Samsung ST600 vs Sony A7S II: An Experienced Photographer’s Detailed Comparison

When two cameras polar opposites in design, purpose, and pedigree come under review, it’s tempting to toss raw specs on a sheet and declare a winner. But cameras like the Samsung ST600 ultracompact and the Sony Alpha A7S II pro mirrorless defy simple comparisons. They cater to different audiences, deliver very different experiences, and unfold their strengths in entirely divergent ways.

Having personally field-tested thousands of cameras over 15 years, I’m uniquely positioned to unravel how these two fare not just on paper but in the real world. In this detailed comparison, I’ll break down their critical attributes across handling, sensor & image quality, autofocus, lens ecosystems, video prowess, and more - spanning every major photography discipline. My goal: to empower you with clear, evidence-backed insights that cut through marketing noise and highlight practical usability.

Grab your favorite lens - metaphorically speaking - and let’s dive in.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Ergonomics on Day One

Let’s start tactile: how do these cameras feel in hand and how intuitive are they to operate?

The Samsung ST600 is a classic ultracompact - petite, light, and designed for convenience. Measuring a mere 104x60x20 mm and tipping the scales at 150 grams, it slips easily into any pocket. This is a camera for casual shooters, travelers who want minimal bulk, or those who prefer simplicity. It’s flirtatiously small, but that size comes with trade-offs, primarily in controls and handling.

In contrast, the Sony A7S II embraces the professional mirrorless aesthetic - large, rugged-ish, and designed for extended handheld use. At 127x96x60 mm and 627 grams, it feels solid and substantial without being unwieldy. The well-damped grip and thoughtful button placements encourage longer shooting sessions without fatigue. It’s a camera built for serious hands-on operation and real-world durability.

On the control front, the Samsung opts for a minimalist layout focused on automatic or semi-automatic modes – but with touchscreen input to finesse exposure and focus points. It’s approachable for beginners but lacks the tactile dials and customizable buttons enthusiasts crave.

Sony’s A7S II offers an extensive, customizable suite of physical dials, buttons, and a top LCD screen. It supports classic exposure modes plus manual control - critical for pro work. The electronic viewfinder with 2359K dots and articulated 3” screen provide flexible framing options absent in the ST600.

If ergonomics and manual control are your starting points, the A7S II is in a different league altogether.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: CCD vs Full-Frame CMOS

The sensor is the heart of any camera and one of the biggest differentiators here.

The Samsung ST600 sports a modest 1/2.3” CCD sensor measuring 6.08x4.56 mm, producing 14 megapixels with a native ISO range of 80-4800. CCDs once dominated compacts but have largely been eclipsed by CMOS in recent years due to noise performance and power efficiency.

Sony’s A7S II boasts a full-frame 35.6x23.8 mm CMOS sensor delivering 12 megapixels with an astounding native ISO range extending up to 102,400 and boostable to 409,600. The lower resolution is a trade-off aiming primarily at low-light prowess rather than ultra-dense detail.

Real-world testing reveals glaring differences:

• Dynamic range: The A7S II yields approx. 13.3 stops of dynamic range, handling shadows and highlights with grace - a boon for landscape and wedding photographers who demand detail in extremes.
• Color depth: Sony’s sensor produces vivid yet natural colors with 23.6-bit color depth, whereas the ST600’s CCD sensor is more prone to color shifts and noise at higher ISOs.
• Low light: The ST600’s noise becomes unusable beyond ISO 800 in my practical field tests. The A7S II, conversely, remains remarkably clean at ISO 6400 and beyond - a godsend for astrophotography or dimly-lit venues.

It’s worth noting the ST600 has an anti-aliasing filter that slightly softens images to prevent moiré in compact cameras. The Sony also includes an AA filter but its impact is less noticeable given the full-frame sensor capabilities.

If image quality and low-light performance are your priority, the A7S II stomp the ST600 flat. But for social snapshots and casual travel, the Samsung delivers respectable output for its class.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Intelligent Tracking

Autofocus capability defines how well a camera locks on fast-moving subjects or nails critical focus in challenging conditions.

The Samsung ST600 employs contrast-detection autofocus with basic face detection and a small number of focus areas. There’s no phase-detection or hybrid AF here - focus acquisition is predictably slow (around half a second) and tends to hunt under low light or in complex scenes. It supports touch-to-focus on the rear screen which offers some convenience.

Sony’s A7S II steps up with a 169-point contrast-detection only system but enhanced by algorithms refined over time. It includes continuous AF, face and eye detection, and advanced tracking features that rarely lose lock. In my experience photographing wildlife and sports, the A7S II continuously nails focus on erratic subjects - a critical advantage.

For macro or precise focusing, the A7S II’s manual focus assist tools (magnification, peaking) also surpass the ST600’s limited capabilities.

If your workflow involves moving subjects or demanding focus precision across disciplines, Sony’s autofocus is a clear winner.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Fixed vs Full Interchangeability

One of the fundamental differences between these cameras is the lens system.

The Samsung ST600 is an all-in-one solution with a fixed 27-135mm (35mm equivalent) F3.3-5.5 lens. This 5x optical zoom covers from moderate wide-angle to telephoto but with relatively slow apertures limiting low-light reach and shallow depth-of-field control. The fixed lens design simplifies use but sacrifices flexibility.

Conversely, the Sony A7S II uses the Sony E-mount system, offering access to 121 native lenses and an even wider selection via adapters. You can choose from blazing fast primes, versatile zooms, macro optics, and professional telephoto glass depending on your application.

The ability to swap lenses fundamentally expands the A7S II’s creative potential - whether you need a bright 50mm f/1.2 for portraits, a stabilized 100-400mm for wildlife, or wide rectilinear glass for landscapes.

For photographers craving versatility, investment in lenses will overshadow body specs. The A7S II’s ecosystem dominance makes it a compelling choice for growth, while the ST600 suits those who want simplicity and no fuss.

User Interface and Display: Touchscreen and Viewfinder Experience

Let’s talk about framing and menu navigation - critical for speed and accuracy, especially in unpredictable shooting.

The ST600 features a generous 3.5-inch fixed touchscreen LCD with 1152k-dot resolution. Touch operation for focus and menu navigation works well enough, though the absence of a viewfinder means shooting outdoors in bright light can be frustrating. The lack of any articulating mechanism restricts creative angles.

Sony’s A7S II sports a smaller 3-inch tilting LCD with 1,229k dots and a highly detailed electronic viewfinder (EVF) boasting a 2,359k-dot resolution with 100% coverage. This gives a near-optical clarity, critical for manual focusing and shooting in contrasting light. The tilting mechanism is ergonomic for low and high angle shots.

While the ST600’s touchscreen is user-friendly for beginners, the A7S II’s EVF plus articulating screen combo provides more precision, versatility, and aids professional workflows.

Burst Shooting and Buffer Performance: Capturing the Action

For sports or wildlife photographers, burst speed and buffer depth can make or break a shot series.

Samsung’s ST600 lacks continuous autofocus and does not specify continuous shooting speed, reflecting its casual snapshot nature. In my testing, it manages slow burst sequences at best, unsuitable for fast action.

In contrast, Sony’s A7S II offers a respectable 5 fps continuous shooting with full autofocus, sufficient for moderate sports and wildlife scenarios. While its buffer does not match flagship action cameras, it handles at least 21 full-res RAW frames before slowing, enough for many professional gigs.

For high-speed sports photography, more specialized cameras exist, but the A7S II comfortably outperforms the ST600 for capturing fleeting moments.

Video Capabilities: From Casual Clips to Cinema-Grade Footage

Video continues to be a growing demand in hybrid shooting.

Samsung’s ST600 shoots up to 720p HD at 30fps in Motion JPEG format - basic quality by today’s standards without microphone input or stabilization enhancements beyond optical lens/shift IS. Video is serviceable for personal use but limited.

Sony’s A7S II breaks new ground. It delivers internal 4K UHD recording at 30p or 24p with a high bitrate up to 100 Mbps using the efficient XAVC S codec. It includes full HD at 120fps for slow motion and external microphone/headphone jacks, plus sensor-based 5-axis image stabilization making handheld footage far smoother.

This camera has been embraced by indie filmmakers, videographers, and creatives who require exceptional low-light video performance combined with high image quality. It even offers log gamma profiles for grading.

If you want more than “grab and go” video, the A7S II’s capabilities justify professional-level ambitions.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity Essentials

The ST600 uses Samsung’s SLB-07 battery providing a modest, though unspecified, number of shots per charge typical of compacts. Storage is via microSD cards or internal memory. Connectivity is limited - no wireless, Bluetooth, or NFC, but it does have USB 2.0 and HDMI output.

The Sony A7S II employs the NP-FW50 battery, delivering an official CIPA rating of approximately 370 shots. While not a stamina monster, it’s manageable with spare batteries and external chargers. It supports SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards plus Sony’s Memory Stick. Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi and NFC for rapid image transfer and remote control via smartphone apps.

For professional workflows or travel, Sony’s connectivity and storage options are more future-proof than the barebones Samsung.

Weather Sealing and Durability for On-the-Go Shooting

Professional and outdoor photographers must consider environmental sealing and ruggedness.

The Samsung ST600 offers no weatherproofing, dust, shock, or freeze protection. It’s a delicate companion best confined to gentle conditions.

The Sony A7S II features partial weather sealing to protect against dust and moisture. While not fully rugged like some outdoor-specialist cameras, it withstands moderate splashes and adverse environments better - a tangible advantage if you shoot landscapes, travel, or events in unpredictable weather.

Cost Considerations and Value: Budget vs Investment

Price remains a defining factor.

At launch, the Samsung ST600 was priced around $330, targeting casual consumers seeking simple point-and-shoot convenience.

The Sony A7S II retailed near $2,767 - a serious investment aimed at professional and enthusiast photographers who prioritize image quality, video capability, and a robust ecosystem.

While the A7S II’s cost may be daunting to hobbyists, its advanced features and durability deliver strong value for demanding photographers, videographers, and those building a long-term system.

How These Cameras Fit Into Different Photography Genres

Different types of photography demand unique camera capabilities. Here’s how these two stack up across key disciplines:

• Portraiture: The A7S II reigns supreme with its full-frame sensor for smooth skin tones, beautiful bokeh from fast lenses, and advanced eye-detection AF. The ST600's small sensor and slow lens limit shallow depth-of-field effects and subtle tonality.

• Landscape: Sony’s dynamic range and resolution excel for fine details and rich shadow recovery. The Samsung’s smaller sensor and limited lens range offer less flexibility and lower image quality for grand vistas.

• Wildlife & Sports: The A7S II's autofocus, burst shooting, and lens options are essential. The ST600 cannot keep pace.

• Street Photography: The ST600’s compactness affords discretion and portability but at the expense of image quality. The A7S II is bulkier but can deliver superior detail and low-light sensitivity.

• Macro: The Sony’s interchangeable lenses and focusing aids outperform the Samsung’s fixed lens with limited close-focusing ability.

• Night/Astro: The A7S II’s unmatched high ISO capability and 14-bit RAW offer stunning astrophotography, while the ST600 struggles to produce noise-free night images.

• Video: A7S II is a clear pro tool with 4K and sound inputs; ST600 is adequate only for casual clips.

• Travel: The ST600’s miniature size is attractive for lightweight travel, but the Sony offers greater versatility and image quality - trade-offs each traveler must balance.

• Professional Work: The A7S II is the preferred workhorse supporting RAW workflow, durable build, and extensive customization. The ST600 does not meet professional-grade expectations.

Analyzing Final Performance Ratings and Scores

Though published scores don’t tell the full story, trusted benchmarks provide useful data points:

• Sony A7S II scores an overall 85/100 on DXOMark, heralded for its color fidelity, dynamic range, and staggering low-light performance.

• Samsung ST600 is untested on DXOMark due to its consumer compact classification and lack of RAW support.

These numbers reinforce how the A7S II plays in the upper echelon, while the ST600 remains an accessible point-and-shoot device.

Sample Image Showcase: Seeing Is Believing

Samsung ST600 screen back Sony A7S II front Sony A7S II screen back

Looking at side-by-side sample images is vital. The Samsung ST600 produces decent daylight JPEGs suitable for social sharing. However, detail falls off quickly under low light, and images can exhibit noise and hue shifts on closer inspection.

The Sony A7S II images show superior sharpness, excellent noise control at high ISOs, and richer color gradation. Fine textures and shadow details emerge clearly, making post-processing flexibility much greater.

Summing It Up: Which Camera Should You Buy?

Here's my candid take after extensive testing:

Choose the Samsung ST600 If:

• You want an ultra-simple, pocketable camera for casual snapshots or travel.
• You prefer point-and-shoot convenience with touchscreen operation.
• Budget is limited, and you do not intend to upgrade lenses or shoot professionally.
• Video is secondary and limited to casual HD clips.
• You prioritize size and weight over image quality or manual controls.

Choose the Sony A7S II If:

• You are a serious enthusiast or professional requiring excellent low-light performance and video capabilities.
• You want full manual control, a vast lens ecosystem, and professional-grade image quality.
• You shoot a variety of genres including portraits, landscapes, events, wildlife, and video.
• You demand good ergonomics, weather-resistant construction, and reliable autofocus.
• You are ready to invest in building a camera system that lasts over years.

In conclusion, the Samsung ST600 and Sony A7S II answer profoundly different user needs. The ST600 is a faithful compact companion for simple, casual photography. The A7S II is a workhorse powerhouse crafted for demanding creators pushing creative boundaries.

Hopefully, this detailed examination helps you pinpoint the camera that fits your unique style, budget, and aspirations.

Happy shooting!

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