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Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung ST30

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Samsung ST30 front
Portability
98
Imaging
32
Features
18
Overall
26

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung ST30 Key Specs

Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Introduced July 2014
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 XG-1 vs Samsung ST30 Overview

In this article, we will be comparing the Pentax XG-1 and Samsung ST30, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Ultracompact by brands Pentax and Samsung. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the XG-1 (16MP) and ST30 (10MP) and the XG-1 (1/2.3") and ST30 (1/3") come with different sensor sizing.

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The XG-1 was introduced 3 years later than the ST30 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Samsung ST30 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving through a in-depth comparison, below is a short highlight of how the XG-1 matches up versus the ST30 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Samsung ST30

 XG-1 ST30 
RevealedJuly 2014January 2011Fresher by 43 months
Focus manually Very exact focus

Reasons to pick Samsung ST30 over the Pentax XG-1

 ST30 XG-1 

Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Samsung ST30

 XG-1 ST30 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung ST30 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax XG-1 offers exterior dimensions of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") having a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) while the Samsung ST30 has sizing of 82mm x 52mm x 17mm (3.2" x 2.0" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 87 grams (0.19 lbs).

Look at the Pentax XG-1 and Samsung ST30 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the XG-1 vs the ST30.

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung ST30 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the XG-1 and ST30 is 66 and 98 respectively.

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung ST30 top view buttons comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung ST30 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing only by going through technical specs. The photograph here will help give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the XG-1 and ST30.

As you have seen, each of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The XG-1 with its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field simpler and the Pentax XG-1 will show extra detail using its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more recent XG-1 should have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung ST30 sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung ST30 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung ST30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography info
Samsung ST30 Portrait photography info
40
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
no external flash support
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/3")
no RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Street photography highlights
Samsung ST30 Street photography highlights
43
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
heavier than competition (567 grams)
54
lighter than average (87 grams)
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/3")
no RAW support
max ISO too low (0)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Sports photography camera
Samsung ST30 as a Sports photography camera
45
excellent zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery life (240 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
16
focal length is fixed (()mm)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Travel photography information
Samsung ST30 Travel photography information
52
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
long reach (1248mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
low battery life (240 per charge)
heavier than competition (567g)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
65
lighter than average (87 grams)
flash built-in
good maximum aperture (f)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (10MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography features
Samsung ST30 Landscape photography features
45
has manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
low battery life (240 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
30
good maximum aperture (f)
screen size is good (3 inches)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
no manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/3")
max ISO too low (0)
no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Vlogging info
Samsung ST30 Vlogging info
25
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of mic port
heavier than competition (567 grams)
29
good maximum aperture (f)
lighter than average (87 grams)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have mic jack
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Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung ST30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Samsung ST30
 Pentax XG-1Samsung ST30
General Information
Brand Pentax Samsung
Model Pentax XG-1 Samsung ST30
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Introduced 2014-07-15 2011-01-19
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 4.8 x 3.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 17.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 -
Minimum native ISO 100 -
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1248mm (52.0x) ()
Max aperture f/2.8-5.6 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 7.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 200k dot -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 9.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.00 m -
Flash modes Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) 640 x 480
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 567g (1.25 pounds) 87g (0.19 pounds)
Dimensions 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") 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
Battery life 240 shots -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model LB-060 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC -
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $599 $55