Samsung ST80 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730: An Expert Hands-On Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

When diving into the world of ultracompact and small sensor compact cameras, two models often come under consideration for those seeking portability and ease of use: the Samsung ST80 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730. Both cameras were unveiled in the early 2010s, boasting compact form factors that appeal to casual shooters, enthusiasts wanting a backup body, or travelers prioritizing minimal bulk.

Having personally tested both extensively across various photography disciplines, I’ll guide you through a detailed comparison of these two pocketable cameras. This article blends technical analysis with real-world performance and usability insights. Whether you prioritize street photography, macro, video, or travel shooting, this comprehensive evaluation will pinpoint the strengths and weaknesses of each model, helping you decide which suits your needs best.

Getting to Know the Contenders: Samsung ST80 and Sony DSC-W730

Briefly, here’s an overview of each camera’s key specs:

Feature	Samsung ST80	Sony DSC-W730
Announced	January 2010	January 2013
Body Type	Ultracompact	Small Sensor Compact
Sensor Type	1/2.3" CCD	1/2.3" CCD
Resolution	14MP	16MP
Lens	35-105mm equiv. (3x zoom)	25-224mm equiv. (9x zoom)
Max Aperture	f/3.3-5.5	f/3.3-6.3
Screen	3" Touchscreen, fixed	2.7" Touchscreen, fixed
Image Stabilization	Optical	Optical
Video	720p HD (30 fps), Motion JPEG	720p HD (30 fps), MPEG-4/AVCHD
Weight	118g	122g
ISO Range	80-4800 native (up to 6400 boosted)	100-3200 native
Price (at release)	~$249	~$138

Right off the bat, you can see Samsung’s ST80 offers a slightly larger screen and sensor resolution close to the Sony, whereas the Sony DSC-W730 packs a significantly longer zoom range and a different codec offering for video. Let’s unpack how these differences translate into actual use.

Size, Handling, and Ergonomics: Which Fits Your Hand?

No matter how advanced the technology inside, a camera’s usability is governed largely by its physical feel - an aspect I frequently examine during hands-on reviews. To put it simply: Are the controls intuitive? Is the grip secure? How portable is it?

Looking at the dimensions, the Samsung ST80 measures 92 x 55 x 19 mm, while the Sony W730 is slightly longer but thinner at 93 x 52 x 22 mm. Both weigh practically the same: ~118g vs 122g respectively. The ultracompact ST80 edges out slightly in slimness, but the Sony makes up for it with a more extended zoom lens.

The Samsung's 3-inch touchscreen felt responsive in testing and offered bright visibility even under sunlight, though the smaller screen on the Sony W730 was also usable but slightly dimmer due to its TFT LCD technology. Both lack viewfinders, which might be a drawback in bright conditions.

Controls on the ST80 are minimalistic with touchscreen reliance, whereas the Sony includes a few more physical buttons, including a zoom lever that's easy to operate with one hand.

Overall, I found both cameras easy to carry everywhere, but if you prioritize pocket-friendly design, the Samsung’s slimmer profile is a slight advantage. Meanwhile, the Sony offers better grip security given its marginally deeper body.

Design and Control Layout: Friendly Interface for Fast Shooting

A camera’s button and control layout significantly impact your ability to capture fleeting moments with speed and confidence.

Samsung ST80’s top view reveals a clean but sparse layout. It includes the shutter button, zoom toggle, power button, and a dedicated mode dial. The mode wheel offers manual exposure modes (a rarity in ultracompacts), including shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual control. This stands out as one area where Samsung’s model is more flexible for enthusiasts.

Conversely, the Sony W730 relies mostly on a point-and-shoot design philosophy. It lacks manual exposure modes altogether, instead offering auto and basic scene modes. The zoom ring is intuitive, but overall control is less customizable.

If you want some creative control during shoots - especially if you’re learning exposure settings - the ST80 is more attractive. If ease and simplicity are your priorities, Sony’s interface by contrast is effortless.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Pixel Peeping and Practical Use

Let's drill down on what counts most - image quality from the sensor to final JPEGs and videos.

Both cameras use 1/2.3-inch CCD sensors approximately 6x4.5mm in size. The Sony’s sensor resolution of 16MP slightly surpasses the Samsung’s 14MP, but megapixels alone don’t tell the whole story.

In my lab tests, the Sony DSC-W730 produced slightly sharper images at base ISO with minimal noise and better detail retention in shadows thanks to its superior image processing pipeline (MPEG-4/AVCHD codec also improves video quality). However, both cameras struggled in low light, with increased noise and softness.

Samsung’s ST80 has the edge for manual ISO selection, offering up to ISO 4800 native and boost to 6400. Sony caps at ISO 3200, but I found Samsung’s higher ISO images were more marred by noise.

Color reproduction in both models was vibrant yet somewhat saturated, characteristic of CCD sensors. The Sony’s face detection autofocus was more consistent, producing better skin tones in portraits.

Neither camera supports RAW shooting - a major limitation for professionals seeking full editing flexibility. For casual users, JPEGs straight out of the camera are decent but with limited dynamic range.

Portrait Photography: Handling Skin Tones, Eye Detection, and Bokeh

Portraits demand precise focus on eyes, natural skin tone rendering, and background separation through bokeh.

Both cameras offer 5cm macro ranges allowing close-up portraits with nice subject isolation. However, Samsung ST80 does not include face or eye-detection autofocus, which I found makes precise portrait focusing more challenging, especially in group shots.

The Sony DSC-W730, meanwhile, incorporates a face detection system and contrast-detect AF that delivered sharper eye focus in my testing.

Regarding background blur, both use compact lenses with relatively small maximum apertures (f/3.3-5.5 on Samsung, f/3.3-6.3 on Sony), limiting bokeh potential. However, thanks to the longer zoom range on the Sony, you can achieve better subject separation at telephoto.

In skin tone reproduction, Sony again had a slight advantage with subdued color casts versus the more punchy but less natural Samsung colors.

Summary:

• Sony W730 better for portraits due to face detection and longer zoom.
• Samsung ST80 allows manual exposure control, but focusing requires more care.
• Neither camera excels at creamy bokeh due to relatively slow lenses.

Landscape Photography: Resolution, Dynamic Range, and Durability

Landscape photography relies heavily on high resolution, dynamic range (capturing detail in bright skies and shadows), and often weather resistance for outdoor shooting.

Both cameras share similar sensor sizes, but Sony's 16MP sensor yields marginally higher resolution.

Neither camera boasts environmental sealing, dust, or waterproofing, which limits outdoor reliability in harsh conditions.

Dynamic range is a weak point for both. I tested high-contrast scenes and found that neither camera could fully retain detail in shadows without clipping highlights, reflecting the limitations of small 1/2.3" CCDs.

The Samsung’s manual exposure modes can be useful if you wish to bracket shots or experiment with exposure compensation during shooting, which can indirectly aid landscape results.

Finally, both cameras’ compact bodies make them convenient for travel but may feel less comfortable to hold for long landscape sessions.

Wildlife Photography: Zoom Reach and Autofocus Speed

For wildlife, reach and sharp, fast autofocus are paramount.

Sony’s 9x zoom covering 25-224mm equivalent dramatically outperforms Samsung’s modest 3x 35-105mm lens in framing distant animals.

In practice, Sony’s extended zoom allowed me to photograph birds and squirrels from a respectable distance without cropping.

However, neither camera offers fast burst shooting (Sony’s continuous shooting is 1 FPS; Samsung lacks continuous shooting), meaning capturing fast action sequences is difficult.

Autofocus on both cameras relies on contrast detection, but the Sony’s autofocus tracking proved more reliable on moving subjects, likely aided by its face detection capabilities.

If wildlife photography is a priority, Sony W730’s zoom and AF reliability position it clearly ahead.

Sports Photography: Tracking Accuracy, Low Light, and Frame Rates

Sports photography demands rapid continuous shooting and accurate tracking.

Neither the Samsung ST80 nor Sony DSC-W730 is designed for high-speed action capture. Samsung does not feature continuous shooting; Sony provides just 1 FPS, insufficient for action sequences.

Autofocus tracking is limited - contrast detection AF systems inherently lag behind phase detection or hybrid systems found in DSLRs and advanced mirrorless cameras.

Low light limitations and relatively slow apertures further hamper sports photography usability.

In short, if you want a compact camera for casual snapshots at sports events, Sony’s reliable AF and modest burst shooting are preferable. Serious sports photography requires more specialized gear.

Street Photography: Discreteness, Low Light, and Portability

In street photography, quick responsiveness, discretion, and good low-light performance matter.

Both cameras are small, lightweight, and discreet. The Samsung ST80's slim profile makes it pocketable and easy to shoot inconspicuously without drawing attention.

Sony’s control layout includes physical zoom and shutter buttons with tactile feedback, improving reaction times.

Low light autofocus is a challenge for both. The Samsung lacks face detection, possibly missing critical moments in dim conditions, while Sony’s contrast and face detection depend heavily on ambient light.

The touchscreens on both models simplify focus point selection, though the Sony’s smaller screen may hinder easy framing.

For street enthusiasts prioritizing portability and simplicity, Samsung ST80 is slightly better for stealth, with Sony W730 offering a tad more speed reliability.

Macro Photography: Magnification, Focusing Precision, and Stabilization

Close-up photography requires excellent focusing precision and stabilization.

Both models support macro focusing down to 5cm, which is impressive for ultracompacts.

Samsung ST80 includes optical image stabilization (OIS), helping minimize shake at close distances during hand-held shooting. Sony W730 also includes OIS but with slightly less effective performance in my hands-on tests.

Manual focus is unavailable on both, so focusing relies on contrast detection AF - sometimes challenging at macro distances given narrow depth of field.

Neither supports focus stacking or bracketing, limiting creative macro capabilities.

In sum, both cameras will satisfy casual macro shooters, with Samsung’s OIS providing a slight edge for sharp handheld close-ups.

Night and Astrophotography: High ISO Performance and Exposure Options

Shooting in near-darkness requires excellent high ISO noise control and flexible exposure options.

Samsung ST80 offers manual controls - aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual, enabling long exposures beneficial for night or star photography.

Sony lacks manual exposure modes, relying on program or scene modes that limit creative exposure settings.

Both cameras have similar ISO ceilings (4800 boosted on Samsung; 3200 on Sony) but both produce noisy images above ISO 800, typical for small CCD sensors.

I used Samsung’s manual modes to capture reasonable night shots with tripod support, but neither camera is ideal for astrophotography.

Video Capabilities: Resolution, Stabilization, and Audio Features

Video has become a core feature even on compacts.

Samsung records 720p HD video at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format, while Sony shoots 720p at 30fps in more efficient MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats.

Neither model films in Full HD 1080p or 4K.

Neither includes microphone or headphone ports, limiting sound quality control. Samsung offers HDMI output for video playback, which Sony lacks.

Optical image stabilization helps smooth footage on both models but doesn’t replace dedicated gimbals or stabilizers.

Overall, Sony’s video compression delivers better quality files with smaller storage footprints, ideal for casual video bloggers.

Travel Photography: Versatility, Battery Life, and Connectivity

For travel, you want a versatile focal range, long battery life, easy image sharing, and compact size.

Sony’s 25-224mm zoom vastly expands compositional options from wide landscapes to telephoto shots.

Samsung covers from 35-105mm - a more limited range but faster lenses at the short end.

Battery life favors Sony with claimed 240 shots per charge versus unknown for Samsung (typically less due to older tech).

Neither camera offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, or NFC, all increasingly common for easy geotagging and sharing.

Memory card types vary: Samsung supports MicroSD, possibly limiting card choices, while Sony accepts standard SD, Memory Stick variants, and SDXC with ample storage options.

For travel photographers prioritizing zoom flexibility and ease of use, Sony DSC-W730 is a better all-around choice.

Professional Work: Workflow Integration and Reliability

Neither camera is suited for professional assignments given design limitations.

No RAW support, no advanced autofocus or exposure bracketing, and modest image quality limit pro use.

Reliability is adequate for casual shooting, but both lack weather sealing or ruggedness needed for demanding environments.

Poor low-light performance restricts event shooting.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Durability

Both models have plastic bodies consistent with their class.

Neither provides environmental sealing, dust, or shock protection - expect careful handling.

Samsung ST80’s thinner body may feel more fragile.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Fixed lens cameras like these rely heavily on their built-in zoom quality.

Sony’s 9x zoom lens outclasses Samsung’s narrower 3x zoom in versatility.

Neither camera supports interchangeable lenses.

Storage, Battery, and Connectivity Summary

Feature	Samsung ST80	Sony W730
Storage	MicroSD / MicroSDHC	SD / Memory Stick variants
Battery	BP70A (unknown runtime)	NP-BN (~240 shots)
Connectivity	USB 2.0, HDMI output	USB 2.0 only
Wireless	None	None

Lack of wireless connectivity puts both models behind more modern compacts.

Comparing Real-World Performance: Scores and Summaries

From a performance standpoint, both cameras score similarly for casual photography but diverge more when use case is specific.

Sony excels in zoom-based genres like wildlife and travel, while Samsung offers more creative control for enthusiasts via manual exposure modes.

Final Recommendations: Who Should Pick Which Camera?

Choose the Samsung ST80 if you:

• Want manual exposure control on a pocketable camera.
• Prioritize a larger touchscreen and simple but functional UI.
• Prefer faster aperture lenses (albeit with limited zoom).
• Plan to shoot more landscapes and night photos with manual settings.
• Value optical image stabilization for handheld macro or low-light shots.

Opt for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730 if you:

• Need versatile zoom range for wildlife, travel, and street photography.
• Want reliable face detection autofocus for portraits.
• Desire better video compression options.
• Prefer longer battery life and more expandable storage choices.
• Are looking for the best “grab and shoot” model with minimal fuss.

Parting Thoughts: A Case of Different Strengths in Compact Cameras

In the realm of ultracompact cameras, compromises are inevitable. The Samsung ST80 brings welcome manual exposure options and a larger screen that may appeal to enthusiasts aiming to learn photography fundamentals on a simple device. Meanwhile, the Sony DSC-W730’s zoom versatility, superior autofocus tracking, and video codecs give it an edge for casual users wanting one easy camera for various everyday scenes.

Neither camera suits professional needs or serious low-light shooting but each is a convenient, budget-friendly companion for specific photography tasks. Your choice depends heavily on whether you prize manual control over zoom flexibility.

With this in-depth, hands-on review, I hope you feel better equipped to select the right compact camera that meets your photographic ambitions.

Happy shooting!

Disclosure: I conducted extensive comparative tests of both cameras, including lab analysis and real-world scenarios across multiple photography disciplines, to provide this impartial and authoritative review.