Samsung ST90 vs Sony A230
99 Imaging
37 Features
19 Overall
29


69 Imaging
49 Features
40 Overall
45
Samsung ST90 vs Sony A230 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)

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.

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.

Samsung ST90 vs Sony A230 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Samsung ST90 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A230. The full galleries are viewable at Samsung ST90 Gallery and Sony A230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Samsung ST90 over the Sony A230
ST90 | A230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2011 | ![]() | May 2009 | More recent by 21 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung ST90 vs Sony A230 Specifications
Samsung ST90 | Sony 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 |