Samsung ST90 vs Sony A7R II – A Tale of Two Cameras Worlds Apart

When it comes to choosing a camera, context is king. On one end of the spectrum, we have the Samsung ST90 - a humble ultracompact point-and-shoot that’s about as simple as cameras get, designed for snapshots and casual use. At the other extreme sits the Sony A7R II - a pro-level full-frame mirrorless powerhouse, engineered for professionals and serious enthusiasts craving ultimate image quality and versatile performance.

It might seem a bit unfair to pit these two together, but that’s precisely why this comparison is fascinating. Whether you’re looking for a grab-and-go compact or an all-out imaging machine, understanding the gulf between these designs will arm you with nuanced insight. Having field-tested thousands of cameras myself, ranging from budget compacts to flagship DSLRs, I’ll dissect how these cameras stack up - not just specced on paper, but in the practical trenches of real-world photography.

Let’s dive in!

First Cuts: Size, Handling, and Build Quality

Right off the bat, the Samsung ST90 dazzles with its pocket-friendly size - a sleek 92mm by 53mm by 17mm slab that’s made to slip effortlessly into a pocket or purse. No fuss, no bulk. Its minimalist fixed-lens design and lack of optical or electronic viewfinder means it prioritizes simplicity over precision. This is a camera you grab when you want zero hassle and basic photo capturing.

In contrast, the Sony A7R II is a bulky, serious tool. Measuring 127 x 96 x 60mm and tipping the scales at roughly 625g (body only), it feels robust and comfortable in the hand. Weather sealing gives peace of mind for shooting in less-than-ideal environments - a feature sorely lacking in the ST90. The A7R II sports traditional DSLR-style ergonomics with a pronounced grip, customizable buttons, and a substantial control layout designed for photographers who care about quick manual access and long-term handling comfort.

Ergonomically - the ST90 is about convenience and spontaneity, while the A7R II is kitchen-sink thorough, aimed at those who’ll spend hours tweaking every setting. This difference is reflected in their build materials; the A7R II’s magnesium alloy frame exudes durability, whereas the ST90’s plastic shell feels disposable by comparison.

Sensor Tech & Image Quality: From Basic CCD to Cutting-edge Full Frame

Here’s where these cameras live in completely different universes.

The Samsung ST90 packs a tiny 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring 6.16 x 4.62 mm, with a resolution of 14 megapixels. CCDs were once the darling of compact cameras, known for relatively good color reproduction, but fundamentally limited in dynamic range and low-light ISO performance. At its sensor surface area of just 28.46 mm², noise becomes a challenge, especially beyond base ISO. Plus, no RAW support means you’re locked into compressed JPEGs that restrict editing flexibility.

By contrast, the Sony A7R II boasts a hefty 35.9 x 24 mm full-frame backside-illuminated CMOS sensor - an absolute beast at 42 megapixels with no anti-aliasing filter to preserve maximum detail. Its sensor area is over 860 mm², meaning it captures vastly more light, delivering superior dynamic range (about 14 EV measured) and color depth (26 bits). Coupled with the Bionz X processor, you get excellent noise control even pushing toward ISO 3200 and beyond - real game-changers for low-light shooting.

Having freshly tested both in the studio and out in the wild, the difference is stunning. The ST90 images tend to feel soft with limited fine detail and visible noise creeping in fairly quickly. Skin tones are acceptable in bright conditions but lack subtlety. Meanwhile, the A7R II churns out razor-sharp files with excellent tonal gradations and clean shadows, making it perfect for high-end portraiture, landscapes, or any use where image quality matters.

Displays and Viewfinders: Looking Through Glass vs Digital Screens

The Samsung ST90 comes equipped with a modest fixed 3-inch LCD screen boasting 460k dots - serviceable but underwhelming, especially under bright sunlight where it becomes challenging to see. No tilt, no touch, no eye-level viewfinder. The ‘live view’ is about as barebones as it gets. You’re pretty much relying on a screen to frame shots in any lighting, which limits discretion and precision.

Sony’s A7R II steps up with a higher-resolution tilting 3-inch LCD screen sporting 1.23 million dots - crisp and responsive, though lacking touchscreen functionality. More importantly, it features a sharp 2.36 million dot OLED electronic viewfinder with 0.78x magnification covering 100% of the frame - hugely valuable for manual focusing and bright situations where LCDs falter.

From personal experience, I’d never use the ST90 for important shoots given the lack of a viewfinder. The A7R II’s EVF enables critical focus checking and framing, vastly enhancing shooting confidence - especially in fast-changing light or scenarios demanding top-level precision.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed vs Simplicity

The ST90, true to its entry-level roots, offers zero autofocus sophistication. No face detection, no tracking, no continuous AF - in fact, it lacks manual focus too. It’s a fixed-lens point-and-shoot that more or less guesses. This severely limits its usefulness for dynamic subjects or creative control beyond the basics.

The Sony A7R II, on the other hand, is a marvel for autofocus. It sports 399 phase-detection AF points covering a vast portion of the frame, plus contrast detection for accuracy. Features like face detection and eye AF (though not animal eye AF, I tested with humans) work well to pin focus even in complex scenes. Continuous autofocus combined with 5 fps burst shooting lets you capture action with good hit rates.

This difference is stark when shooting wildlife or sports. The A7R II's ability to lock onto and track subjects reliably gives it a decisive professional edge, whereas the ST90 is essentially suitable only for still, well-lit scenes.

Photography Use Cases: How Each Camera Shapes Your Creative Options

Portraits: Skin Tones and Bokeh

While the ST90 can capture passable portraits in good light, the absence of selective AF and its small sensor limit subject isolation and bokeh quality. Flattering skin tones are achievable but lack depth.

The A7R II, with full-frame sensor and the ability to use fast prime lenses from Sony’s extensive E-mount lineup (over 120 lenses available!), excels here. Shallow depth-of-field, precise eye AF, and superior color instantly elevate portraits to professional standards.

Landscapes: Resolution and Dynamic Range

Need fine detail and wide tonal latitude? The ST90’s small sensor and limited dynamic range don’t hold a candle to the A7R II’s 42MP resolution and 14 stops of dynamic range. Want to recover shadows or highlights? The raw files from Sony’s camera shine here.

Weather sealing on the A7R II also adds durability for shooting in the field - rain, dust, or cold aren’t showstoppers.

Wildlife and Sports: Speed and Tracking

Attempting wildlife with the ST90 feels like a lost cause given sluggish AF and lack of continuous modes. The A7R II thrives with fast focusing and solid frame rates; though 5 fps may not wow sports shooters who might prefer the A9 series, it’s serviceable for many action scenarios.

Street and Travel: Discretion vs Versatility

The ST90 wins the portability prize hands down - tiny, quiet, and rarely noticeable. Perfect for casual street shots or travel snapshots where spontaneity matters more than image perfection.

However, the A7R II, while heavier, offers vastly more creative versatility. Its tilting screen and sturdiness make it valuable for adventurous travel photographers willing to carry some weight.

Macro Photography and Night Shots

The ST90 lacks macro focusing modes and stabilization, which the A7R II superbly compensates for thanks to in-body 5-axis image stabilization and access to specialized macro lenses.

In low light and astro situations, again, full-frame sensor advantages dominate - cleaner high ISO, better noise control, and longer exposures enabled by built-in intervalometer apps.

Video: Basic vs Professional Capabilities

Video is one area where the gap is similarly pronounced.

The ST90 offers just 720p video recording with no external mic input or stabilization, limiting its usefulness beyond casual clips.

The A7R II supports 4K UHD (3840x2160) at 30 fps, full manual control, headphone and mic jacks, and stabilized footage thanks to its 5-axis sensor shift. This makes it a compelling hybrid tool for video shooters.

Connectivity, Battery Life, and Storage: Modern Convenience

Samsung’s ST90 does not offer any form of wireless connectivity, HDMI, or USB features and relies on a solitary storage card slot. Battery life details are scarce, typical for budget compacts, but expect limited shots per charge.

Sony’s A7R II packs Wi-Fi and NFC for quick file transfers and remote control - standard fare in the pro mirrorless realm. The NP-FW50 battery offers a respectable 290 shots per charge (though heavy shooters carry spares). Storage options are flexible with SD and Memory Stick compatibility.

Price and Value: Ultra-Budget vs Premium Investment

At around $150, the Samsung ST90 is a zero-risk, inexpensive point-and-shoot, great as a casual backup or for absolute beginners with tight budgets.

The Sony A7R II commands over $2,900 for the body alone (used prices may vary) - a significant investment reflective of its class-leading specs and professional ambitions. However, for those who need cutting-edge image quality and functionality, the A7R II delivers strong value given its capabilities.

Samsung ST90 front Samsung ST90 screen back Sony A7R II front Sony A7R II screen back

How Does It Score? Objective Ratings and Genre Performance

Based on DXOMark’s industry benchmarks and my own testing notes, the disparity is clear:

More granular genre scoring puts the A7R II comfortably at the top in almost every category (portrait, landscape, wildlife, sports, etc.), while the ST90 is confined mostly to very casual usage realms.

Final Verdict: Who Should Choose Which?

Choose the Samsung ST90 if you:

• Want an ultra-affordable, pocket-sized camera for simple snapshots
• Need a grab-and-go option without fuss or complexity
• Are new to photography and want to experiment without investing heavily
• Prioritize portability and ease-of-use over image quality or versatile control

Choose the Sony A7R II if you:

• Demand top-tier image quality for portraits, landscapes, or commercial use
• Need advanced autofocus, manual controls, and high resolution
• Shoot in varied and challenging environments requiring reliability and weather sealing
• Want hybrid photo/video capabilities with professional features
• Have the budget for a premium camera system and plan to invest in lenses

In Closing: Apples and Oranges with Purpose

Comparing the Samsung ST90 with the Sony A7R II is a bit like comparing a compact hatchback with a high-performance sports car. Both have their purpose, user, and value proposition. If you want a lightweight camera for casual memories, the ST90 fits the bill (and your wallet). But if strive for photographic excellence and demand a tool that grows with your skill, the A7R II is the worthy workhorse that will reward your investment.

I encourage photographers to always align gear choices with their creative vision and shooting style. Technology evolves quickly, but clarity on one’s needs and priorities never goes out of style.

Feel free to reach out with any questions - I’ve spent countless hours living with both cameras and am happy to share more detailed anecdotes!

Happy shooting!