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Samsung ST90 vs Sony A230

Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
19
Overall
29
Samsung ST90 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
49
Features
40
Overall
45

Samsung ST90 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Samsung ST90
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 0 - 0
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • n/ag - 92 x 53 x 17mm
  • Revealed January 2011
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Succeeded the Sony A200
  • Replacement is Sony A290
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Samsung ST90 vs Sony A230 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Samsung ST90 versus Sony A230, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Samsung and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the ST90 (14MP) and A230 (10MP) and the ST90 (1/2.3") and A230 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The ST90 was revealed 21 months later than the A230 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Samsung ST90 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the ST90 matches up versus the A230 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Samsung ST90 over the Sony A230

 ST90 A230 
ReleasedJanuary 2011May 2009More recent by 21 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Samsung ST90

 A230 ST90 
Focus manually Dial exact focus

Common features in the Samsung ST90 and Sony A230

 ST90 A230 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Samsung ST90 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and measurements. The Samsung ST90 has got physical dimensions of 92mm x 53mm x 17mm (3.6" x 2.1" x 0.7") along with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) and the Sony A230 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Analyze the Samsung ST90 versus Sony A230 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at the time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the ST90 versus the A230.

Samsung ST90 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the ST90 and A230 is 99 and 69 respectively.

Samsung ST90 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Samsung ST90 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to envision the contrast in sensor measurements only by seeing specs. The visual below may provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the ST90 and A230.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The ST90 having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Samsung ST90 will provide greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The newer ST90 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Samsung ST90 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Samsung ST90 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung ST90 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung ST90 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A230 as a Portrait photography camera
28
good resolution (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual mode
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
53
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no liveview
megapixel count low (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Samsung ST90 Street photography information
Sony A230 Street photography information
49
no moving screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
maximum ISO low (0)
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Samsung ST90 Sports photography information
Sony A230 Sports photography information
26
good resolution (14 megapixels)
can't change focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview
max fps low (3.0 fps)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
low battery (230 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung ST90 Travel photography highlights
Sony A230 Travel photography highlights
71
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
very good maximum aperture (f)
no Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
45
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
low battery (230 shots)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Samsung ST90
Landscape photography with Sony A230
37
very good maximum aperture (f)
nice screen size (3 inch)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
no manual mode
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
maximum ISO low (0)
doesn't have RAW files
no Time Lapse function
51
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no liveview
megapixel count low (10MP)
low battery (230 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung ST90
Vlogging with Sony A230
27
very good maximum aperture (f)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic port
9
can't record video
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Samsung ST90 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung ST90 and Sony A230
 Samsung ST90Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung ST90 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2011-01-19 2009-05-18
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.16 x 4.62mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.5mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 3872 x 2592
Highest native ISO - 3200
Lowest native ISO - 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range () -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed - 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 10.00 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight - 490g (1.08 pounds)
Physical dimensions 92 x 53 x 17mm (3.6" x 2.1" x 0.7") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 63
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 531
Other
Battery life - 230 photographs
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage - SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $150 $569