Samsung ST65 vs Sony S930

A Close Look at the Samsung ST65 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930: Compact Cameras Compared for Real-World Use

In the briskly evolving realm of compact digital cameras, features and performance often hinge on subtle distinctions rather than headline-grabbing specs. Today, I’m turning my analytical lens on two ultracompact and small sensor cameras from a decade past: the Samsung ST65 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930. Both picture-takers cater to casual enthusiasts and those seeking pocketable simplicity - but how do they compare when put through comprehensive field testing and technical scrutiny? Having logged hands-on time with countless cameras over the years, I approached both models with an eye for tangible user value, image quality, and handling finesse. Let’s delve into the details.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Build

Compact cameras often live or die by how they feel in hand and how intuitively their controls are laid out. The Samsung ST65, launched in early 2011, is a sleek ultracompact model measuring 92mm wide, 53mm tall, and just 17mm thick. In contrast, Sony’s DSC-S930, announced two years earlier in 2009, ups the bulk a bit for a compact form factor at 90x61x26mm. Each carries a diminutive footprint that fits easily in a pocket or small bag.

Holding both, the ST65 impresses with its thin profile and minimalist approach - yet that sometimes comes at a cost. The Sony S930 feels chunkier but more substantial, offering a gentler grip courtesy of its thicker body. The Samsung’s ultra-slim design lacks any pronounced grip surfaces, making it a tad slippery in my experience, especially in humid or colder conditions. The Sony, with a deeper body, inspires more confident handling during extended use.

In terms of build, neither camera offers weather sealing or ruggedized features, understandable given their budget positioning. However, Samsung’s plastic construction on the ST65 feels less sturdy compared to Sony’s skatey yet resilient chassis on the S930. The latter’s AA battery setup is a noteworthy ergonomic consideration, as it invites portable power flexibility at the expense of a thicker body.

Control Layout and User Interface: Top and Rear

A camera’s control scheme profoundly shapes shooting efficiency, especially for travelers and candid documentarians. Neither model sports a viewfinder, relying solely on rear LCD screens to compose shots, but their button layouts differ markedly.

The Samsung ST65 is predictably minimalist. It eschews manual exposure modes altogether, offering a fixed automatic program operation that simplifies things at the cost of creative control. The shutter and zoom toggles cluster on top with no dedicated mode dial or exposure compensation feature. Particularly, it lacks manual autofocus modes - a choice limiting serious photographers.

Conversely, the Sony S930, though also minimalist compared to DSLRs or mirrorless cameras, includes manual focus controls via a scroll ring, providing greater framing precision. Its physical buttons are adequately spaced, and a mode dial allows quick switching between scene modes and basic shooting parameters, though shutter and aperture priority remain absent. The addition of a self-timer and multiple flash modes enhances utility.

On the backside, the Samsung offers a fixed 3-inch LCD with a modest 460K-dot resolution, enabling clear framing but no touchscreen functionality. The Sony’s smaller 2.4-inch screen has a far lower 112K-dot resolution, hampering detail visibility. Neither camera provides articulated or tilting displays, somewhat limiting composition flexibility in tricky angles.

The Samsung’s interface, while sparse, is straightforward and responsive, and live view operation feels immediate. The Sony’s menus are slightly dated but functionally serviceable, with basic in-camera settings easy to navigate.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Resolution vs. Noise

Let’s pull back the curtain on their core imaging components. Both cameras use 1/2.3-inch CCD sensors, a common choice in compacts at their time for good sensitivity and low noise at base ISO settings. The Samsung ST65 packs 14 megapixels, outpacing the Sony’s 10 megapixels. Higher resolution theoretically translates to more cropping latitude and fine detail rendition.

Sensor area and dimensions are near-identical, so neither camera enjoys a specified advantage in light-gathering capability - especially since both lack image stabilization on the chip or body (though Sony does incorporate optical stabilization). The Samsung refuses to support RAW shooting, limiting post-processing flexibility. Sony also lacks RAW support, consistent with early compacts’ typical constraints.

What sets them a bit apart is their ISO performance ceiling. Samsung’s specs don’t list native ISO values, while Sony caps at ISO 3200, suggesting potentially better high ISO usability, at least on paper.

Field testing confirms these nuances. Under bright daylight, the Samsung’s higher pixel count yields punchy 14MP JPEGs with decent sharpness. However, there’s a softness creeping in due to aggressive in-camera sharpening algorithms and the low-quality lens. The Sony’s 10MP images look slightly smoother but with more natural tonal transitions.

In low light, the Sony’s optical image stabilization works discernibly well during handheld exposures, easing sharpness. Samsung’s lack of stabilization and reliance on maximum shutter speed of 1/2000 sec limits low-light handheld capability. Both cameras induce noticeable noise past ISO 400, so neither is ideal for dim shooting environments.

The bottom line: if you prioritize pixel count for outdoor or well-lit conditions, the Samsung edges ahead. For modest low-light performance and steadier handheld shooting, the Sony has a slight leg up.

Autofocus Systems and Shooting Speeds

In compact point-and-shoots, autofocus (AF) reliability is a crucial factor. The Samsung ST65 features no manual or continuous autofocus modes, relying entirely on an unspecified contrast detection system. It lacks face or eye detection, AF points, or tracking functions. The resulting autofocus is sluggish and prone to hunting in anything less than bright light.

The Sony S930 fares better with 9 contrast-detect AF points and single AF mode. The manual focus ring further adds precise control for macro or challenging scenes, an uncommon feature in this category. While no real-time face detection exists, autofocus is faster and far more consistent than Samsung’s.

Burst rates tell a similar story. The Samsung does not specify continuous shooting capabilities, effectively limiting action capture. The Sony manages a modest 2 frames per second - still insufficient for fast sports or wildlife but usable for casual sequences.

Lens Characteristics and Optical Performance

Since fixed lens cameras anchor their potential on optics, let’s examine focal ranges and aperture.

Samsung’s lens info is vague, but it mentions a focal length multiplier of 5.8x without focal length specifics. Real-world use indicates a zoom range roughly equivalent to 4x optical zoom at 28–112mm35mm equiv. Aperture data is undocumented, implying a variable aperture likely peaking around f/3.1 or smaller.

Sony’s 3.7x zoom spans 38–108mm equivalent with a bright f/2.9 to f/5.4 aperture, affording slightly better low-light capture at wide angle and gentle depth-of-field control. It also supports an impressive macro focus range down to 5cm, allowing detailed close-ups.

Both cameras incorporate 3–4 element lens groups typical of budget compacts, limiting sharpness and rendering smoothness. Sony’s optical stabilization also helps reduce blur in shaky conditions.

Flash and Exposure Controls

Both feature built-in flashes. Samsung’s flash modes are unspecified and unadjustable, while Sony offers Auto, Forced, Slow Sync, and No Flash options, providing greater exposure creativity.

Neither supports external flash units, bracketing, or manual exposure compensation - unsurprising for entry compacts but a drawback for photographers looking for more control.

Video Recording Capabilities

The Samsung ST65 shoots HD video at 1280x720 pixels, a solid offering given its era. Sony’s video resolution is far more modest at 320x240 with Motion JPEG format - not suitable for anything beyond tiny clips.

Neither camera offers microphone or headphone jacks, manual audio levels, or advanced movie modes such as 4K, high frame rates, or slow motion.

Battery Life and Storage Options

Sony uses two AA batteries, an appealing feature if you frequently forget proprietary batteries or travel to places with limited charging options. It can run on disposable alkalines or rechargeable NiMH cells, enhancing convenience and adaptability.

Samsung’s battery specs remain unspecified but likely employs an internal proprietary lithium-ion battery from that period, generally offering better longevity than alkalines but requiring access to chargers or spares.

As for storage, Samsung has one slot but the card type is unknown; Sony supports Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo formats, standard for Sony cameras but less common now.

Wireless Features and Connectivity

Neither camera features Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, HDMI, nor USB data connectivity. Transferring images meant popping out the memory card.

Performance Summaries and Scores

Combining all these factors, here are the overall assessments.

• Samsung ST65 rates well for portability and image resolution but stumbles with sluggish AF, limited controls, and lack of stabilization.
• Sony S930 earns points for its sharper handling, optical stabilization, manual focus prowess, and better flash versatility - despite its lower resolution and dated screen.

Delving into genre-specific performance helps clarify which camera suits various photographic pursuits.

Portrait Photography

For skin tone rendition, bokeh quality, and face detection, neither camera excels. Samsung offers no face or eye AF, and Sony lacks this too, though its manual focus aids in precise framing. Bokeh control is minimal given the small sensor size and relatively slow lens apertures, but Sony’s wider f/2.9 aperture grants slightly creamier backgrounds at the wide end.

Landscape Photography

Both cameras produce respectable outdoor shots given their sensor sizes. Samsung’s higher megapixels deliver slightly better detail when shooting static landscapes. Neither has weather sealing. Sony’s optical image stabilization assists when handheld, but tripod use is ideal for both.

Wildlife and Sports

Neither has fast burst modes or tracking autofocus demanded by these dynamic subjects. Sony’s faster AF is a relative advantage but insufficient for serious wildlife or sports.

Street Photography

Samsung’s slimness and軽さ lend it unobtrusive street presence, though its sluggish AF can cause missed moments. Sony’s chunkier body is more conspicuous but offers better handling and focus control.

Macro Photography

Sony’s 5cm macro focusing combined with manual focus ring enables superior close-up shots with fine focusing precision, outperforming Samsung’s unspecified macro capacity.

Night and Astro Photography

Low-light performance is challenging for both. Sony’s optical stabilization can reduce blur but noise levels degrade rapidly above ISO 400. Neither supports long exposure modes or bulb.

Video Use

Samsung’s HD video is the clear winner for casual videography. Sony’s quarter VGA clips fall short of modern expectations.

Travel Photography

Samsung’s thinner, lighter design makes it a convenient travel companion if high resolution is a priority. Sony’s versatility, longer battery life via AA power, and better handling make it a solid alternative for longer trips with fewer charging opportunities.

Professional Workflows

Neither camera supports RAW capture or advanced image adjustments, limiting professional application potential. They function strictly as casual point-and-shoots.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Buy Which?

Samsung ST65 best suits the casual snapshooter seeking a slim, pocket-friendly camera with respectable megapixels and an uncomplicated interface. Its lack of stabilization and manual options mean it’s for undemanding photography and simple vacation shots.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930 appeals more to beginners who are willing to engage a bit deeper with manual focus, enjoy optical stabilization, and appreciate versatile flash modes, even if it means compromising on resolution and screen quality. Its AA batteries and robust handling benefit travelers and those prioritizing reliability over form factor.

Closing Note

Both the Samsung ST65 and Sony DSC-S930 represent attainable entries into digital photography’s compact category circa the early 2010s. While technology has raced far ahead since their launches, their comparison yields insightful lessons on the tradeoffs compact cameras make between size, control, and image quality.

For enthusiasts who desire a simple, pocketable camera without bells and whistles, the Samsung ST65 may suffice. Those who prioritize handling, control, and stabilization at the expense of size might gravitate toward the Sony S930.

Choosing between them hinges on your photographic priorities and shooting contexts. Neither stands as a powerhouse, but both have distinct personalities worthy of consideration for collectors, beginners, or casual photographers intrigued by compact design philosophies.

Samsung ST65 front Samsung ST65 screen back Sony S930 front Sony S930 screen back

By exploring their sample images side by side, you can see practical outcomes rather than spec sheets alone. As always, in-camera JPEG processing nuances and optics dictate much of the ultimate image character with these cameras.

Thanks for joining me on this detailed comparative journey through the Samsung ST65 and Sony DSC-S930 - a reminder that even simple cameras can teach us plenty about photographic design and compromise.

Samsung ST65 front Samsung ST65 screen back Sony S930 front Sony S930 screen back