Overview
The ST95 is one of the better looking cameras in Samsung's line-up, featuring an individual design, a touchscreen and a small body.
In fact, the 3 inch touchscreen on the ST95's back looks bigger due to the body's smaller size.
There's only two buttons on the back of the camera for accessing the playback menu and the home menu, which makes the camera look more streamlined. The home button provides access to the many shooting modes such as program, smart auto, scenes and video.
There's three pages of options in the home-button menu, isn't in any logical order that we can see, and some of them might be better placed in the scene mode options such as Magazine, Night, Close-up, Beauty shot, Vignetting and Photo filter.
The main menu is opened up using the touch-screen and ages are navigated by finger-swipes, much like on a smartphone.
Build quality and handling
The Samsung ST95 is a solid little camera. It feels a little weighty, which is nice, and the controls are all placed well for easy access. You may find that your thumb will stray onto the screen without you noticing from time to time especially if you have large hands though.
Moveable parts such as the lens and battery door have a little play in them, but they're not weak. The latter also has a lock on it so it doesn't get opened accidentally.
The ST95 takes a dedicated lithium ion battery that comes supplied in the box with a charging cable and plug. Charging is internal so the camera will charge from a computer (or mains) while it's downloading the pictures.
With the standard menu layout, coupled with the spacious area on the back and touchscreen, the ST95 is a very easy camera to use. The ST95 comes with a touchscreen stylus for precise use of the screen and it's advisable to use it. We found that using using a finger led to random modes being accessed and trying to scroll through the menu is more difficult without it.
Performance
When the ST95 is faced with mid range tones, it produces very nice pictures. They're well exposed, sharp and noise-levels are low. However, the camera suffers from a low dynamic range and on some occasions highlights burn out. Where this happens, high contrast edges and chromatic aberration appear.
Noise is handled well in natural light and even better in controlled light. In fact, in studio conditions and at low sensitivty settings (ISO), the pictures are sharp, clean and pretty noise free. Changes start to take effect at ISO200, but that's only noticeable when images are viewed at 100% on screen. Viewing the pictures at 'normal' size doesn't show the changes.
There's a slight colour shift in darker areas at ISO800, but the change is more noticeable at ISO1600 with shadows taking on a purple cast. Edge definition breaks down too and image details are lost as the camera's noise reduction system goes into overdrive.
Despite the high levels of noise at ISO3200, the picture does at least remain at full resolution, there are cameras in the Samsung range that will reduce it to 3 megapixels.
Colours are recorded nicely on the Samsung ST95. Primary colours are rich, but not to a garish degree and while more difficult colours are realistic. Skin tones are realised nicely and if there's a medley of different colours in the frame, there's no colour bleed.
We've had better picture quality from other Samsung cameras that we've tested, which is a shame for the ST95 as its otherwise a nice little camera. The narrow dynamic range left us feeling deflated. However, there's little noise in images captured in controlled light sources.
Image quality and resolution
As part of our image quality testing for the Samsung ST95, we've shot our resolution chart
If you view our crops of the resolution chart's central section at 100% (or Actual Pixels) you will see that, for example, at ISO 100 the Samsung ST95 is capable of resolving up to around 18 (line widths per picture height x100) in its highest quality JPEG files.
Examining images of the chart taken at each sensitivity setting reveals the following resolution scores in line widths per picture height x100:
ISO 80, score: 18 (see full image)
ISO 100, score: 18 (see full image)
ISO 200, score: 16 (see full image)
ISO 400, score: 12 (see full image)
ISO 800, score: 12 (see full image)
ISO 1600, score: n/a (see full image)
ISO 3200, score: n/a (see full image)
Noise and dynamic range
These graphs were produced using data generated by DXO Analyzer.
We shoot a specially designed chart in carefully controlled conditions and the resulting images are analysed using the DXO software.
Signal to noise ratio
A high signal to noise ratio (SNR) indicates a cleaner and better quality image.
JPEG images from the Samsung ST95 show that whilst the Signal to Noise ratio is better than the Nikon Coolpix S3100, results across the sensitivity range areconsistentlylower than both the Canon Powershot A3300 IS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS18
Dynamic range
This chart indicates that the Samsung ST95's JPEGs dynamic range is fairly low and it drops dramatically at sensitivity values higher than ISO 200.
Sample photos
The ST95 balances the exposure well when the scene has an even mix of light and dark tones
Click here to see the high res version.
Even with a bright subject in the centre, the metering has worked the exposure well.
Click here to see the high res version.
Bright areas such as clouds can be burnt out
Click here to see the high res version.
Colours are generally recorded well, but some can be a little over-vibrant
Click here to see the high res version.
With mid-range tones, exposures are spot on.
Click here to see the high res version.
Close ups look great from the ST95
Click here to see the high res version.
Sensitivty and noise
ISO 80
Click here to see the high res version
ISO 100
Click here to see the high res version
ISO 200
Click here to see the high res version
ISO 400
Click here to see the high res version
ISO 800
Click here to see the high res version
ISO 1600
Click here to see the high res version
ISO 3200
Click here to see the high res version
Samsung ST95: Specifications
Sensor
16 megapixel CCD
Lens
5x optical zoom, f/3.3
Memory
Internal, MicroSD, MicroSDHC
Viewfinder
No
LCD Screen
3 inch TFT LCD touch-screen
Video resolution
1280 x 720
ISO range
ISO80 - 3200
Focus modes
Centre AF, Multi AF, Face detection AF, One touch AF, Smart touch AF
Shutter speeds
1sec – 1/2000sec (8sec in night mode)
Weight
106.9g
Dimensions
91.9 x 53.1 x 17mm
Power supply
Lithium Ion battery
Samsung ST95: Verdict
The Samsung ST95 is a neat little camera for going out on the town with. The large barrel on the front gives it a unique look that will catch people's attention, while the touch screen and smart phone inspired user interface gives it a slick look.However, it is let down by its image quality in low light.
We liked
The interesting design that will appeal to younger people while the small size makes it an easy travel companion. The touchscreen adds to the appeal and the similar user interface to a smart phone gives it a familiar edge with current phone users.
We disliked
We'd like to see a touchscreen that works without the provided stylus. Remembering to get it out when making changes for a candid shot is frustrating. Dynamic range is too narrow compared to other compact cameras.
Verdict
The ST95's build quality is good and is an upgrade on from the ST90 with additional features such as the touchscreen, the lock on the battery door and a better looking lens cover. While the touchscreen is responsive, it works best with the provided stylus. The screen can be difficult to see in very bright light even when it's shaded.
Because of its attractive design and dinky size the ST95 will appeal to the type of person that likes to take a camera out in the evening. The price point makes it accessible to more people and less of a worry if it needs replacing.
However, the camera has a tendency to burn out highlights and images are best when there are no bright light or very dark areas in the shot. The camera also struggles to record detail at the higher sensitivity values.
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