Samsung ST93 Review: A Budget-Friendly Digital Camera for Stunning Shots

The Samsung ST93 is a compact digital camera that offers a range of features, including a 16.1-megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom lens, and a 720p video recording mode. With its affordable price point and user-friendly interface, the ST93 is an excellent option for amateur photographers who want a quality camera without breaking the bank.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Samsung ST93 article cover photo

Key Features

Apr 20 2011

Announced

16 megapixels

Resolution

BrandSamsung
Sensor Type1/2.3-inch
SensorCCD
Weight110g
MSRP$129USD

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Overview of the ST93

As the world continues to move towards smartphone photography, dedicated digital cameras still hold a special place in the hearts of many photography enthusiasts. If you're in the market for an affordable camera that can deliver stunning shots, then the Samsung ST93 might just be what you need. With a host of features that cater to beginners and advanced users alike, the ST93 stands out as one of the best cameras in its price range. In this Samsung ST93 review, we'll explore the camera's key features, performance, and overall value to help you decide whether it's the right choice for you. We'll also delve into some of the keywords that rank well on Google to ensure this review reaches the right audience. So, let's get started!

Samsung ST93 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Samsung ST93 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High resolution images
Compact design
Affordable price
Good zoom range
Optical image stabilization
Easy to use interface
Built-in flash
Good battery life
HD video recording
Face detection technology

Cons

Limited manual control
No electronic viewfinder
Noisy images in low light
Limited ISO range
Slow autofocus
Limited connectivity options
No touchscreen
No RAW image capability
Limited image editing options

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Samsung ST93

Weather sealed
Dimensions92 x 53 x 17mm
Weight110g
Thickness17mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
This
Max

Weather Sealing

The Samsung ST93 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderNone
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution460k dots
Body typeUltracompact

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 460k dots. This makes the Samsung ST93 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

Samsung ST93 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the ST93 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Samsung ST93 has a 16MP sized CCD sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 16 pixels. Samsung ST93 has a native ISO range of 100 - 3200 which can be boosted to null - null.

Key Features

Apr 20 2011

Announced

100 - 3200

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3-inch
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution4608 x 3456 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Samsung ST93 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the ST93 is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: 1/2.3-inch

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

Storage
Battery Life
Battery Model
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Samsung ST93 supports undefined with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Samsung ST93 uses the undefined model of undefined. This is rated for undefined shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Samsung ST93 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Samsung ST93 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/2000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

Samsung ST93 does not have autofocus (AF)

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Samsung ST93?

The Samsung ST93 features a CCD sensor

Is the Samsung ST93 weather sealed?

No the ST93 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Samsung ST93 announced?

The Samsung ST93 was announced on Apr 20 2011

Does the Samsung ST93 have in-body image stabilization?

No the ST93 does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Samsung ST93?

The ST93 has a native ISO range of 100-3200, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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