Clicky

Samsung ST30 vs Sony a3500

Portability
98
Imaging
32
Features
18
Overall
26
Samsung ST30 front
 
Sony Alpha a3500 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
54
Overall
59

Samsung ST30 vs Sony a3500 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
  • Revealed January 2011
Sony a3500
(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
  • Revealed March 2014
  • Superseded the Sony A3000
Photography Glossary

Samsung ST30 vs Sony a3500 Overview

In this write-up, we are looking at the Samsung ST30 and Sony a3500, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Samsung and Sony. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the ST30 (10MP) and a3500 (20MP) and the ST30 (1/3") and a3500 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor dimensions.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The ST30 was brought out 4 years before the a3500 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Samsung ST30 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony a3500 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going through a full comparison, below is a concise summation of how the ST30 matches up vs the a3500 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images
	
	

Reasons to pick Samsung ST30 over the Sony a3500

 ST30 a3500 
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony a3500 over the Samsung ST30

 a3500 ST30 
RevealedMarch 2014January 2011Newer by 38 months
Manual focus Very precise focusing

Common features in the Samsung ST30 and Sony a3500

 ST30 a3500 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Samsung ST30 vs Sony a3500 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera often, you'll need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Samsung ST30 provides physical measurements of 82mm x 52mm x 17mm (3.2" x 2.0" x 0.7") and a weight of 87 grams (0.19 lbs) and the Sony a3500 has proportions of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).

Compare the Samsung ST30 and Sony a3500 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use at the time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the ST30 and the a3500.

Samsung ST30 vs Sony a3500 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the ST30 and a3500 is 98 and 69 respectively.

Samsung ST30 vs Sony a3500 top view buttons comparison

Samsung ST30 vs Sony a3500 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions only by going over specs. The picture here should offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the ST30 and a3500.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The ST30 because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF trickier and the Sony a3500 will deliver extra detail having its extra 10MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged ST30 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Samsung ST30 vs Sony a3500 sensor size comparison

Samsung ST30 vs Sony a3500 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung ST30 vs Sony a3500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung ST30 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony a3500 as a Portrait photography camera
19
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
low megapixels (10MP)
very small sensor (1/3")
doesn't have RAW files
77
you can focus manually
decent MP (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW files
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Samsung ST30 Street photography factors
Sony a3500 Street photography factors
54
lighter than competition in class (87g)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/3")
doesn't have RAW files
low max ISO (0)
57
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (411 grams)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Samsung ST30 Sports photography details
Sony a3500 Sports photography details
16
focal length is fixed (()mm)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
60
decent MP (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
good battery pack (470 per charge)
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect AF
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Samsung ST30
Travel photography with Sony a3500
65
lighter than competition in class (87g)
flash built-in
fast max aperture (f)
does not have Timelapse function
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
60
good battery pack (470 shots)
decent MP (20MP)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than average in class (411 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Landscape Comparison

Samsung ST30 Landscape photography information
Sony a3500 Landscape photography information
30
fast max aperture (f)
screen is a good size (3")
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/3")
low max ISO (0)
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
70
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
decent MP (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (470 shots)
does not have image stabilization
lack of Timelapse mode
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung ST30
Vlogging with Sony a3500
29
fast max aperture (f)
lighter than competition in class (87g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have external microphone socket
26
provides face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
lack of microphone jack
more heavy than average in class (411g)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Samsung ST30 vs Sony a3500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung ST30 and Sony a3500
 Samsung ST30Sony Alpha a3500
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model Samsung ST30 Sony Alpha a3500
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-01-19 2014-03-21
Body design Ultracompact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - 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 10 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 5456 x 3632
Max native ISO - 16000
Minimum native ISO - 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range () -
Available lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 7.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.47x
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed - 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash settings - Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format - AVCHD, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 87 gr (0.19 lbs) 411 gr (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 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 - 470 pictures
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer - Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay)
Time lapse shooting
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $55 $398