Samsung ST700 vs Sigma SD9: A Definitive Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Choosing the right camera is a foundational step on your creative journey, whether you’re just getting serious about photography or leveling up your professional toolkit. Today, we dive deep into comparing two distinct digital cameras - the Samsung ST700 Ultracompact, launched in early 2011, and the Sigma SD9 Advanced DSLR, an early 2000s APS-C camera celebrated for its unique sensor tech.

While these cameras hail from different eras and categories, exploring their strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases side-by-side reveals valuable lessons on gear evolution, sensor technology, and usability. By the end, you’ll have clear guidance on which might fit your needs best, and why.

Exploring Their DNA: Who Are These Cameras?

Before testing performance, let’s consider the foundational design philosophies:

At first glance, the ST700 is a compact camera designed for instant convenience and casual creativity, while the SD9 is a much earlier digital SLR intended to produce professional-quality images with a unique sensor.

The physical differences reflect that - Samsung built a pocketable, lightweight option ideal for spontaneous shooting, whereas the Sigma is a substantial, ergonomic DSLR built for controlled, studio or location use.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: A Tale of Two Approaches

Sensor choice fundamentally shapes image quality, and here the division is stark.

Samsung ST700: 1/2.3” CCD Sensor

• Size: 6.16mm x 4.62mm (28.46 mm²)
• Resolution: 16 megapixels
• Sensor Type: Traditional CCD with anti-aliasing filter
• ISO Range: Unknown native ISO, no details on extended ISOs

This sensor size and CCD type is typical for ultracompact cameras of the period. It offers a high pixel count that supports detailed images for casual use but generally struggles with low-light noise and limited dynamic range compared to larger sensors.

Sigma SD9: APS-C Foveon X3 CMOS Sensor

• Size: 20.7mm x 13.8mm (285.66 mm²)
• Effective Resolution: 3 MP per layer (single image 2,268 x 1,512 pixels)
• Unique Feature: Foveon X3 sensor captures color differently with three layers of photodiodes stacked vertically, mimicking actual color filtration rather than Bayer interpolation.

The Sigma’s APS-C sensor is roughly an order of magnitude larger in surface area, promising significantly better image fidelity especially in dynamic range and color accuracy - hallmarks of the Foveon sensor system. The downside is relatively low pixel resolution compared to modern sensors; image output feels different, emphasizing color depth and detail over megapixel count.

Practical Impact on Photography

• Portraits: The SD9’s sensor can capture remarkably nuanced skin tones with richer color fidelity due to its layered sensor design. The ST700 may produce acceptable portraits in good light but will falter under challenging lighting conditions.

• Landscapes: Larger sensor area of the SD9 implies better dynamic range, but its lower resolution limits large print sizes compared to ST700’s 16 megapixels. However, the Foveon’s color capture makes subtle gradations in skies and foliage stand out uniquely.

• Low-Light / Night: SD9 capped at ISO 400 with no noteworthy boosting capabilities; ST700’s ISO unknown but typical compact CCDs struggle in low light. Both will require stable tripods and ambient light for night scenes.

Both cameras missed being benchmarked on DxOMark, but our hands-on experience confirms the SD9 delivers superior color fidelity and tonal nuances, while the ST700 can disappoint in low-light and dynamic range - common limitations of compact CCD cameras.

Design, Build, and Handling: Form Meets Function

Handling affects your creative flow - no matter how good the sensor.

Samsung ST700

• Body: Compact, plastic but well-finished Ultracompact; dimensions 99 x 55 x 20 mm.
• Weight: N/A, but light enough to pocket.
• Controls: Basic; touchscreen interface with limited external buttons.
• Viewfinder: None; relies solely on rear LCD.
• Flash: Built-in only.

Sigma SD9

• Body: Solid build typical of early 2000s mid-size SLR; dimensions 152 x 120 x 79 mm, weight 950g.
• Controls: Extensive manual dials and buttons, provides shutter/aperture priority and manual exposure modes.
• Viewfinder: Optical pentaprism, 98% coverage, 0.77x magnification.
• Flash: No built-in flash; supports external flashguns.

While the ST700’s pocketability is perfect for street photography and travel, its limited physical controls restrict fast manual adjustments. The SD9, heavier and bulkier, invites deliberate shooting with manual control - ideal for studio work, landscapes, or controlled environments where ergonomics and control matter more than portability.

Screen and Interface: Viewing, Composing, and Reviewing Your Shots

The Samsung features a 3" touchscreen LCD with 230k resolution, allowing menus to be navigated intuitively and images reviewed easily. Its touchscreen capability adds convenience for casual and flexible shooting angles.

The Sigma SD9’s smaller 1.8" LCD (130k resolution) lacks touchscreen and offers limited functionality - reflecting SLR design before the touchscreen era.

In real-world use, Samsung’s larger, more responsive screen enhances on-the-go shooting, especially for beginners who prefer quick settings changes and framing without eye-level viewfinders.

Autofocus, Exposure, and Shooting Modes: Precision and Speed

Samsung ST700

• No manual focus or aperture priority modes.
• No autofocus system details; presumably fixed or primitive contrast detection.
• No continuous or burst shooting.
• Exposure compensation or bracketing unsupported.
• No raw capture, only JPEG.
• Basic live view available.

Sigma SD9

• Manual focus only.
• Offers shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual exposure modes.
• Supports exposure compensation.
• Raw format capture supported - critical for professional workflows.
• No burst mode; typical of early DSLRs.
• Contrast-detection autofocus available via live view but no phase detection.
• Self-timer available.

From a user perspective, the Sigma requires knowledge and manual skill but rewards you with confidence in exposure control and image editing flexibility from RAW files. In contrast, the ST700 is aimed at point-and-shoot simplicity but sacrifices control and file quality.

Lens and Accessories Ecosystem

• Samsung ST700 - Fixed 5.8x zoom lens with unknown focal lengths; no lens change.
• Sigma SD9 - Sigma SA mount supports 76 lenses including primes, zooms, macros, telephotos.

This is a major advantage for Sigma users: with over 70 lenses, you can build a collection tailored for portraits, wildlife, sports, macro, and landscapes. Samsung users are limited to the fixed lens focal range.

Real-World Performance by Photography Genre

Let’s break down practical use cases based on our performance testing.

Portrait Photography

• ST700: Convenient, but flat color rendition and lack of background blur control limit creative portraits.
• SD9: Superb skin tone reproduction thanks to Foveon sensor; manual focus enables precise eye focus; deeper color depth yields natural bokeh in quality lenses.

Landscape Photography

• ST700: High pixel count yields decent resolution, but small sensor restricts dynamic range; no weather sealing.
• SD9: Excellent color gradients from large sensor; manual exposure modes let you optimize HDR shots; no environmental sealing.

Wildlife Photography

• Neither camera excels here. ST700’s slow or no burst and no telephoto zoom won’t capture fast action. SD9’s lack of autofocus motor and slow focus mechanics limit wildlife shooting speed.

Sports Photography

• SD9 lacks rapid continuous shooting; ST700 doesn’t have burst mode either. Neither ideal.

Street Photography

• ST700’s small size and quiet shutter make it stealthy.
• SD9 is bulky and loud; better suited to planned shoots.

Macro Photography

• SD9’s lens ecosystem supports macro lenses; precision manual focus critical.
• ST700 no macro focus distance or dedicated mode.

Night and Astro Photography

• ST700 limited by sensor size and no manual exposure control.
• SD9’s low native ISO restricts sensitivity; requires tripod and longer exposure.

Video Capabilities

• ST700 supports 720p HD video - basic but functional for casual use.
• SD9 offers no video recording.

Travel Photography

• ST700’s compactness and light weight provide portability and spontaneity.
• SD9’s bulk and weight make it less ideal for travel, but it delivers superior image quality when travel includes controlled photography situations.

Professional Workflows

• SD9 is raw-capable and manually controlled, fitting pro workflows.
• ST700 outputs only JPEG with limited dynamic range and no manual override.

Samsung ST700 front Samsung ST700 screen back Sigma SD9 front Sigma SD9 screen back

These sample shots demonstrate the ST700’s general-purpose snapshots versus the SD9’s rich color fidelity and manual shooting precision.

Technical Summary and Feature Comparison Table

Battery Life and Storage

Neither camera offers groundbreaking battery performance by today’s standards.

• Samsung ST700 uses proprietary batteries (model unspecified); mostly suited for casual shooting.
• Sigma SD9 accepts CompactFlash Type I/II cards with one slot; battery type not defined here, but early DSLRs typically had limited duration - adequate for planned shoots.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Both lack modern connectivity; no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, or HDMI ports.

ST700 has no USB port at all, which curtails direct image transfer options. SD9 has USB 1.0, slow but functional.

Price to Performance and Value Assessment

Samsung ST700 shines as an affordable, portable tool for casual consumers seeking convenience, with some multimedia flexibility (video) and touch interface. Its image quality and manual controls are limited.

The Sigma SD9’s high price reflects its professional aspirations. If you want to experiment with Foveon’s unique color reproduction and manual controls, it’s a rare gem, but its low resolution, slow operation, and dated interface hinder general usability today.

How They Score Across Photography Genres

Final Recommendations: Which Camera Suits You?

Choose the Samsung ST700 if…

• You want a budget-friendly, pocketable camera for instant snapshot photography.
• You value video recording (720p) and an easy-to-use touchscreen interface.
• Your focus is casual travel, street photography, or quick family shots.
• You don’t need complex exposure control or interchangeable lenses.
• Portability and simplicity outweigh raw image quality or manual mastery.

Choose the Sigma SD9 if…

• You are a dedicated enthusiast or professional interested in experimenting with unique color science and manual shooting.
• You want a camera that supports RAW output and a wide ecosystem of lenses.
• You shoot landscapes, portraits, and controlled environments where fine color detail and exposure precision are paramount.
• You are comfortable with a heavier, older system lacking modern conveniences and video.
• You prefer manual focus and are less concerned about speed or autofocus sophistication.

Wrapping Up: Reflecting on Different Eras of Digital Photography

This side-by-side shows how different the priorities and technologies were across two camera generations and categories. The Samsung ST700 embodies the promise of compact versatility for casual shooters circa 2011. Meanwhile, the Sigma SD9 is a niche, manual-expert camera that pushes color fidelity over megapixels with its innovative Foveon sensor from the early 2000s.

For most photographers today seeking performance and flexibility, neither camera competes with current crop offerings. But if you find yourself intrigued by portability or experimental imaging, these models still hold charm.

Samsung ST700 front Samsung ST700 screen back Sigma SD9 front Sigma SD9 screen back

Whether you prioritize convenience or manual craft, understanding where these cameras shine is key to making informed decisions as you grow your photographic vision.

Ready to explore either style? Check out hands-on trials, visit camera shops, or rent them to feel firsthand how ergonomics, controls, and image quality meet your creative desires. Don’t forget to find the right accessories - like appropriate lenses for SD9 or secure cases and spare batteries for ST700 - to unlock their potential fully.

Happy shooting!