Comparing Two Samsung Ultracompacts: SL620 vs. ST65 - Which One Fits Your Photography Journey?

When entering the universe of compact cameras, you want something that can easily slip into your pocket while still offering solid image quality and user-friendly features. Samsung's line of ultracompacts has long served enthusiasts looking for reliable toolsets without the heft and complexity of DSLRs or mirrorless systems. Today, we take an expert, hands-on look at two models from Samsung's ultracompact category: the Samsung SL620, introduced in early 2009, and the Samsung ST65, released in early 2011.

Both cameras target casual users and travelers who want simplicity with decent image capabilities. However, time and technology advancements between these releases bring nuanced differences affecting real-world photography. If you’re deliberating between these options or curious about how older compacts stack up, our thorough comparison cuts through the specs and gets into practical experience, performance highlights, and which will suit specific photography needs.

Form Factor and Handling: Comfort Meets Compactness

Your camera is an extension of creative expression, so handling can profoundly impact your shooting experience. Both SL620 and ST65 fall solidly in the ultracompact category, prioritizing portability.

At first glance, the SL620 is slightly thicker and heavier, likely stemming from its bulkier lens assembly and possibly battery design. The ST65 trims down on thickness by approximately 6 mm and boasts a significantly larger, higher-resolution LCD screen, making live framing and image review more pleasant and detailed.

The ergonomics of the SL620 favor a slightly thicker grip, which some users may find more reassuring when holding the camera for extended periods. Conversely, the ST65’s sleeker profile means it tucks into slimmer pockets more easily - ideal for street photographers or travelers prioritizing weight and size.

Control-wise, neither camera offers extensive manual dials or physical buttons for direct access to settings. Both aim at point-and-shoot simplicity, with reliance on on-screen menus supplemented by limited tactile controls. Neither includes touchscreen capabilities, and their button illumination is absent, making low-light operation less intuitive.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Your Photos

Let’s dive into what fundamentally impacts your image quality: the sensor. Despite both cameras featuring 1/2.3" CCD sensors, differences in resolution and sensor design details create contrasting results.

The ST65 edges out the SL620 with a higher megapixel count of 14MP versus 12MP. While both sensors are very similar in physical size, the ST65’s extra pixels allow slightly finer detail capture, especially noticeable when cropping or printing larger photo sizes above 8x10".

However, increased megapixels on such small sensors often mean smaller individual pixels, which can elevate noise levels at higher ISO sensitivities. Given Samsung’s lack of detailed ISO support for the ST65 and its CCD sensor design, expect similar noise performance between the two, optimized mostly for daylight or moderate indoor scenarios.

In our hands-on shooting, both cameras handle daylight well but struggle in low-light conditions. The SL620 explicitly states max ISO 1600, but noise is visibly present above ISO 400. The ST65 lacks official ISO specs, but our tests showed usable images under standard indoor lighting with some noise reduction applied internally.

Autofocus and Exposure Controls: What You Need to Know

Autofocus systems in ultra-compact cameras usually emphasize simplicity over advanced tracking. Let’s see how these cameras compare.

The SL620 stands out here with face detection autofocus, a very welcome feature for portrait and travel photographers who want to capture sharp skin tones and facial expressions easily. It locks on quickly and with reasonable accuracy thanks to contrast detection but can hunt in low light.

By contrast, the ST65 lacks face detection and offers a rudimentary autofocus system with only single or fixed points. This may affect shooting portraits or moving subjects where focus priority on faces is crucial.

Neither camera supports manual focus, shutter priority, or aperture priority modes - a typical limitation of compact point-and-shoots. Your exposure control is predominantly automatic, supplemented by limited compensation options on the SL620 but none on the ST65.

LCD Screen and User Interface: Framing Your Shots

A larger, higher-res screen can make a difference when composing outdoors in bright conditions or reviewing shots on the go.

The ST65’s 3-inch, 460k-dot display noticeably outperforms the SL620’s 2.7-inch, 230k-dot screen. This upgrade affords clearer image review, finer details, and a less cramped interface, which is especially beneficial for travel and street photographers who depend on the rear screen for composing rather than a viewfinder.

However, neither camera features a viewfinder, and neither has touchscreen input, which can limit usability for quickly navigating menus or settings. The lack of illuminated buttons also means working in low-light conditions relies heavily on your familiarity with the controls.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: The Flexibility Factor

Ultracompacts come with fixed zoom lenses designed for versatility rather than specialty work.

The SL620’s 5x zoom from 35 to 175mm is versatile enough for general photography - landscapes, portraits, some wildlife, and casual telephoto work. Its bright f/2.8 aperture at wide end is beneficial for indoor and low-light uses.

The ST65 does not specify focal length or aperture, but based on the sensor crop factor (~5.8x) and image samples, it likely offers a similar zoom range focused on general use. Unfortunately, the absence of detailed specs limits the ability to analyze its low-light or depth-of-field performance conclusively.

Photography Use Cases: Who Should Consider Each Model?

Matching these cameras with photography disciplines illustrates clear practical strengths and pitfalls for various creative journeys.

Portrait Photography

• Samsung SL620 shines with face detection autofocus and a relatively bright lens aperture at the wide end, facilitating sharp, flattering skin tone captures. Its 12MP sensor is sufficient for social sharing and moderate print sizes.
• Samsung ST65 lacks face detection and manual exposure controls, which may limit your ability to control skin tones perfectly or create smooth background blur (bokeh).

Landscape Photography

• Both cameras' sensors and zooms allow decent wide-angle shooting. The SL620’s lens covers 35mm, ideal for landscapes.
• Sensor size and quality limit dynamic range; neither offers weather sealing, so caution is needed outdoors.
• The ST65’s higher resolution (14MP) provides finer detail but watch for noise in shadow areas.

Wildlife and Sports

• Neither camera supports continuous autofocus or high-speed burst shooting, making them unsuitable for fast action or distant wildlife photography.
• Zoom ranges are limited compared to dedicated telephoto lenses.
• SL620’s face detection may help capture static wildlife portraits better than the ST65.

Street Photography

• ST65 pulls ahead slightly due to its flatter profile, lighter weight, and larger screen for discreet shooting.
• Both cameras lack viewfinders, but the ST65’s bigger screen enhances real-time framing.
• Low-light performance is limited on both - carry extra light or shoot in good conditions.

Macro Photography

• SL620 lets you focus as close as 5 cm, which can yield decent macro shots for flowers or insects.
• No specific macro focus range is listed for the ST65.
• Both lack focus stacking or bracketing features.

Night and Astrophotography

• Both cameras have CCD sensors prone to noise at high ISO.
• Max ISO on SL620 is 1600, with noise apparent above ISO 400.
• ST65’s ISO is undefined; expect similar limitations.
• No bulb mode or long exposures, so astrophotography is not recommended.

Video Capabilities

The ST65 improves over the SL620 by offering 720p HD video recording, whereas the SL620 is limited to low-resolution VGA-quality video. However, neither camera provides external microphone jacks or stabilization, which limits professional video usability.

Travel Photography

• Both slim cameras are easy to carry.
• Battery life is unspecified, but ultracompacts from this era generally fall short of a full day of heavy shooting.
• The SL620’s somewhat larger size might be bulkier in some travel situations.
• The ST65’s bigger screen and HD video recording enhance usability on the road.

Build Quality, Battery, and Connectivity

Neither camera offers weather sealing, waterproofing, or ruggedness beyond typical compact usage. These are casual-use devices, so avoid heavy abuse or extreme conditions.

Battery specifications are absent, but expect rechargeable proprietary lithium-ion packs typical of ultracompacts in this period. Planning extra batteries for travel days is advisable.

Connectivity-wise, both cameras lack Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, and HDMI output. The SL620 includes a USB 2.0 port for image transfer; the ST65 lacks this, which may complicate file offloading without removing the memory card.

Lens Ecosystem and Expansion

Both models use fixed lenses, so no interchangeable lenses or system expansions are possible. This design simplifies use but restricts creative flexibility. Today’s mirrorless or DSLR systems offer extensive lens ranges for dedicated portrait, macro, sports, or wildlife shooting.

Comparing Their Performance Scores and Real-World Image Samples

We synthesized insights from our extensive hands-on tests and industry-wide benchmarks, shown here:

Samsung SL620 front Samsung SL620 screen back Samsung ST65 front Samsung ST65 screen back

Above, you can observe image sharpness, color fidelity, and noise levels in typical shooting scenarios. The SL620 excels in portrait warmth and close focusing for macros. The ST65 presents sharper landscapes with its higher resolution but lacks face detection to improve portraits.

Our aggregated rating shows:

• SL620: Strong performer for portraits and casual use with favorable image quality.
• ST65: Stronger on image resolution and video but lags in autofocus and versatility.

A more granular, genre-specific performance breakdown supports these observations:

Who Should Choose What?

Final Thoughts: Making Your Choice Count

Our testing experience confirms that while both Samsung cameras offer solid entry points into compact photography, the Samsung SL620 holds the edge for casual shooters focused on portraiture and close-up work, thanks to face-detection AF and brighter lens aperture.

The Samsung ST65 moves the needle on resolution and video, catering better to travelers and video enthusiasts who prioritize ease of use and HD recording in a slimmer package.

Neither camera will satisfy serious enthusiasts or professionals needing manual controls, high-speed AF, or RAW support. But for beginners or those valuing simplicity and portability, these models deliver satisfying results if you adopt appropriate shooting scenarios.

We recommend trying each camera in person if possible to assess your preferred ergonomics and interface. For those who want to experiment, look for used or discounted models that provide affordable entry points.

Friendly Reminder: Accessorize to Amplify Your Creativity

Regardless of which camera you choose:

• Pick up a high-speed, reliable SD card for smooth storage.
• Carry an extra battery or portable charger on long outings.
• Consider a lightweight tripod or mini-stabilizer for macro or low-light shooting.
• Explore compatible camera bags designed for ultracompacts to stay organized on the move.

Your creative journey deserves gear that fits your style, skill, and ambitions. The SL620 and ST65 are windows into Samsung’s ultracompact offerings - timeless tools that remind us to capture moments, enjoy the process, and keep exploring.

Ready to get started? Check out these models in action, hold them in your hand, and find the right fit for your photographic adventures!

Happy shooting!