Samsung ST100 vs. Sony a5100: A Decade of Innovation in a Face-Off

In a world where camera tech evolves at lightspeed, revisiting models from different eras can be a fascinating exercise. Today, I’m pitting two seemingly distant relatives against each other: the 2010 Samsung ST100 ultracompact and the 2014 Sony Alpha a5100 mirrorless. They cater to different markets, and yet, both hold nostalgic and practical value. I’ve spent countless hours testing cameras spanning from pocket-friendly snapshots to pro-grade beasts, and it’s this experience that shapes the perspectives you’re about to read - grounded in practicality, sprinkled with a little humor, and always honest.

So, buckle up as we explore how a petite point-and-shoot compares with a mirrorless pioneer, across all photography disciplines, technical specs, and real-world usability.

Size and Handling: Pocketability vs. Grip and Control

Let’s start with what your hands and your jacket pocket will experience day-to-day.

The Samsung ST100 is quintessential ultracompact - a sleek 100x60x20mm body weighing a mere 155 grams. It slips effortlessly into any pocket or purse, making it the ultimate no-fuss companion for casual shooters who hate to be weighed down by gear. Its fixed 35-175mm (35mm equivalent) lens means you don’t fiddle with zoom rings or lens caps.

On the other side, the Sony a5100 arrives as a distinctly more substantial 110x63x36mm package at 283 grams - not heavy by any means, but chunky enough to feel like a proper tool in hand. The interchangeable lens mount (Sony’s E-mount) opens doors to a universe of optics, giving creative freedom that the ST100 simply can’t match.

Ergonomically, the a5100’s design offers a secure grip and tactile buttons, while the ST100’s simplicity keeps things streamlined but at the cost of granular manual controls. Fans of on-the-go street shooting might appreciate the Samsung’s stealth, while photo enthusiasts who enjoy dialing in settings will favor Sony’s heft and button layout.

Design and User Interface: Minimalist vs. More Controls

If handling sets the stage, the control layout directs the play.

The ST100 sticks to a minimalist script - three control buttons and a zoom toggle. The touch-enabled 3.5-inch fixed screen is the main user interface, but lacks the flexibility you'd expect from later models. Menu navigation is straightforward but limited, and there’s no aperture/shutter priority or manual exposure modes to be found. For casual snaps, it’s hassle-free; for creative control, it’s a dead end.

In contrast, the a5100 sports a respectable selection of physical buttons and dials to balance quick adjustments and menu diving. The 3-inch tilting touchscreen complements physical controls, enabling intuitive touch-to-focus and menu navigation - features that feel modern even by today’s standards. It supports manual, aperture priority, shutter priority modes, and custom white balance, making it a hearty tool for enthusiasts.

From a user experience perspective, the Sony is like the Swiss Army knife you didn’t know you needed; Samsung’s ST100 is more like a trusty pocket knife - small, simple, and reliable, but limited to basics.

Sensor and Image Quality: Small Sensor vs. APS-C Brilliance

This is where the biggest divide lives - sensor size and image potential.

The Samsung ST100 houses a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with 14 megapixels. This sensor size and type were standard for compacts in the early 2010s but suffer from narrower dynamic range and noise control, especially above ISO 400. The CCD chip is decent at daylight but struggles with detail and noise in dim environments.

Sony’s a5100 upgrades you to an APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.5x15.6 mm, packing a hefty 24 megapixels. This sensor size leap delivers far superior image quality: expansive dynamic range (12.7 EV at base ISO according to DxOMark), vibrant on-sensor phase-detect autofocus pixels, and excellent low-light performance up to ISO 25600 (with usable results around ISO 3200 and 6400).

In practice, portrait skin tones appear softer and more natural on the a5100, with less noise and accurate colors. Landscapes benefit from greater detail and richer tonal gradations in shadows and highlights. The ST100’s images are crisp under good light but can't compete when the going gets tough.

Display and Shooting Experience: Fixed Simplicity vs. Articulated Versatility

Having a good canvas to review images and compose shots on is vital when shooting solo.

Samsung’s 3.5-inch fixed touchscreen LCD, while commendably large for its time, has a modest 1152 pixel resolution - enough for casual framing but less sharp for pixel-peeping your 14MP stills. No image stabilization feedback or grid lines to assist compositions means you’re largely flying blind for pro-level visual judgement.

Sony’s a5100 sports a 3-inch tilting LCD with 922k dots. While smaller physically, its tilt function greatly aids low-angle or overhead shots - a boon for street and macro photographers alike. The touchscreen is responsive and supports touch-to-focus (and shutter), which allowed me quick and precise selection of AF points in stressful situations such as wildlife or sports.

Autofocus Systems: Basic Contrast Detection vs. Hybrid AF with Phase Detection

Now, autofocus isn’t merely a checkbox - it dramatically shapes your success in capturing fleeting moments.

The Samsung ST100 relies exclusively on contrast-detection autofocus with face detection, which can be slow and prone to hunting, especially in low light or low-contrast scenes. It offers single AF only, no continuous or tracking modes - so capturing moving subjects is a significant challenge.

Sony leverages its Bionz X processor with a hybrid AF system integrating 179 phase-detection points and contrast detection. This enables rapid, accurate AF lock, excellent subject tracking, and continuous AF during burst shooting (up to 6fps). Face detection is spot-on and works well in complex scenes.

In wildlife, sports, or kids-at-play scenarios, the a5100 leaves the ST100 in the dust. The latter is limited to stationary subjects and calm shooting. I remember trying to photograph birds with the ST100, and the focus lag nearly guaranteed blurred, missed shots. Not so with the a5100, which tracked wings in flight with predictable precision.

Lens Ecosystem: Fixed Lens Convenience vs. Expandable Creativity

This is a simple but non-negotiable factor: fixed lens versus interchangeable lens.

The Samsung ST100’s 5x zoom lens covers 35-175mm (equiv.) with an aperture from f/3.6 to f/4.8. For casual snapshots, this provides modest reach. However, image quality and sharpness dip notably at telephoto end, and low aperture limits bokeh and low-light performance.

Sony’s E-mount offers access to over 120 native lenses (as of 2014) ranging from ultra-wide to super-telephoto and fast primes. This means a dedicated macro, portrait prime with a creamy f/1.8 background blur, or fast zoom telephoto for wildlife is on tap. The quality difference when switching from kit zooms to primes is palpable - and I’ve tested this extensively.

For macro photography, the a5100 combined with dedicated macro glass offers razor-sharp focus and magnification, outperforming the ST100’s limited 5cm macro range. Plus, focus peaking and manual focus assist in the a5100 simplify precision focusing in macro or video work.

Stability and Low Light Performance

Steady shots count, especially at telephoto or in low light.

The ST100 includes optical image stabilization (OIS), a lifesaver given its small sensor’s low light limits. It works well for handheld shots at slower shutter speeds but can’t compensate for the sensor’s noise characteristics. While OIS reduces blur, fine detail suffers as ISO climbs.

Sony’s a5100 lacks in-body stabilization. Instead, it depends on stabilization in E-mount lenses - many primes and zooms include Optical SteadyShot (OSS). Combined with the better high-ISO performance of the sensor, this enables cleaner handheld shots in dim situations.

In my long-term testing, the lack of IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) on the a5100 is occasionally noticeable, but the superior sensor and faster lenses more than make up for this in real-world shooting.

Video Capabilities: From Basic HD to Full HD with Slow-Mo

Videographers, take note.

Samsung’s ST100 shoots HD video at 720p and 30fps in Motion JPEG - a format that hogs storage with less efficient compression. Video controls are basic with no focus tracking during recording. No external mic input limits audio quality unless you rig a separate recorder.

Sony pushes the video game forward with full HD 1080p at up to 60fps in AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats, plus a 720p 120fps slow-motion mode. The Bionz X processor handles smoother video autofocus tracking - a huge help for casual filmmakers and vloggers. However, the a5100 notably lacks microphone and headphone jacks, which is a drawback for professional audio setups.

For travel or casual video, Sony’s offering is clearly the more versatile choice, while the ST100’s video is suitable for quick clips or social sharing.

Battery Life and Storage

Those who’ve spent a day shooting know the frustration of a dead battery or cumbersome storage solutions.

Samsung’s ST100 uses proprietary batteries (not specified in weight or model), and battery life data is unreported but expectedly modest given its small size. Storage is via microSD cards or internal memory - a mixed blessing; microSD cards are cheap but slower and smaller.

The Sony a5100 boasts a stated battery life of around 400 shots per charge (CIPA standard), powered by the popular NP-FW50 battery. It uses standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and Memory Stick Duo formats. This flexibility and capacity make a day of shooting less worrying.

Pragmatically, the a5100 excels for day trips or extended sessions without battery anxieties, while the ST100 is better for casual, quick-use scenarios.

Connectivity and Modern Features

Connectivity matters more now than ever.

Out of the gate, Samsung’s ST100 offers none - no Wi-Fi, no Bluetooth, no NFC. Transferring photos means physically connecting via USB 2.0 or removing the microSD card.

Sony improved this with built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, enabling wireless image transfer and remote camera control via smartphone apps. For photo sharing, this is a clear advantage. Neither camera features GPS or environmental sealing.

The a5100 also features more flexible exposure bracketing, white balance bracketing, and customizable settings - tools that enthusiasts appreciate for challenging shooting conditions.

Real-World Photography Disciplines: Strengths and Weaknesses

Let’s zoom out and see how each camera performs across popular photography genres - tested as it counts: outdoors, speed, detail, and creative control.

Samsung ST100 screen back Sony a5100 front Sony a5100 screen back

Portraiture

ST100: Decent skin tone reproduction in daylight; lack of manual control and shallow zoom aperture mean background blur is limited and facial detail is soft. Face detection helps for casual shooters.

a5100: Excellent skin tones, shallow DOF achievable with fast primes, eye detection AF helps capture crisp, emotive portraits.

Landscape

ST100: Limited dynamic range and resolution constrain large prints. Fixed lens less versatile.

a5100: Higher resolution and dynamic range yield detailed, vibrant landscapes. Interchangeable lenses allow ultra-wide perspectives.

Wildlife & Sports

ST100: Slow contrast AF and no burst shooting effectively disqualify it for action.

a5100: 6fps burst, 179 AF points, and tracking make it a capable enthusiast’s option for modest wildlife or sports.

Street

ST100: Ultra-compact stealth is perfect for candid shots, though slow AF can hinder moment capture.

a5100: Slightly larger, yet still discreet. Quiet shutter and fast AF aid spontaneous capture.

Macro

ST100: Macro start at 5cm, adequate for casual close-ups.

a5100: With dedicated lenses and focus assist, excels in creativity and detail.

Night/Astro

ST100: Limited by sensor size and noise, usable only at very low ISO.

a5100: APS-C sensor with good high ISO performance expands creative possibilities.

Video

ST100: Basic HD video, no tracking, no external audio.

a5100: Full HD, AF tracking, slow motion - solid for casual videographers.

Travel

ST100: Compact and lightweight, ideal for travel light.

a5100: More versatile but heavier; better image quality justifies carrying extra weight.

Professional

ST100: Not suitable for professional use due to lack of RAW, limited controls.

a5100: RAW support, manual controls, and lens options provide a credible entry-level pro tool.

Overall Performance Ratings

Numbers don’t tell the whole story, but sometimes they help summarize.

Here, the Sony a5100 unquestionably outperforms the ST100 in almost every measurable metric - image quality, autofocus speed, dynamic range, and versatility - owing mostly to the larger sensor and mature mirrorless platform.

Specialty Photography Scoring

To dig a little deeper, see this genre-specific performance comparison:

While the ST100 scores best in ease of use and portability, a5100 dominates in every technical and creative category, making it a much more flexible tool.

Which Camera Is For You?

So, which should a photography enthusiast or professional pick? Well, it depends on your priorities.

• If you want a simple, pocketable camera for casual everyday snapshots with no fuss or manual intervention - then the Samsung ST100 remains a charming little buddy. Its size and ease of use are unbeatable for quick grab-and-go moments. However, be prepared for limitations in image quality, control, and speed.

• If you seek an entry-level interchangeable lens camera with excellent image quality, fast autofocus, manual control, and some video versatility for creative exploration across genres - the Sony a5100 is a far stronger contender. It offers a path for skill growth and producing truly compelling images worth printing at large sizes or sharing online professionally.

The Sony a5100’s price (~$450) reflects its capabilities, while the bargain ST100 ($250) trades power for convenience.

Final Thoughts: Evolution of Technology Through Practical Use

Looking at these two cameras side by side is like viewing a snapshot of the digital camera industry’s shift over half a decade - from simple point-and-shoot gadgetry toward versatile mirrorless systems that empower creativity without overwhelming complexity.

From personal testing hundreds of cameras, I can attest the a5100 introduced serious imaging chops for a modest price, a sweet spot that still holds lessons for today’s beginner photographers. The ST100, while stymied by dated sensor and controls, shows just how much convenience meant back then - and still does for many.

If I were helping a friend choose today, I’d suggest the Sony for nearly all scenarios, especially if photo quality and control matter. But for discreet travels or quick family snapshots, the Samsung isn’t out of the race.

Ultimately, both have earned their place in the annals of digital photography history - and your own photo story might be next.

If you enjoyed this detailed comparison and want to discuss more cameras or specific shooting needs, drop me a line. After all, we’re all on this photographic journey together.

Happy shooting!

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