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Samsung ST30 vs Sony A3000

Portability
98
Imaging
32
Features
18
Overall
26
Samsung ST30 front
 
Sony Alpha A3000 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
54
Overall
59

Samsung ST30 vs Sony A3000 Key Specs

Samsung ST30
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 0 - 0
  • 640 x 480 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • 87g - 82 x 52 x 17mm
  • Introduced January 2011
Sony A3000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
  • Introduced August 2013
  • Updated by Sony a3500
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Samsung ST30 vs Sony A3000 Overview

In this write-up, we are contrasting the Samsung ST30 versus Sony A3000, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Samsung and Sony. There is a large difference between the sensor resolutions of the ST30 (10MP) and A3000 (20MP) and the ST30 (1/3") and A3000 (APS-C) use different sensor sizing.

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The ST30 was introduced 3 years prior to the A3000 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Samsung ST30 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A3000 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the ST30 grades versus the A3000 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung ST30 over the Sony A3000

 ST30 A3000 
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A3000 over the Samsung ST30

 A3000 ST30 
IntroducedAugust 2013January 2011More modern by 31 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focus

Common features in the Samsung ST30 and Sony A3000

 ST30 A3000 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Samsung ST30 vs Sony A3000 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and size. The Samsung ST30 has got outer measurements of 82mm x 52mm x 17mm (3.2" x 2.0" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 87 grams (0.19 lbs) while the Sony A3000 has specifications of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).

See the Samsung ST30 versus Sony A3000 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the ST30 against the A3000.

Samsung ST30 vs Sony A3000 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the ST30 and A3000 is 98 and 69 respectively.

Samsung ST30 vs Sony A3000 top view buttons comparison

Samsung ST30 vs Sony A3000 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to picture the difference between sensor sizes purely by checking specs. The pic underneath may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the ST30 and A3000.

All in all, both of those cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The ST30 using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Sony A3000 will resolve extra detail using its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged ST30 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Samsung ST30 vs Sony A3000 sensor size comparison

Samsung ST30 vs Sony A3000 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung ST30 vs Sony A3000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung ST30 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A3000 as a Portrait photography camera
19
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/3")
doesn't have RAW files
77
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Samsung ST30 Street photography advice
Sony A3000 Street photography advice
54
lighter than competitors (87 grams)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/3")
doesn't have RAW files
low max ISO (0)
57
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than others in class (411 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Samsung ST30 Sports photography info
Sony A3000 Sports photography info
16
focal length is fixed (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
60
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
better than average battery pack (470 shots)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung ST30 Travel photography information
Sony A3000 Travel photography information
65
lighter than competitors (87g)
has built in flash
fast maximum aperture (f)
does not have Time Lapse mode
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
60
better than average battery pack (470 shots)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than others in class (411 grams)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung ST30 Landscape photography features
Sony A3000 Landscape photography features
30
fast maximum aperture (f)
screen is a good size (3")
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
no manual control
no image stabilization
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/3")
low max ISO (0)
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
70
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (470 shots)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung ST30 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A3000 as a Vlogging camera
29
fast maximum aperture (f)
lighter than competitors (87g)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
26
supports face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have microphone jack
more heavy than others in class (411g)
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Samsung ST30 vs Sony A3000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung ST30 and Sony A3000
 Samsung ST30Sony Alpha A3000
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung ST30 Sony Alpha A3000
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-01-19 2013-08-27
Body design Ultracompact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ image
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 4.8 x 3.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 17.3mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 5456 x 3632
Highest native ISO - 16000
Min native ISO - 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range () -
Total lenses - 121
Crop factor 7.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.47x
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash settings - Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format - AVCHD, H.264, MP4
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 87g (0.19 lbs) 411g (0.91 lbs)
Dimensions 82 x 52 x 17mm (3.2" x 2.0" x 0.7") 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 1068
Other
Battery life - 470 photographs
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer - Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay)
Time lapse shooting
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $55 $398