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Samsung ST100 vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
34
Overall
35
Samsung ST100 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54

Samsung ST100 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs

Samsung ST100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-175mm (F3.6-4.8) lens
  • 155g - 100 x 60 x 20mm
  • Announced January 2010
Sony NEX-3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Later Model is Sony NEX-C3
Photography Glossary

Samsung ST100 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Samsung ST100 vs Sony NEX-3, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Samsung and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ST100 (14MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is very well matched but the ST100 (1/2.3") and NEX-3 (APS-C) possess different sensor sizes.

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The ST100 was launched 5 months earlier than the NEX-3 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Samsung ST100 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a brief summation of how the ST100 scores against the NEX-3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung ST100 over the Sony NEX-3

 ST100 NEX-3 
Display sizing3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1152k920kCrisper display (+232k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Samsung ST100

 NEX-3 ST100 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Samsung ST100 and Sony NEX-3

 ST100 NEX-3 
IntroducedJanuary 2010June 2010Similar generation
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Samsung ST100 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and volume. The Samsung ST100 enjoys outside dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 0.8") and a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3 has sizing of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

Examine the Samsung ST100 vs Sony NEX-3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the ST100 vs the NEX-3.

Samsung ST100 vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the ST100 and NEX-3 is 95 and 89 respectively.

Samsung ST100 vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison

Samsung ST100 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizing only by looking at a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the ST100 and NEX-3.

Clearly, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact MP but different sensor sizing. The ST100 offers the tinier sensor which is going to make getting bokeh more challenging.

Samsung ST100 vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison

Samsung ST100 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung ST100 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung ST100 Portrait photography factors
Sony NEX-3 Portrait photography factors
33
MP count decent (14MP)
supports face detection focusing
no manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
72
you can focus manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung ST100
Street photography with Sony NEX-3
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers focus by touch
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
heavier than competition (155 grams)
76
screen tilts
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung ST100
Sports photography with Sony NEX-3
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
low max shutter speed (1/1,000s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
52
MP count good (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
no image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Samsung ST100 Travel photography information
Sony NEX-3 Travel photography information
60
offers focus by touch
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (155g)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.6)
59
MP count good (14 megapixels)
missing Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung ST100 Landscape photography information
Sony NEX-3 Landscape photography information
37
lovely big screen (3.5 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.6)
no manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
68
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
MP count good (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung ST100 Vlogging features
Sony NEX-3 Vlogging features
29
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.6)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic socket
heavier than competition (155g)
27
features face detection focusing
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone jack
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Samsung ST100 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung ST100 and Sony NEX-3
 Samsung ST100Sony Alpha NEX-3
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model Samsung ST100 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2010-01-06 2010-06-07
Body design Ultracompact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 35-175mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.6-4.8 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3.5 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,152 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed - 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.10 m 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 155 gr (0.34 lbs) 297 gr (0.65 lbs)
Dimensions 100 x 60 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 0.8") 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 68
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.1
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.0
DXO Low light score not tested 830
Other
Battery life - 330 photos
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage MicroSD/ MicroSDHC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $250 $0