This is a 12.2 megapixel camera, Samsung 3x optical zoom lens (35-105mm equivalent) and many amazing features.
It seems that also in the tradition of Samsung mobile phones, the ST50 has a very thin design (16.6mm). Size is only business card and sure with scratch resistant alloy cover.
The compact control system, the top face of the shutter button is surrounded by the zoom / telephoto control ring, the “power” button and the “smart” button highlighted with “blue” light.
LCD 2.7″ takes up most of the back with a very detailed menu, the shooting mode is implemented into a convenient switch.
Universal USB terminal for both data and A / V output, especially a battery charger with USB cable and a beautiful and innovative design outlet.
The bottom of the battery compartment is Li-ion rechargeable battery, SD memory card.
Samsung ST50 Digital Camera – Black (12MP, 3x Optical Zoom) 2.7 inch LCD: Buy it now
1. Design and Build
Slim, metal-bodied, comes in black or silver (plus a couple of louder color options). Small enough that you forget it’s in your jacket pocket — 89 x 57 x 19 mm, 125 grams.
The metal held up a lot better than the plastic shells most compacts had back then. Buttons click properly instead of mushing under your thumb. It won’t survive a drop the way a rugged camera would, but for a point-and-shoot, it’s solidly put together.
2. Features and Specs
Sensor and image quality. A 12.2-megapixel CCD sensor — standard for 2010. It’s enough resolution for an 8×10 print, and the processing engine leans toward punchy colors. In good light the shots come out clean and detailed; that’s where this camera is happiest.
Lens and zoom. 5x optical zoom, 27.5-137.5mm equivalent, with a f/2.5 maximum aperture that helps in dim rooms. The zoom control is smooth. It won’t get you close enough for wildlife or sports from a distance, but for everyday framing it’s plenty.
LCD screen. 2.7 inches, 230,000 dots. Usable for composing and checking shots, though outdoors in direct sun it washes out like most screens from this generation.
Image stabilization. Digital, not optical — meaning the camera crops and processes to reduce shake rather than physically counteracting it with lens elements. It helps a little. You’ll still want a steady hand at full zoom or in low light.
Shooting modes. Shooting modes cover the basics: Auto, Program, and scene presets for Portrait, Landscape, Night, Macro. Video maxes out at VGA, 30fps — good enough for a quick clip, nothing you’d want to watch on a TV. Face detection works fine on portraits. A handful of filters are thrown in too, if that’s your thing.
3. Using It
The menu system is straightforward and the mode dial makes switching shooting modes quick. Nothing here requires a manual.
Daylight shots come out solid — accurate colors, decent detail out of the 12.2MP sensor. Take it indoors or after dark and you’ll notice the digital stabilization just can’t keep up: crank the ISO and the noise creeps in fast, images go soft around the edges. Your best bet is flash, or just brace your arms and hold still.
Battery life gets you through a normal day of shooting. If you’re planning to shoot all day or record a lot of video, carry a spare.
Speed is adequate — quick power-on, reasonable shutter response — but switching modes or processing larger images introduces a bit of lag.
4. How It Stacks Up
The Canon PowerShot A1200 is the closest rival: similar 12.1MP sensor, slightly less zoom (4x vs 5x), but optical rather than digital stabilization, which matters more than the spec sheet suggests. Its screen also edges out the ST50’s on resolution.
The Nikon Coolpix L22 trades zoom range (3.6x) for a comparable sensor and its own stabilization system, which likely outperforms the ST50’s digital approach.
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W350 is the strongest competitor on paper — 14.1MP, matching 5x zoom, optical stabilization, and a sharper screen. If image quality is the priority, it’s worth the look.
5. Where It Wins and Where It Doesn’t
The good stuff: compact, good-looking, and simple enough to pick up cold. Daylight shots hold up well, the 5x zoom gives you room to frame a shot, and the battery lasts a full day without babysitting it.
The rough edges: that screen looks its age next to anything newer, digital stabilization is no substitute for optical, video never gets past VGA, and once it’s dark out, image quality falls off a cliff.
6. Bottom Line
The ST50 does what a casual point-and-shoot needs to do: it’s easy to carry, easy to use, and takes solid photos in daylight. The tradeoffs — VGA video, digital-only stabilization, a low-res screen — show up mostly if you push it past casual use. Anyone wanting better low-light performance or sharper video should look at the Sony W350 or Canon A1200 instead, but for straightforward everyday shooting, the ST50 holds its own.
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Tech Reviewer & Product Analyst
Định Bia has spent over 10 years testing consumer electronics with a focus on smart technology. He work as a product advisor at Biareview where he helped customers find the right devices for their needs. He personally tests every product featured on this site using a consistent evaluation framework covering quality, durability, and value. All reviews are based on experience, not influenced by the manufacturer.