Samsung ST100 vs Sony W290

Exploring Compact Imaging: A Detailed Comparison of the Samsung ST100 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290

In the evolving landscape of digital photography, compact cameras continue to hold appeal for a segment of users prioritizing portability without a steep learning curve. Despite the surge of smartphone imaging capabilities, dedicated ultracompact and small sensor camera models maintain a niche, offering optical zoom versatility, physical controls, and image quality optimizations tailored towards photographers seeking simplicity or secondary cameras. This article delivers an exhaustive comparative analysis of two such models released roughly a year apart: the Samsung ST100 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 (hereafter Sony W290). Both cameras target budget-conscious consumers requiring straightforward operability combined with moderate optical zooms. Our evaluation focuses on technical specifications, real-world usability, and practical advantages within various photography genres.

Design and Handling: Form Factor and Ergonomics Profiles

At a glance, the Samsung ST100 and Sony W290 present subtly different approaches to compactness and ergonomics. The ST100’s dimensions measure approximately 100 x 60 x 20 mm with a featherlight 155 grams, categorizing it firmly in the ultracompact segment. Conversely, the Sony W290, marginally smaller in width and height (98 x 57 x 23 mm) but thicker, weighs a scant 167 grams, denoting a compact classification, yet still eminently pocketable.

The Samsung incorporates a 3.5-inch fixed touchscreen with a resolution of 1152 pixels, affording direct interaction with menus and touch focus capabilities - a salient advantage in this class, providing faster focal adjustments and intuitive navigation. The Sony W290 lacks touchscreen input but compensates with traditional physical controls enabling manual focus - a rare feature among budget compacts, granting enhanced creative control for users comfortable with manual adjustments.

Top-view examination reveals the placement of shutter release, zoom lever, and mode dial preferences. Samsung’s interface opts for minimalism with touchscreen emphasis, while Sony maintains a more conventional, tactile interface. The ergonomic impact here is notable: Samsung favors rapid point-and-shoot workflow with touchscreen ease, whereas Sony’s design supports users valuing manual focus and dedicated button feedback.

Sensor and Image Quality: Technical Foundations Under Scrutiny

Both cameras share an identical sensor footprint: a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm, equating to a sensor area of approximately 28.07 mm². This sensor size is standard for compact cameras of this era, balancing cost and performance. However, differences surface in resolution and processor implementation. The ST100 sports a 14-megapixel sensor capable of producing images at 4320 x 3240 pixels, whereas the Sony W290 offers 12 megapixels with a maximum resolution of 4000 x 3000 pixels.

Notably, both cameras utilize analog-dominant CCD technology rather than CMOS, which, in practice, translates to respectable color fidelity but generally slower readout speeds and somewhat less effective noise management in low light relative to CMOS counterparts. Neither model supports RAW capture, limiting post-processing latitude significantly. The anti-aliasing filters present in both devices help mitigate moiré artifacts but at the expense of some fine detail sharpness.

The maximum native ISO is capped at 3200 in both models, but the image quality at high ISO settings remains constrained by sensor size and CCD architecture, resulting in pronounced noise and limited dynamic range. Neither camera benefits from state-of-the-art noise reduction algorithms or sensor-shift stabilization techniques; however, optical image stabilization is included in both.

Screen and Interface: Monitoring and Usability Parameters

A key distinction is the Samsung ST100’s generous 3.5-inch touchscreen panel with 1152-pixel horizontal resolution, enabling crisp live view and menu operation with direct finger input. Its touch interface fosters more agile subject tracking and focal point selection, a desirable trait especially in macro or action contexts where precision timing matters.

Conversely, the Sony’s 3-inch LCD screen features markedly lower resolution at 230 pixels, hindering fine detail discernment and menu readability. Absence of touch input mandates reliance on physical buttons for exposure adjustments and AF point selection - a slower process but potentially offering greater tactile confidence for experienced photographers.

Neither device includes an electronic viewfinder (EVF), which is typical for this category but does restrict shooting stability and visibility under intense ambient lighting conditions.

Optics and Focusing: Zoom Range, Aperture, and AF Systems

Optical zoom and aperture ranges are central in deciding which compact suits various photographic scenarios. The Samsung ST100’s 35-175 mm equivalent focal length encompasses a 5x zoom range, comparable to that of the Sony W290’s 28-140 mm (5x zoom). The Sony’s slightly wider starting focal length provides better coverage for landscapes and interiors, while Samsung’s slightly longer telephoto reach benefits portrait and distant subject capture.

Max apertures vary subtly: Samsung’s lens has an f/3.6 to f/4.8 range, marginally brighter than the Sony’s f/3.3 to f/5.2 at the tele end. This translates to some incremental advantage in low light or when shallow depth of field is desired at longer focal lengths.

Macro focusing distance favors the Samsung ST100 with a close limit of 5 cm compared to Sony’s 10 cm, enabling more immersive near-subject shots with greater detail and background compression. The ST100’s macro capability is an asset for flora, small objects, and artistic close-ups in casual use.

Autofocus systems employ contrast detection exclusively, typical for CCD sensor compacts, lacking phase detection or hybrid AF enhancements. Samsung offers face detection autofocus, absent on the Sony, which may streamline portrait workflows but remains dependent on good lighting and subject contrast. Sony’s inclusion of manual focus mode offers an alternative for deliberate focusing needs, absent on Samsung.

Both cameras provide center-weighted metering, spot metering, and multisegment (evaluative) metering modes, with neither supporting exposure compensation or priority exposure modes, limiting exposure control granularity.

Shooting Dynamics: Shutter Speeds, Burst Rates, and Flash Performance

Samsung’s shutter speed range extends from 8 seconds at the long exposure end to 1/1000 second maximum, while Sony offers a broader maximum shutter speed up to 1/1600 second and a minimum exposure time as long as 2 seconds. The longer maximum shutter duration on Samsung benefits low-light or night shooting situations despite lack of dedicated bulb mode; Sony’s faster shutter allows better capture of fast motion, albeit marginally.

Continuous shooting speeds differ markedly: Sony’s modest 2 frames per second burst mode contrasts with Samsung’s absence of specified continuous shooting capability. This limits the Samsung for action or wildlife sequences requiring fast frame acquisition.

Both cameras feature built-in flashes with ranges of approximately 3.1 m (Samsung) and 3.9 m (Sony). Flash modes overlap, including auto, on, off, red-eye reduction, and slow sync options. None accept external flash units or support high-speed sync, constraining control for professional flash setups.

Video Capabilities: Real-World Capture and Output

Both cameras record HD video at 1280 x 720 pixels at 30fps, with Sony additionally offering 640 x 480 and 320 x 240 resolutions. Video formats differ: Samsung employs Motion JPEG, resulting in relatively large files, while Sony uses MPEG-4 compression offering greater storage efficiency. Neither camera supports 4K or advanced video features like microphone input, headphone output, or advanced image stabilization for video, reflective of their consumer-centric designs.

Video quality under moderate lighting is adequate but generally soft with limited dynamic range and noisiness in low light. The lack of manual exposure adjustments or focus during video limits creative videography.

Battery Life and Storage: Endurance and Expandability

Neither camera specifies official battery life ratings or included battery types, a frustrating omission that inhibits comprehensive endurance assessment. Both use proprietary lithium-ion batteries compatible with their respective ecosystems, with typical user reports suggesting moderate shooting session viability common for compact cameras (~200-300 shots per charge under mixed use).

Storage is managed via single slots supporting different card formats: Samsung uses MicroSD/MicroSDHC, a widely available and compact solution; Sony employs Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo media, a proprietary format often criticized for higher cost and limited compatibility.

Connectivity and Extras: Interface and Wireless Features

Both models lack Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS functionalities, reducing their capability for modern workflows requiring immediate image transfer or geotagging. HDMI outputs are present, facilitating direct viewing on compatible displays.

Neither supports RAW image capture or advanced bracketing modes (exposure or white balance), constraining professional workflows or extensive post-processing flexibility.

Real-World Applications Across Photography Genres

Samsung ST100 screen back Sony W290 front Sony W290 screen back

Portrait Photography

The Samsung ST100’s face detection autofocus system provides a practical advantage for capturing natural skin tones and maintaining sharp focus on eyes, an essential factor in casual portraiture. The wider aperture at mid-zoom focal lengths, combined with slightly longer telephoto reach, allows for flatter facial perspectives and better subject-background separation. However, depth-of-field control remains limited due to small sensor size and the modest maximum apertures.

The Sony W290 lacks face detection but offers manual focus, which can improve control over focal planes when shooting portraits in controlled environments. However, the narrower maximum apertures and less telephoto reach slightly diminish its portrait performance.

Bokeh quality is intrinsically constrained by the small sensor size in both units, producing limited background blur regardless of aperture; thus, neither is truly capable for professional portraiture but suitable for casual snapshots.

Landscape Photography

Sony’s wider 28mm equivalent wide-angle starting focal length benefits expansive scenes or architectural interiors, offering greater compositional flexibility than Samsung’s 35mm minimum. However, the Sony’s lower screen resolution hinders precise framing in bright conditions.

Neither camera offers weather sealing or ruggedized construction, limiting use in harsh outdoor environments. Their CCD sensors capture reasonable color depth but display limited dynamic range, making challenging lighting scenarios difficult without post-processing.

Resolution difference marginally favors Samsung’s 14-megapixel sensor, potentially enabling greater print sizes or cropping latitude for landscapes.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Neither camera excels here due to lack of fast autofocus tracking, slow continuous shooting speeds (Samsung lacking burst mode entirely), or comprehensive manual controls. Sony’s 2 fps burst and manual focus offer slight flexibility, but neither provides advanced AF capabilities such as animal eye detection or phase-detection autofocus, critical for capturing elusive or fast-moving wildlife or athletes.

Telephoto zoom reaches are adequate but limited by small apertures and sensor noise in low light, further hampering image quality under typical wildlife or sports conditions.

Street Photography

Samsung’s compact dimensions and touchscreen interface promote rapid operation and discrete framing, while Sony’s tactile controls support precise parameter adjustments without diverting gaze.

Absence of viewfinders on both cameras necessitates LCD framing, possibly compromising usability under bright daylight. Small sensor size contributes to generous depth of field - a desirable trait for spontaneous street shooting, offering forgiving focus tolerances.

Low-light capability is mediocre on both, complicating nocturnal urban shooting.

Macro Photography

Samsung’s closer minimum focusing distance (5 cm) surpasses Sony’s 10 cm, enabling more detailed close-up shots with less working distance. This, combined with touchscreen focus point selection, aids precision framing in macro contexts but does not rival dedicated macro lenses or larger-sensor cameras.

Optical image stabilization helps mitigate handshake, but limited sensor resolution and absence of focus bracketing or stacking restrict the achievable depth and detail fidelity in imagery.

Night and Astrophotography

Both cameras’ maximum shutter speeds and high ISO performance are insufficient for astrophotography or extended night exposure work. Samsung can reach 8 seconds, Sony 2 seconds minimum - insufficient for star trails or moon photography. Lack of bulb mode, manual exposure controls, or noise reduction exacerbates limitations. High noise levels at ISO 3200 further impair usability in these genres.

Video Recording

While both accommodate 720p HD video, recordings suffer from limited dynamic range, lack of advanced stabilization, and noisy low light video performance. The Sony’s MPEG-4 encoding is more storage efficient compared to Samsung’s Motion JPEG. Neither offers manual video controls or mic input, informing their roles as casual video shooters rather than serious videography tools.

Build Quality, Reliability, and Professional Suitability

Neither the Samsung ST100 nor Sony W290 offers weather sealing, robust environmental protection, or rugged construction required for professional fieldwork. Build quality is typical of consumer compacts - light plastic bodies with modest durability.

Neither supports RAW image files, seriously constraining post-capture flexibility for color grading or correction, which limits their use in professional workflows demanding high fidelity and dynamic range. Their proprietary file formats (JPEG), minimal manual exposure control, and meager connectivity options also hinder integration with advanced tethering or multi-camera studio environments.

For professional photographers, these cameras might serve as secondary backup units or for casual snapshots but should not be relied upon as primary tools.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

The fixed lenses on both cameras limit optical flexibility but deliver compactness and convenience. There is no chance for lens interchangeability; thus, users must accept the built-in zoom performance.

Samsung’s lens delivers slightly longer telephoto reach, and its faster aperture at the tele end is advantageous, whereas Sony provides a wider wide-angle starting focal length and manual focus control - valuable for users prioritizing specific focal ranges or focusing practices.

Battery, Storage, and Workflow Considerations

Absence of official battery life figures necessitates user vigilance. Both rely on manufacturer-specific lithium-ion batteries, with comparable but not exceptional longevity.

Storage type merits consideration: Samsung’s use of MicroSD cards benefits users with broader media compatibility and lower costs. Sony’s employment of Memory Stick Duo types imposes proprietary constraints and increased expense for media acquisition and replacement.

Data transfer speeds are standard USB 2.0 in both, suitable for casual offloading but slow compared to modern USB 3.x or wireless transfers.

Final Recommendations: Matching Cameras to User Needs and Budgets

• Casual Everyday Photography and Travel: Samsung ST100’s larger touchscreen, superior resolution, and macro abilities make it a reasonable choice for casual travelers or snapshooters seeking simple operation and moderate zoom reach. Lightweight and pocketable design also facilitates unencumbered travel photography with occasional portraits or close-ups.

• Users Prioritizing Manual Control and Budget Constraints: Sony W290’s manual focus capability and wider 28mm angle suit compact camera users experimenting with photographic technique or requiring wider scene capture. The physical controls, albeit dated, favor photographers who dislike touchscreen input.

• Portrait Enthusiasts: Samsung’s face detection autofocus and longer telephoto reach provide smoother workflows for novice portraits, although neither model is optimal for professional-grade results.

• Landscape Photographers: Sony’s wider starting focal length and solid megapixel count, combined with manual focus, better accommodate landscape framing and precise focus requirements.

• Video Hobbyists: Both cameras offer decent 720p capture but lack advanced functionality. Sony’s more efficient compression may offer slightly better storage practicality.

• Advanced and Professional Users: Neither camera meets the technical and operational benchmarks necessary for professional or serious enthusiast use, notably due to limited manual exposure controls, lack of RAW support, modest sensor performance, and absent weather sealing.

In conclusion, the Samsung ST100 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 occupy overlapping niches within the budget-oriented ultracompact/small sensor camera domain, each with distinct strengths aligned to specific user priorities. Buyers valuing touchscreen interactivity, higher resolution, and macro capabilities gravitate towards the Samsung ST100. Meanwhile, those placing premium on manual focus and slightly wider focal range will find the Sony W290 more palatable. Neither unit suits demanding professional applications but remain viable alternatives for casual users, travel snapshots, and learners requiring simple camera operation combined with optical zoom versatility.

The appended performance tables and image galleries provide further empirical reference points, derived from controlled testing settings and diverse shooting scenarios, affording prospective buyers a grounded, detailed foundation for informed camera selection.

Samsung ST100 screen back Sony W290 front Sony W290 screen back