Panasonic Lumix DC-G100 vs. Samsung ST30: A Hands-On Comparison for Today’s Photographers

In my years behind the lens, I've seen an incredible evolution in camera design and capability. From basic point-and-shoots to sophisticated mirrorless systems, each step offers distinct advantages - and compromises. Today, I’m putting two completely different cameras side by side: the 2020 Panasonic Lumix DC-G100, an entry-level mirrorless camera aimed at vloggers and enthusiasts, and the decade-old Samsung ST30, a compact digital point-and-shoot from 2011. At first glance, these cameras could not be more different, but understanding their strengths and limitations matters a great deal - especially for photographers who weigh real-world performance, affordability, and specific use cases.

I’ve had ample hands-on time with both cameras to provide you a grounded, detailed evaluation. I measured sensor technology, autofocus responsiveness, handling, build quality, and image output. I also explored how each performs across genres from portraits to landscapes, wildlife to street photography. If you are considering either camera or simply want to understand the trade-offs between a modern mirrorless and a classic ultracompact, this deep dive will inform your buying decisions.

Size and Ergonomics: Handling Experience Matters More Than Ever

Right out of the gate, the physical feel and ergonomics set these two cameras worlds apart.

The Panasonic G100 features a traditional SLR-style mirrorless body that is compact yet substantial in your hands with dimensions of 116 x 83 x 54 mm and weighing 352 grams (body only). The pronounced grip and accessible button layout make long shooting sessions comfortable. This size strikes a good balance for travel, street, and outdoor photography without becoming cumbersome.

Conversely, the Samsung ST30 is an ultra-lightweight, pocketable compact measuring just 82 x 52 x 17 mm and weighing a mere 87 grams. Its svelte design wins in portability but at the expense of handling precision and control, where small buttons and no dedicated dials limit quick adjustments.

For photographers who value tactile feedback and steady handling - especially when pairing with longer lenses - the Panasonic’s ergonomics are always preferred. The Samsung excels in discreet scenarios, when carrying weight and footprint are paramount.

Top Controls and User Interface: Designed for Different Eras

Ergonomics extend beyond grip to control layouts and interfaces that impact shooting workflow daily.

The Panasonic G100 presents a thoughtfully arranged top panel with dials for aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation, plus a mode dial for creative flexibility. Buttons are logically grouped, and the touchscreen on the rear enhances menu navigation and focus control. These controls cater wonderfully to photographers who want manual exposure modes and fast access during dynamic shoots.

In contrast, the Samsung ST30 has a minimalist approach with very simplified controls. It lacks manual exposure modes entirely. The omission of a viewfinder forces sole reliance on the 3-inch fixed LCD for composing shots, which, with a resolution of only 460 pixels, can make critical focus and detail review challenging in bright light.

The Panasonic truly stands out for those requiring granular control and efficiency in the field, while the ST30 is a grab-and-shoot device for casual photography without the fuss of complicated settings.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: An Unavoidable Gap

Sensor design defines image quality, and tissue-thin technological progress here is where the Panasonic leaves the Samsung in the dust.

The Panasonic Lumix G100 sports a 20MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm (224.9 mm²), which, while smaller than full-frame, delivers excellent dynamic range, low noise, and color depth - especially compared to compact sensors. The multi-aspect ratio functionality from 1:1 to 16:9 offers creative framing options, and the native ISO range up to 25,600 supports low-light shooting with manageable noise.

Conversely, the Samsung ST30 has a 10MP 1/3-inch CCD sensor of just 4.8 x 3.6 mm (17.28 mm²). Despite a higher maximum resolution on paper (4608 × 3456 pixels), this tiny sensor struggles with noise and dynamic range from ISO 100 onwards. There is no RAW support, limiting post-processing flexibility.

From my testing in varying conditions - from shadow-rich landscapes to dim interiors - the Lumix G100 produces confident images with fine detail and cleaner high ISO performance. The Samsung’s images show early noise degradation and limited color fidelity. For critical image quality, the G100 wins hands down.

Articulated Touchscreen and User Experience: A Vlogger’s Dream vs. Casual Use

Moving to interface and compositional aids, screen quality profoundly shapes the shooting experience.

The Panasonic’s fully articulated 3-inch, 1840k-dot touchscreen enables creative angles - from waist level to overhead - that are essential for vloggers and self-shooters. Touch autofocus (“touch to focus”) proved responsive and intuitive in my tests, streamlining workflow. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 3680-dot resolution and 100% coverage complements bright, sunny conditions when LCD viewing can be unreliable.

The Samsung ST30’s 3-inch fixed screen with 460-dot resolution is serviceable but falls short in sharpness and responsiveness. No touchscreen means you rely solely on buttons for focus and menu navigation, which can slow capture cadence, especially in critical moments.

For anyone serious about content creation, the Panasonic’s versatile screen and EVF offer substantial practical advantages not found in the Samsung.

Autofocus Systems Compared: Precision and Speed for Demanding Subjects

Autofocus quality often decides success in genres like portraiture, wildlife, and sport, and here the electronics play a starring role.

The Lumix G100 uses contrast-detection autofocus with 49 focus points and face detection. Though it lacks phase detection and animal eye AF, it achieves commendable accuracy and tracking speeds in my field tests, especially with well-illuminated subjects. The AF also supports continuous, single, and tracking modes, aiding versatility. I tested focus tracking while photographing children and pets; results were reliable within its technical bounds.

On the other hand, the Samsung ST30 simply lacks autofocus sophistication, relying on fixed-focus or basic center-weighted focusing without face detection. Manual focusing is unavailable. For street and candid shots, this limits creative control and can frustrate when subjects move unpredictably.

In fast-paced, detail-critical scenarios like sports or wildlife, the Lumix’s autofocus system is markedly superior and more future-proof.

Image Stabilization and Shutter Performance: Stability Matters

Neither camera features in-body image stabilization, so I relied on lens stabilization on the Lumix side or steady hands for the Samsung.

The G100’s shutter speeds extend impressively from 60 seconds to 1/16,000 second electronically, letting me freeze rapid motion or apply long exposures creatively without the need for filters. The mechanical shutter maxes out at 1/500 second, adequate for most shooting but less nimble than some larger systems.

The Samsung ST30 shutter ranges 8 to 1/2000 seconds, suitable mostly for daylight or casual capture, but limited for sports or fast action.

For handheld shooting in tricky light, the Lumix paired with stabilized lenses performs much better, especially for macro and night compositions.

Battery Life and Storage: Daylong Reliability or Compact Convenience?

Battery endurance matters to travelers and event shooters alike.

The Panasonic G100 offers around 270 shots per charge per manufacturer specs, and in my practice tends to last reasonably for a day’s moderate shooting, if you disable power-hungry features like Wi-Fi. It uses standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with UHS-I support, balancing capacity and affordability.

The Samsung ST30’s battery life isn’t extensively documented, but in general ultracompacts sacrifice longevity for miniaturization. It only supports proprietary storage (unspecified), and no wireless connectivity means fewer battery drains but less flexibility.

Overall, the Panasonic’s battery system supports more ambitious shooting projects especially where tethering or large files are involved.

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability: Fixed Lens vs. Micro Four Thirds Freedom

A key decision point: the ability to upgrade optics.

The Lumix G100 uses the Micro Four Thirds mount, opening a vast ecosystem of over 100 lenses from Panasonic, Olympus, and third parties. From fast primes to telephoto zooms, this provides creative breadth. I personally recommend coupling it with a stabilized 12-32mm kit lens for walkabout photography or a 42.5mm f/1.7 Panasonic prime for portraits with pleasing bokeh.

The Samsung ST30 is fixed-lens only, limiting versatility but simplifying operation. It caters strictly to casual photographers not looking to change focal lengths.

Lens compatibility significantly impacts growth potential - another point in favor of Lumix for enthusiasts and pros alike.

Photography Genre Performance: A Versatile Performer vs. a Simple Snapshot Camera

To frame practical applicability, I tested both cameras across disciplines:

Portrait Photography

The G100’s accurate face-detection AF and interchangeable lenses deliver greater control over focus and depth of field. Skin tones render naturally, and bokeh is smooth with fast primes. The ST30’s fixed optics and basic AF deliver mostly “good enough” snapshots but lack the creative finesse.

Landscape and Travel

The Lumix’s higher resolution sensor and dynamic range reveal nuanced skies and textures, with weather sealing absent but manageable. The Samsung’s small sensor, though decent in daylight, lacks detail and range for expansive scenes.

Wildlife and Sports

Burst shooting at 10 fps and AF tracking on the Lumix allow capturing action, albeit limited by lens reach and small sensor size. The Samsung offers no burst mode or tracking - unsuitable for action.

Street and Casual

Samsung’s compact size suits unobtrusive street photography, but poor AF and screen visibility hamper responsiveness. The Lumix is less stealthy but provides creative control and better image quality.

Macro and Night

Neither camera excels in stabilization. Lumix’s manual focus and long exposure capabilities make it better for macro focus bracketing and night shots. The Samsung’s older sensor and fixed lens struggle in low light.

Video Capabilities: G100 Tailored for Content Creators

The Panasonic G100 shines as a vlogging and video tool, recording 4K video at 3840 x 1920 pixels up to 30 fps, and Full HD up to 120 fps. It includes microphone input, enhancing audio quality - a must for serious videographers.

Samsung ST30 records only 640 x 480 video without audio input or advanced codecs. It’s fine for amateur clips but falls short for anything professional.

Connectivity Features: Modern Tools vs. Basic Setup

Wireless features enable seamless workflows today.

Lumix G100 boasts Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for remote control and easy sharing via the Lumix app, critical for fast social media workflows. USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs support tethered shooting and high-res playback.

The Samsung lacks any wireless or external ports, limiting integration into modern photo ecosystems.

Overall Performance Ratings and Value Analysis

After comprehensive field testing, I compiled overall performance scores based on image quality, autofocus, usability, and versatility.

The Panasonic Lumix G100 leads comfortably as a well-rounded, entry-level mirrorless camera with broad appeal, even if it lacks advanced weather sealing or top-end features.

Samsung ST30 scores lower as a budget, ultra-portable camera suitable for very casual shooters who prioritize pocketability over image quality or control.

Genre-Specific Performance Insight

Breaking down genre strengths clarifies which camera suits your interests.

The G100 excels in portrait, landscape, and video categories due to its sensor and lens ecosystem. The ST30 can only compete in casual street or snapshot use due to size and simplicity.

Image Quality Comparison: Sample Galleries Tell the Story

Nothing beats side-by-side image comparison to judge quality.

Panasonic G100 front Panasonic G100 screen back Samsung ST30 front Samsung ST30 screen back

Looking closely at these sample photos, note the Lumix’s richer colors, better detail retention in shadows, and cleaner high ISO performance. The Samsung images appear softer with less color fidelity, but straightforward compositions hold nostalgic charm for simple memory keeping.

So, Which Camera Should You Choose?

If you want my honest, tested advice:

• Choose the Panasonic Lumix G100 if:
  You are an enthusiast or content creator who demands higher image quality, manual controls, video capability, and the flexibility to grow your lens collection over time. It’s well suited for travel photographers, vloggers, or hobbyists ready to invest in a versatile system that balances portability with performance.

• Choose the Samsung ST30 if:
  You want a truly pocketable ultra-compact for casual snapshots and convenience over quality. Its straightforward design requires almost no learning curve and is perfect as a backup or first “just point and shoot” option on a strict budget.

Final Thoughts from My Experience

Testing cameras as different as these highlights how far mirrorless systems have come and how basic compacts still cater to an important niche. The Panasonic G100, despite being a few years old, stands as a remarkably capable and affordable system offering solid image quality, refined controls, and video features that remain relevant.

The Samsung ST30 is a reminder of a simpler era in digital photography - without bells and whistles, but with ease-of-use and portability.

Choosing the right tool means balancing your creative ambitions, shooting style, and budget. I encourage you to handle both if possible, review sample images in your preferred subjects, and, most importantly, identify what features truly enhance your photographic journey.

Disclosure: I have no affiliation with Panasonic or Samsung. All testing was personally conducted using production models under varied photographic scenarios to ensure an impartial, thorough evaluation.