Samsung ST30 vs Sony A99
98 Imaging
32 Features
18 Overall
26
57 Imaging
69 Features
88 Overall
76
Samsung ST30 vs Sony A99 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 0 - 0
- 640 x 480 video
- ()mm (F) lens
- 87g - 82 x 52 x 17mm
- Revealed January 2011
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
- Announced December 2012
- Superseded the Sony A900
- Replacement is Sony A99 II
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Lets take a closer look at the Samsung ST30 and Sony A99, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Samsung and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the ST30 (10MP) and A99 (24MP) and the ST30 (1/3") and A99 (Full frame) posses totally different sensor dimensions.
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe ST30 was launched 23 months before the A99 making them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras feature different body design with the Samsung ST30 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A99 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before delving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the ST30 matches up versus the A99 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Samsung ST30 & Sony SLT-A99. The complete galleries are viewable at Samsung ST30 Gallery & Sony A99 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Samsung ST30 over the Sony A99
| ST30 | A99 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Samsung ST30
| A99 | ST30 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | December 2012 | January 2011 | Fresher by 23 months | |
| Manually focus | Dial exact focusing | |||
| Display type | Fully Articulated | Fixed | Fully Articulating display | |
| Display resolution | 1229k | 460k | Clearer display (+769k dot) | |
| Selfie screen | Take selfies |
Common features in the Samsung ST30 and Sony A99
| ST30 | A99 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display size | 3" | 3" | Same display sizing | |
| Touch friendly display | Neither has Touch friendly display |
Samsung ST30 vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to carry your camera, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Samsung ST30 has physical measurements of 82mm x 52mm x 17mm (3.2" x 2.0" x 0.7") having a weight of 87 grams (0.19 lbs) whilst the Sony A99 has dimensions of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") having a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).
See the Samsung ST30 and Sony A99 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using at the time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the ST30 against the A99.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the ST30 and A99 is 98 and 57 respectively.
Samsung ST30 vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it's difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizing merely by seeing specs. The photograph underneath might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the ST30 and A99.
As you can plainly see, both cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The ST30 due to its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF tougher and the Sony A99 will provide greater detail utilizing its extra 14MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics way more aggressively. The older ST30 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.
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Samsung ST30 vs Sony A99 Specifications
| Samsung ST30 | Sony SLT-A99 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Samsung | Sony |
| Model type | Samsung ST30 | Sony SLT-A99 |
| Category | Ultracompact | Advanced DSLR |
| Revealed | 2011-01-19 | 2012-12-12 |
| Body design | Ultracompact | Mid-size SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | - | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/3" | Full frame |
| Sensor dimensions | 4.8 x 3.6mm | 35.8 x 23.8mm |
| Sensor area | 17.3mm² | 852.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 6000 x 4000 |
| Highest native ISO | - | 25600 |
| Min native ISO | - | 100 |
| RAW files | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect focus | ||
| Contract detect focus | ||
| Phase detect focus | ||
| Total focus points | - | 19 |
| Cross type focus points | - | 11 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Lens zoom range | () | - |
| Amount of lenses | - | 143 |
| Crop factor | 7.5 | 1 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of display | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
| Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of display | 460 thousand dot | 1,229 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch display | ||
| Display technology | - | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,359 thousand dot |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.71x |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 8s | 30s |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/8000s |
| Continuous shutter speed | - | 10.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash distance | - | no built-in flash |
| Flash options | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| External flash | ||
| AEB | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash sync | - | 1/250s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 640 x 480 | 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
| Video format | - | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
| Mic jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | none | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | BuiltIn |
| Physical | ||
| Environment seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 87 gr (0.19 lb) | 812 gr (1.79 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 82 x 52 x 17mm (3.2" x 2.0" x 0.7") | 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | not tested | 89 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 25.0 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 14.0 |
| DXO Low light rating | not tested | 1555 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | - | 500 photos |
| Battery form | - | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | - | NP-FM500H |
| Self timer | - | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage media | - | Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC |
| Storage slots | Single | Two |
| Price at release | $55 | $1,998 |