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Samsung ST90 vs Sony a1

Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
19
Overall
29
Samsung ST90 front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Samsung ST90 vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Samsung ST90
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 0 - 0
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • n/ag - 92 x 53 x 17mm
  • Introduced January 2011
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Introduced January 2021
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Samsung ST90 vs Sony a1 Overview

Below, we are matching up the Samsung ST90 vs Sony a1, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Samsung and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the ST90 (14MP) and a1 (50MP) and the ST90 (1/2.3") and a1 (Full frame) possess different sensor dimensions.

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The ST90 was released 11 years earlier than the a1 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Samsung ST90 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the ST90 matches up vs the a1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung ST90 over the Sony a1

 ST90 a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Samsung ST90

 a1 ST90 
IntroducedJanuary 2021January 2011More modern by 122 months
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k460kClearer display (+980k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Samsung ST90 and Sony a1

 ST90 a1 
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Samsung ST90 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and size. The Samsung ST90 has got outside dimensions of 92mm x 53mm x 17mm (3.6" x 2.1" x 0.7") having a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) whilst the Sony a1 has specifications of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

See the Samsung ST90 vs Sony a1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the ST90 and the a1.

Samsung ST90 vs Sony a1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ST90 and a1 is 99 and 61 respectively.

Samsung ST90 vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Samsung ST90 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizes purely by going through specs. The picture here will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ST90 and a1.

All in all, both cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The ST90 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF more difficult and the Sony a1 will provide extra detail as a result of its extra 36MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more aged ST90 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Samsung ST90 vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Samsung ST90 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung ST90 vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung ST90 Portrait photography advice
Sony a1 Portrait photography advice
28
decent megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
88
you can focus manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/400s)
fantastic megapixels (50 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung ST90 Street photography factors
Sony a1 Street photography factors
49
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
low max ISO (0)
79
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
boasts focus by touch
weather proofing
very good ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Samsung ST90 as a Sports photography camera
Sony a1 as a Sports photography camera
26
decent megapixels (14MP)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
90
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (30.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic megapixels (50 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
great battery power (530 shots)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung ST90 Travel photography advice
Sony a1 Travel photography advice
71
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
great maximum aperture (f)
no Timelapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly screen
73
great battery power (530 CIPA)
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
fantastic megapixels (50MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung ST90 Landscape photography info
Sony a1 Landscape photography info
37
great maximum aperture (f)
screen is a decent size (3")
decent megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
low max ISO (0)
does not have RAW support
no Timelapse mode
88
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic megapixels (50 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (32,000)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
great battery power (530 per charge)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung ST90 Vlogging factors
Sony a1 Vlogging factors
27
great maximum aperture (f)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone support
36
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
high res video (7680 x 4320 pixels)
includes external microphone port
display isn't selfie friendly
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Samsung ST90 vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung ST90 and Sony a1
 Samsung ST90Sony Alpha a1
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model Samsung ST90 Sony Alpha a1
Type Ultracompact Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-01-19 2021-01-26
Body design Ultracompact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 50 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 8640 x 5760
Max native ISO - 32000
Max boosted ISO - 102400
Min native ISO - 100
RAW pictures
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 759
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range () -
Number of lenses - 133
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,437 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.9x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shooting speed - 30.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash settings - Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/400s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Max video resolution 1280x720 7680x4320
Video format - XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight - 737g (1.62 pounds)
Dimensions 92 x 53 x 17mm (3.6" x 2.1" x 0.7") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 530 images
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FZ100
Self timer - Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage - Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots One 2
Cost at launch $150 $6,498