Clicky

Samsung ST30 vs Sony A99

Portability
98
Imaging
32
Features
18
Overall
26
Samsung ST30 front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
69
Features
88
Overall
76

Samsung ST30 vs Sony A99 Key Specs

Samsung ST30
(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
Sony A99
(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  • Superseded the Sony A900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
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Samsung ST30 vs Sony A99 Overview

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.

Photography Glossary

The 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.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

        

Reasons to pick Samsung ST30 over the Sony A99

 ST30 A99 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Samsung ST30

 A99 ST30 
AnnouncedDecember 2012January 2011Fresher by 23 months
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1229k460kClearer display (+769k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Samsung ST30 and Sony A99

 ST30 A99 
Display size3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Samsung ST30 vs Sony A99 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the ST30 and A99 is 98 and 57 respectively.

Samsung ST30 vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

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.

Samsung ST30 vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Samsung ST30 vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung ST30 vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung ST30 Portrait photography details
Sony A99 Portrait photography details
19
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/3")
no RAW support
81
you can focus manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Samsung ST30 Street photography advice
Sony A99 Street photography advice
54
lighter than competition in class (87g)
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/3")
no RAW support
low maximum ISO (0)
75
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
very good ISO range (25,600)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Samsung ST30 Sports photography factors
Sony A99 Sports photography factors
16
fixed focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/3")
no phase detect auto focus
78
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
weather sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
bad battery life (500 CIPA)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Samsung ST30 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A99 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than competition in class (87 grams)
flash built-in
great max aperture (f)
missing Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
60
weather sealing
good resolution (24MP)
screen is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (500 CIPA)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Samsung ST30 Landscape photography features
Sony A99 Landscape photography features
30
great max aperture (f)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/3")
low maximum ISO (0)
no RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
74
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
has double storage slots
bad battery life (500 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung ST30 Vlogging highlights
Sony A99 Vlogging highlights
29
great max aperture (f)
lighter than competition in class (87g)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
missing microphone support
76
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external mic port
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Samsung ST30 vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung ST30 and Sony A99
 Samsung ST30Sony 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