact cameras often face hard trade-offs.

Kodak’s Mini employs a 1/3" CCD sensor, a format measuring just 4.8 x 3.6 mm (17.3 mm² sensor area). It records 10 megapixels at a max resolution of 3640x2736 pixels. Sensor size here is decidedly small, limiting the amount of light captured and impacting dynamic range and noise control, particularly under dim conditions. Its maximum ISO caps at 1000 native, which is barely enough for low light.

Samsung’s ST700, however, steps up with a larger 1/2.3" CCD sensor measuring 6.16 x 4.62 mm (28.46 mm²). Sporting 16 megapixels at a max resolution of 4608x3456 pixels, it captures finer detail and gains some low-light handling headroom. No ISO information is officially provided, but its sensor size advantage generally translates to better image fidelity.

Though neither camera supports RAW output, which limits post-processing flexibility, Samsung offers appreciably richer details and reduced noise in daylight and moderate indoor lighting, a win acknowledged when viewing test prints and digital files side by side. Kodak’s images tend to show stronger compression artifacts and noise starting from ISO 400.

Display and Viewfinding: Composing Your Shot in the Field

Given the absence of electronic viewfinders, both cameras rely heavily on their rear LCDs for framing and live preview.

Kodak Mini’s 2.5-inch fixed TFT LCD delivers a modest viewing experience. It suffices for casual snapshot framing but lacks touch sensitivity or articulation. Screen brightness and contrast can be disappointing under direct sunlight, making outdoor usage somewhat frustrating.

Samsung’s 3-inch touchscreen shines brighter with better viewing angles and the advantage of touch focus and shutter release. This creates a more seamless connection between user and camera, especially in dynamic environments like street scenes or quick candid moments.

Both are susceptible to glare outdoors but Samsung’s larger, more responsive display unquestionably boosts user confidence in composition.

Real-World Photography Performance: Subject Discipline Insights

Let’s unpack how these cameras fare in key photography segments, from portraits to nightscapes, focusing on practical strengths and compromises.

Portraiture – Rendering Skin Tones and Bokeh

Portraits demand skin tone accuracy, eye detection precision, and pleasing separation from backgrounds.

• Kodak Mini: Its limited face detection helps avoid blatant focus misses, but the small sensor coupled with a moderate aperture range (F3.0-4.8) delivers limited background blur. The lack of manual controls hampers creative depth of field play. Skin tones tend to be a little flat, influenced by basic auto white balance and JPEG compression.

• Samsung ST700: Enters with a slight advantage, thanks to higher megapixels and a marginally larger sensor providing sharper, cleaner images. Despite no face detection, autofocus is more consistent. Background blur remains shallow - typical for ultracompacts - but overall tone rendition is more natural.

Landscape Photography – Dynamic Range and Resolution

Landscapes stress sensor dynamic range and pixel-level resolution for fine detail capture.

• Kodak’s 1/3" sensor struggles here. Highlights clip quickly and shadow detail collapses in high-contrast scenes. The 10MP output suffices for standard prints but lacks room for cropping or large enlargements.

• Samsung ST700’s 16MP sensor preserves more highlight and shadow data, making a noticeable difference in golden hour shots or backlit vistas. The higher pixel count also means more cropping flexibility in post. Weather sealing is absent in both cameras, limiting rugged outdoor use.

Wildlife and Sports – Autofocus Precision and Burst Speed

Capturing fast action requires enthusiastic autofocus and speedy continuous shooting.

Sadly, both cameras falter here. Their contrast-detection AF systems are rudimentary at best:

• Kodak Mini’s face detection doesn’t extend to animals or advanced tracking, continuous shooting is absent, and shutter speeds max out at 1/1400s - not ideal for freezing quick motion.

• Samsung offers a slightly extended max shutter speed of 1/2000s, but with no AF tracking or burst mode, it struggles to keep pace with wildlife or sports subjects. No dedicated animal detection further limits its utility.

Street and Travel Photography – Discretion and Versatility

For street shooters and travelers, pocketability, responsiveness, and stealth matter.

Here, Kodak’s minimalist size (86 x 53 x 18 mm) and nearly silent shuttter shine. The camera easily slides into coat pockets and attracts little attention - a classic street photography asset. Its straightforward operation resists distraction.

Samsung’s added bulk and somewhat slower interface reduce spontaneity but improve handling during longer sessions. The touchscreen aids quick setting changes on the fly, a notable benefit in travel contexts.

Battery life information is scarce, but given the age and segment, expect roughly 150-200 shots per charge on both.

Macro Photography – Close Focus and Sharpness

Kodak’s Mini claims a macro focus distance of just 5 cm, which is impressive for the class and allows surprisingly intimate detail shots. The lens’s F3.0 aperture does a decent job of isolating subjects like flowers or textures in decent light.

Samsung ST700 lacks official macro specs, though with a 5.8x zoom and no dedicated macro mode, close-up shots require more daylight and patience to avoid blur.

Night and Astrophotography – High ISO and Exposure Control

With small sensors and no manual exposure modes, both cameras are challenged in low-light conditions.

• Kodak Mini caps ISO at 1000 but noise is prominent from 400 upwards. Exposure flexibility is zero, so long exposures for night skies are inaccessible.

• Samsung’s larger sensor helps capture cleaner low-light images at base ISO but lacks manual controls to attempt star trails or other astrophotography techniques.

Neither camera supports long exposure or bulb mode, limiting nighttime creativity.

Video Capabilities: Moving Pictures from Mini and ST700

Video specs reveal a telltale gap:

• Kodak Mini records only at 640 x 480 (VGA) at 30 fps, encoded as Motion JPEG. This lower resolution and dated codec yield blocky, noisy results unfit for serious video.

• Samsung ST700 steps up to 1280 x 720 HD at 30 fps, delivering significantly sharper and smoother footage with modern appeal. No external microphone input or advanced stabilization limits, but this level is notable for ultracompacts in 2011.

Video enthusiasts seeking anything beyond casual snapshots should favor Samsung’s capabilities.

Processing, Storage, and Connectivity

Neither camera supports RAW shooting, limiting post-processing latitude. Both shoot JPEGs with in-camera compression tuned for casual use.

• Kodak Mini uses standard SD/SDHC cards along with minimal internal memory. USB 2.0 is present for file transfer.

• Samsung ST700 similarly uses SD/SDHC, but annoyingly lacks USB connectivity, making card readers essential. Wireless features such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi are absent on both, reflecting pre-smartphone-era simplicity.

Neither offers GPS tagging, limiting organizational features for travelers.

Reliability, Ergonomics, and Build Quality Recap

Both cameras omit environmental seals - no waterproof, dustproof, or shock resistance certifications. The Kodak Mini’s lightweight plastic shell naturally feels more fragile, while Samsung’s slightly heavier body wins points for durability leaned towards casual to moderate daily use.

Ergonomically, Samsung edges ahead with touchscreen and better grip, but Kodak wins prizes for true pocketability.

Pricetag vs. Performance: Who Offers the Better Bang?

At launch, the Kodak Mini's sub-$100 price aimed at entry-level buyers. It delivers great portability and simplicity but at the cost of image quality and functionality.

Samsung ST700 cost closer to $280, reflecting its higher-resolution sensor, larger display, and HD video. This price jump buys tangible improvements but still limits advanced control.

If budget is tight and ultra-portability paramount, Kodak serves purpose-built needs. If image quality, user interface, and video are priorities - Samsung presents a more versatile compact choice.

Summing It Up: Which Ultracompact Fits Your Frame?

Kodak Mini front Kodak Mini screen back Samsung ST700 front Samsung ST700 screen back

Our hands-on testing, side-by-side image reviews, and feature deep dive point to some crystal-clear conclusions:

• If you want minimal fuss, tiny size, and casual snapshooting speed with decent daylight images, Kodak Mini is a lightweight companion that won’t bust your wallet. Perfect for casual family photos, street candid shots, and macro flower close-ups where the simple controls don’t frustrate.

• If you demand higher megapixels, a larger sensor for cleaner results, a touchscreen interface, and HD video recording - Samsung ST700 is the smarter buy. It suits travelers, casual enthusiasts exploring more varied subjects, and video hobbyists willing to sacrifice ultimate pocketability.

Genre-Specific Scores and Industry-Standard Ratings

For a final layered lens, see the summary of camera performance scores:

And a breakdown targeted at primary photography types:

These confirm Samsung’s lead in resolution, video, and usability, with Kodak holding its own solely in portability and simplicity.

Final Thoughts: The 2011 Ultracompact Camera Landscape

Reflecting on the Kodak Mini and Samsung ST700 today, they perfectly encapsulate two divergent ultracompact archetypes of their era:

• The Kodak Mini is the quintessential "grab-and-go" snapshot camera, designed for a generation just discovering digital photography but not yet embracing smartphones as photo tools. Its tiny size and easy button controls make it a nostalgic, if limited, option.

• The Samsung ST700 anticipated the touchscreen, higher resolution trends - sacrifices modest pocketability to offer users more control, better image outcomes, and meaningful video. It hints at the hybridization of cameras and smart devices that would dominate later in the decade.

Choosing between them depends on your priorities: ultimate portability and simplicity versus image quality, interface sophistication, and video capability. Neither is a professional tool, but each had its niche according to early 2010s consumer needs.

If you’re hunting an ultracompact today, both cameras feel dated next to modern smartphones and mirrorless compacts. However, for collectors or debut users on a budget, understanding this comparison provides a window into early digital pocket camera evolution and helps frame how convenience and capability have battled over time in personal imaging devices.

Enjoy your photographic journey, whatever you choose to carry in your pocket.

End of Review