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Samsung ST30 vs Sony a1

Portability
98
Imaging
32
Features
18
Overall
26
Samsung ST30 front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Samsung ST30 vs Sony a1 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
  • Released January 2011
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Raise to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Revealed January 2021
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Samsung ST30 vs Sony a1 Overview

Its time to look a little more closely at the Samsung ST30 versus Sony a1, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Samsung and Sony. There exists a big gap between the resolutions of the ST30 (10MP) and a1 (50MP) and the ST30 (1/3") and a1 (Full frame) feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The ST30 was unveiled 11 years before the a1 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Samsung ST30 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a full comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the ST30 scores against the a1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung ST30 over the Sony a1

 ST30 a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Samsung ST30

 a1 ST30 
RevealedJanuary 2021January 2011More modern by 122 months
Focus manually More exact focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k460kSharper display (+980k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Samsung ST30 and Sony a1

 ST30 a1 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Samsung ST30 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera, you have to consider its weight and volume. The Samsung ST30 has got external dimensions of 82mm x 52mm x 17mm (3.2" x 2.0" x 0.7") having a weight of 87 grams (0.19 lbs) while the Sony a1 has sizing of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Examine the Samsung ST30 versus Sony a1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the ST30 and the a1.

Samsung ST30 vs Sony a1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ST30 and a1 is 98 and 61 respectively.

Samsung ST30 vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Samsung ST30 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes only by reading specifications. The image below might give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ST30 and a1.

Plainly, both of those cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The ST30 having a tinier sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult and the Sony a1 will offer extra detail having an extra 40 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged ST30 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Samsung ST30 vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Samsung ST30 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung ST30 vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung ST30
Portrait photography with Sony a1
19
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
MP count low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/3")
lack of RAW files
88
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/400s)
megapixel count high (50MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung ST30 as a Street photography camera
Sony a1 as a Street photography camera
54
lighter than average (87 grams)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/3")
lack of RAW files
low maximum ISO (0)
79
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW files
features focus by touch
environment sealing
above average ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Samsung ST30 Sports photography information
Sony a1 Sports photography information
16
focal length is fixed (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/3")
lack of phase detect AF
90
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
max frames per second high (30.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count high (50 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment sealing
good battery pack (530 shots)
supports phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung ST30 Travel photography information
Sony a1 Travel photography information
65
lighter than average (87 grams)
built-in flash
very good maximum aperture (f)
no Timelapse recording
MP count low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
73
good battery pack (530 CIPA)
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
features focus by touch
megapixel count high (50MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Samsung ST30 Landscape photography factors
Sony a1 Landscape photography factors
30
very good maximum aperture (f)
decent sized screen (3")
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/3")
low maximum ISO (0)
lack of RAW files
no Timelapse recording
88
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count high (50MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
above average ISO range (32,000)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
good battery pack (530 CIPA)
two card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung ST30 as a Vlogging camera
Sony a1 as a Vlogging camera
29
very good maximum aperture (f)
lighter than average (87 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
no microphone port
36
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection autofocus
video res high (7680 x 4320 pixels)
comes with external mic socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Samsung ST30 vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung ST30 and Sony a1
 Samsung ST30Sony Alpha a1
General Information
Make Samsung Sony
Model Samsung ST30 Sony Alpha a1
Type Ultracompact Pro Mirrorless
Released 2011-01-19 2021-01-26
Physical type Ultracompact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 4.8 x 3.6mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 17.3mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 50 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 8640 x 5760
Highest native ISO - 32000
Highest enhanced ISO - 102400
Lowest native ISO - 100
RAW images
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 759
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range () -
Number of lenses - 133
Focal length multiplier 7.5 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,437 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.9x
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Max silent shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shutter rate - 30.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash options - Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/400s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Highest video resolution 640x480 7680x4320
Video file format - XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 87g (0.19 lb) 737g (1.62 lb)
Dimensions 82 x 52 x 17mm (3.2" x 2.0" x 0.7") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 530 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FZ100
Self timer - Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type - Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Card slots Single 2
Launch cost $55 $6,498