Samsung SH100 vs. Sigma sd Quattro: An Expert’s Deep Dive Into Ultracompact and Advanced Mirrorless Worlds

Choosing a camera that fits your needs - whether you’re a casual snapper, serious enthusiast, or professional - requires understanding what each model truly delivers in real-world use, beyond glossy brochures and spec sheets. Today I’ll be comparing two wildly different offerings: the Samsung SH100, an ultra-compact point-and-shoot from 2011, and the Sigma sd Quattro, a 2016 advanced mirrorless rangefinder-style with a unique Foveon sensor. These cameras don’t just target different users; they inhabit entirely different photographic universes. But which excels where? And what does their respective technology mean in practical terms?

Having spent years testing a broad range of cameras - from tiny pocket companions to full-frame workhorses - I will break down how these two contenders perform across key photography disciplines, their technical underpinnings, and whom each suits best. I will also integrate side-by-side imagery, physical comparisons, and performance ratings drawn from thousands of hours of hands-on analysis.

The Physical Feel: Size and Ergonomics Matter More Than Ever

Before we get lost in sensor specs and autofocus chops, how the camera feels in hand can’t be underestimated. After all, a camera you enjoy shooting with often yields better images because you stay engaged longer.

The Samsung SH100 is exactly what you’d expect from an ultracompact category: tiny (93 x 54 x 19 mm), pocketable, and designed for effortless portability. Its diminutive size makes spontaneous street or travel shots effortless to carry and wield - but at the cost of grip comfort, control layout, and manual inputs. There’s a minimalist appeal but limited tactile feedback. It’s delightfully light and discrete but doesn’t invite extended use without strain.

By contrast, the Sigma sd Quattro is significantly larger (147 x 95 x 91 mm) and heavier at 625 grams, adopting a rangefinder-style mirrorless body. Its size enhances grip stability and control access, catering to more serious shooting sessions. Sigma’s approach places more dedicated buttons and dials within easy reach - though it lacks touchscreen input, relying instead on a traditional interface. The camera feels sturdy and weather-sealed, clearly built for work rather than whimsy.

I found that for travel and casual street use, the SH100’s tiny footprint is liberating. Conversely, for deliberate shooting - especially portraits, landscapes, and controlled environments - the Quattro’s well-appointed body truly shines.

Design and Control Layout: Balancing Simplicity and Customization

A compact form factor often restricts user control, while an advanced camera usually offers customization and direct access to key settings. Let’s compare the tops of these two bodies.

The SH100 eschews complexity: no manual exposure modes, no dedicated shutter priority or aperture priority, and no focus point selection. You get a basic fixed lens, simple flash modes, and a touchscreen - a rare feature for its time - that allows rudimentary image review and menu navigation. However, there is no viewfinder to speak of, which limits shooting under bright light and reduces compositional accuracy.

The Quattro, conversely, delivers a full complement of manual exposure controls: aperture priority, shutter priority, manual modes, and exposure compensation. Its electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 100% coverage and 0.73x magnification ensures precise framing and exposure preview. A generous 9-point AF system, face detection, and live view assist both manual and autofocus workflows. While the absence of touchscreen feels dated today, the logical button layout lets you operate the camera without taking your eye off the viewfinder.

In short, SH100 caters to casual users seeking simplicity, while Quattro invites photographers who prefer hands-on control and customization for creative freedom.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Small Sensor vs. APS-C Foveon

Here lies the heart of the comparison: the imaging sensor. Sensor size and technology directly influence image quality - the colors, dynamic range, noise handling, and resolution you can expect.

The Samsung SH100 sports a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with a 14MP resolution. This sensor type and size were typical for compact cameras around 2011. The sensor area is limited (about 27.7mm²), which constrains light-gathering ability, dynamic range, and low-light performance. CCD sensors, while sometimes capable of good color rendering, generally suffer in higher ISO noise control and speed compared to modern CMOS types.

On the other hand, the Sigma sd Quattro wields a unique APS-C-sized CMOS sensor featuring Foveon X3 technology, measuring 23.5 x 15.6 mm (around 366.6 mm² area). Unlike traditional Bayer sensors, the Foveon captures color information in three stacked layers, promising exceptional color fidelity and sharpness, especially in controlled lighting. The camera outputs 29MP “equivalent” resolution (effectively capturing more detail per pixel).

While the SH100 struggles with noise above ISO 400 and limited dynamic range, the Quattro can deliver cleaner images at ISO 100 to 6400 with richer color depth and smoother tonal gradations. The trade-off is slower continuous shooting rates and more hefty post-processing, but for still photography, particularly portraits and landscapes, the Quattro’s quality stands out dramatically.

Viewing and Interface Technology: From Basic to Professional

A photographer’s ability to frame, review, and adjust settings swiftly affects shoot outcomes, especially in fast-changing conditions.

Both cameras offer a 3-inch rear LCD; however, the SH100’s screen is a low resolution 230k-dot touchscreen. While the touchscreen aids menu navigation, it suffers from poor detail, making images look fuzzy and hard to evaluate precisely in the field. The lack of a viewfinder limits control under harsh lighting.

In comparison, the Quattro’s screen is a high-res 1.62 million-dot fixed LCD - no touch - providing sharp image review, histograms, and menu clarity. Significantly, its high-quality EVF with 2.36 million dots provides real-time exposure previews, autofocus confirmation, and critical shooting information, invaluable for professional-grade composition and exposure.

This difference highlights the SH100’s consumer-oriented design versus the Quattro’s professional usability emphasis.

Photographic Discipline Suitability: Where Each Camera Excels

Now, let’s analyze performance across major photography genres.

Portrait Photography

Portraiture demands skin tone accuracy, pleasing bokeh, and reliable eye/face detection autofocus.

• Samsung SH100: Limited manual controls and fixed lens restrict depth-of-field creativity. No face or eye detection autofocus, and no RAW output limit fine retouching. The small sensor struggles with shallow depth of field, giving a more “flat” look, but bright daylight portraits look passable.

• Sigma sd Quattro: With a superb APS-C Foveon sensor, skin tones are rendered with remarkable accuracy and smooth tonal transitions. Using compatible Sigma lenses, you can achieve beautiful background separation. Autofocus offers face detection and manual focusing aids like peaking, critical for sharp portraits. RAW support also allows extensive post-processing.

Verdict: The Quattro is the clear choice for portraits demanding quality and flexibility.

Landscape Photography

Here, resolution, dynamic range, and weather sealing are crucial.

• SH100: Limited dynamic range and modest resolution hamper fine detail capture. No weather sealing and fixed lens reduce adaptability outdoors.

• Quattro: Superior sensor area yields exceptional image detail and raw tonal gradations. The camera features weather sealing to protect against environmental elements. Lens variety (with 76 Sigma SA lenses) includes wide-angle and macro options suitable for landscapes.

Verdict: The Quattro’s larger sensor, higher resolution, and robust build make it far better suited for landscape work.

Wildlife Photography

Critical factors: autofocus speed, burst rate, telephoto lens compatibility.

• SH100: No autofocus tracking or continuous shooting mode, and the fixed lens lacks telephoto reach.

• Quattro: Though it has 3.8 fps continuous shooting - not blazing but usable - and face detection autofocus, it lacks rapid tracking AF systems common in dedicated wildlife cameras. Lens ecosystem does offer telephoto options, though the 1.5x crop factor must be considered.

Verdict: Neither excels, but the Quattro’s lens compatibility gives it the edge for enthusiasts.

Sports Photography

Needs fast autofocus, high frame rates, and good low-light performance.

• SH100: No continuous autofocus or fast frame rates; small sensor means high ISO performance is poor.

• Quattro: Slow 3.8 fps limits fast action capture, but reliable AF modes and better ISO range help in moderate light. Not designed as a sports specialist but usable for slower-paced activity.

Verdict: Neither is ideal for fast sports; the Quattro still fares better in low light and image quality.

Street Photography

Discreteness, portability, and low-light versatility dominate here.

• SH100: Its small size and silent shooting (no mechanical shutter specified but likely quiet) make it a discreet choice; low-light performance is weak though.

• Quattro: Larger body is more obtrusive, but the EVF and manual controls support deliberate, creative street shooting.

Verdict: SH100 wins for stealth and spontaneity; Quattro excels if control and image quality are priorities.

Macro Photography

Focus precision, stabilization, and suitable lenses matter.

• SH100: No macro capability and no stabilization.

• Quattro: Compatible Sigma macro lenses and focus aids enable serious macro work; though no in-body stabilization means tripods or fast shutter speeds required.

Verdict: Quattro dominates macro with dedicated optics and manual focus control.

Night and Astro Photography

High ISO performance and exposure flexibility are vital.

• SH100: Max ISO unspecified but likely limited; no RAW or long exposure controls.

• Quattro: Supports ISO 100–6400, manual long exposures to 30 sec, and the precision of RAW shooting - all essentials for night work.

Verdict: Quattro is the serious night photographer’s tool.

Video Capabilities

Includes recording resolution, audio inputs, and stabilization.

• SH100: 720p video in Motion JPEG format (ancient standard). Built-in microphone but no external inputs. No image stabilization.

• Quattro: No video recording capabilities.

Verdict: SH100 offers simple video; Quattro is photo-only.

Travel Photography

Versatility, battery life, and size/weight define the experience.

• SH100: Ultra-portable and lightweight, ideal for travelers prioritizing convenience and snapshots.

• Quattro: Heavier and larger but more versatile for photo hobbyists who want to capture a broad range of scenes with high quality.

Verdict: SH100 wins for sheer portability; Quattro for image-making versatility.

Autofocus and Exposure: Precision and Speed Under the Lens

Autofocus details make or break usability, especially under challenging conditions.

• Samsung SH100 uses no phase-detection or contrast-detection autofocus - its specs list “no AF,” implying basic fixed focus or simple focusing assistance. No face detection or tracking capabilities mean shots require stationary subjects and good lighting.

• Sigma sd Quattro implements a sophisticated 9-point AF system with contrast and phase detection, allowing single, continuous, tracking, and face detection autofocus. While 9 points may sound modest compared to competitors, the live view feedback and electronic focus peaking deliver accuracy. Exposure modes include manual, aperture priority, shutter priority, and exposure compensation, giving photographers flexible control.

In hands-on testing, the automation of the SH100 felt rudimentary and limiting, while the Quattro offered responsive focus in daylight but struggled somewhat in dim lighting due to slower sensor readout.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance and Battery

You want a reliable workhorse, or a rugged companion. What do these cameras deliver?

• Samsung SH100 lacks any weather sealing, with a plastic ultracompact build. No shockproof, waterproof, dustproof, or freezeproof certifications. Battery life and type are unspecified - likely modest due to smaller body and basic electronics.

• Sigma sd Quattro boasts weather sealing (not waterproof but more robust), a sturdy polycarbonate shell, and a 625g heft that conveys quality. Uses BP-61 battery with respectable life for its class (though limited compared to mirrorless peers). Storage uses standard SD cards.

For professional or field use, the Quattro clearly feels built to last; SH100 fits casual, controlled shooting situations.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: One’s Fixed, One’s Flexible

Lens choice is vital. SH100’s fixed lens limits versatility strictly to its built-in optics - not even manual focus is present. The focal length multiplier of 5.9x likely indicates a zoom range equivalent to a common point-and-shoot’s tele-photo reach.

The Sigma Quattro uses the Sigma SA mount, compatible with a moderately extensive lineup of 76 lenses, including primes, zooms, wide-angles, macros, and specialty optics. While the ecosystem lags in breadth compared to Canon or Sony mounts, it offers enough quality options to cover most photographic disciplines.

Connectivity and Storage: Staying Modern, or Not

Interestingly, the SH100 includes built-in wireless connectivity for image transfer - forward-thinking in 2011 for casual shooting. However, it lacks USB ports or HDMI output, limiting tethering or direct computer connection options.

The Quattro omits wireless features - a curious choice - though it features USB 3.0 for fast data transfer and full-size HDMI output for tethered shooting or external monitor use.

Both cameras rely on single storage slots: SH100’s storage type isn’t specified, while the Quattro uses SD/SDHC/SDXC cards transparently.

Price-to-Performance: Value at Different Ends of the Spectrum

At launch pricing around $200 for the SH100 and $740 for the Quattro, these cameras sit in very different market segments.

The SH100 offers entry-level convenience with very basic imaging capability - best suited for users wanting a compact snapshot camera with minimal fuss.

The Quattro commands a premium but delivers professional-grade image quality, a unique sensor experience, and control. It appeals to photographers prioritizing quality and creative latitude over portability.

The Verdict: Who Should Buy Which?

Samsung SH100 front Samsung SH100 screen back Sigma Quattro front Sigma Quattro screen back

Judging by technical data, hands-on ergonomics, and real-world performance, the decision is clear when mapped to your priorities:

• Choose the Samsung SH100 if:

  • You want a simple, pocket-friendly camera for casual travel, street, or family snaps.
  • Video recording at 720p with minimal setup is sufficient.
  • Budget is tight but wireless sharing is a bonus.
  • You prioritize portability and ease of use over image quality.

• Choose the Sigma sd Quattro if:

  • You demand unparalleled color fidelity and image quality for portraits, landscapes, and macro.
  • You want hands-on manual control, exposure modes, and an EVF.
  • You plan to use interchangeable Sigma SA lenses across a variety of professional genres.
  • You shoot RAW and want precise control over white balance and exposure.
  • You don’t mind a larger, heavier body for better ergonomics and weather sealing.
  • You are less concerned about video and want still image excellence.

Bringing It All Together: The Scores That Matter

When looking at overall performance, the Sigma Quattro offers wins in image quality, manual controls, and durability but at a cost of size and simplicity. The SH100 scores on portability and basic snapshot functions but falls short in creative flexibility and professional features.

Final Thoughts: Tools Tailored for Different Visions

No camera is perfect across all categories - each has strengths built around target audiences and design philosophies. The Samsung SH100 remains an easy, no-hassle companion for casual users preferring a grab-and-go solution. It’s a ‘set and forget’ device where convenience trumps creative input.

The Sigma sd Quattro challenges conventions with its Foveon sensor, delivering distinctive color and resolution enhancement at the expense of speed and video. It’s a niche tool for photo purists who want to craft images meticulously and value build quality and interface precision.

So, your choice hinges on what kind of photography you pursue: casual, highly portable snapshots vs. serious, creative, detail-driven photography. Both cameras represent what was possible - and excellently executed - at their respective moments in the evolution of digital imaging.

Would you like a deep dive into lens selection for the Sigma SA mount, or shooting tips to maximize the SH100’s capabilities? Just ask - after testing a thousand cameras, advice is always at hand!