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Pentax P70 vs Samsung ST30

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
20
Overall
28
Pentax Optio P70 front
 
Samsung ST30 front
Portability
98
Imaging
32
Features
18
Overall
26

Pentax P70 vs Samsung ST30 Key Specs

Pentax P70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 155g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Announced March 2009
Samsung ST30
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 0 - 0
  • 640 x 480 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • 87g - 82 x 52 x 17mm
  • Revealed January 2011
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Pentax P70 vs Samsung ST30 Overview

Following is a in depth comparison of the Pentax P70 versus Samsung ST30, both Ultracompact digital cameras by rivals Pentax and Samsung. The resolution of the P70 (12MP) and the ST30 (10MP) is pretty well matched but the P70 (1/2.3") and ST30 (1/3") offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The P70 was manufactured 22 months prior to the ST30 which makes them a generation away from each other. The two cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before getting into a full comparison, here is a quick summary of how the P70 grades versus the ST30 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax P70 over the Samsung ST30

 P70 ST30 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing

Reasons to pick Samsung ST30 over the Pentax P70

 ST30 P70 
RevealedJanuary 2011March 2009More modern by 22 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Pentax P70 and Samsung ST30

 P70 ST30 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Pentax P70 vs Samsung ST30 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera, you have to consider its weight and size. The Pentax P70 provides physical dimensions of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) whilst the Samsung ST30 has specifications of 82mm x 52mm x 17mm (3.2" x 2.0" x 0.7") with a weight of 87 grams (0.19 lbs).

Examine the Pentax P70 versus Samsung ST30 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at the time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the P70 vs the ST30.

Pentax P70 vs Samsung ST30 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the P70 and ST30 is 95 and 98 respectively.

Pentax P70 vs Samsung ST30 top view buttons comparison

Pentax P70 vs Samsung ST30 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to envision the gap between sensor sizes merely by reading through specifications. The image below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the P70 and ST30.

To sum up, each of these cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The P70 because of its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Pentax P70 will give extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged P70 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax P70 vs Samsung ST30 sensor size comparison

Pentax P70 vs Samsung ST30 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax P70 vs Samsung ST30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax P70 as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung ST30 as a Portrait photography camera
27
has manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
19
no manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax P70 Street photography advice
Samsung ST30 Street photography advice
47
no moving screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than competitors (155g)
54
lighter than competition in class (87g)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/3")
no RAW support
low maximum ISO (0)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax P70 Sports photography features
Samsung ST30 Sports photography features
17
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,000 seconds)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
16
fixed focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax P70
Travel photography with Samsung ST30
56
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors (155 grams)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
65
lighter than competition in class (87 grams)
built-in flash
very good maximum aperture (f)
lack of Timelapse recording
MP count low (10MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax P70
Landscape photography with Samsung ST30
32
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
30
very good maximum aperture (f)
pretty good screen size (3")
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/3")
low maximum ISO (0)
no RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax P70
Vlogging with Samsung ST30
25
really wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic support
heavier than competitors (155 grams)
29
very good maximum aperture (f)
lighter than competition in class (87g)
does not have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of microphone port
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Pentax P70 vs Samsung ST30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax P70 and Samsung ST30
 Pentax Optio P70Samsung ST30
General Information
Company Pentax Samsung
Model Pentax Optio P70 Samsung ST30
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Announced 2009-03-02 2011-01-19
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 4.8 x 3.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 17.3mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 64 -
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-110mm (3.9x) ()
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focus range 10cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 7.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.60 m -
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (15 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 155 grams (0.34 pounds) 87 grams (0.19 pounds)
Physical dimensions 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") 82 x 52 x 17mm (3.2" x 2.0" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal -
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $200 $55