Samsung 16 Megapixels ST93 Compact Review by CNET UK With Rating 2/5

On April 20 2011, Samsung announced the ST93 compact camera, replacing the existing ST90 model. The 16 Megapixels CCD-based camera offers a 5x optical zoom lens starting at a useful 26mm to 130mm equivalent. Maximum aperture varies from f/3.3 to f/5.9, across the zoom range. 

The Samsung ST93 includes what the company calls 'Dual IS', a two-pronged approach to fighting blur from camera shake, consisting of optical image stabilization, and digital techniques that likely work by raising ISO sensitivity and/or performing deblurring. The Samsung ST93 also features 720p HD video recording, a Panorama mode, the company's latest Smart filters (Vignetting, miniature, half-tone dot, palette, and a new soft focus effect) and Magic Frame templates (Wall Art, Retro Film, Ripple, Full Moon, Retro Record, and Classic TV). The ST93 will cost £129.99 in the UK. It is currently not been announced in the US. Here's the summary of review by CNET UK, giving the camera a rating of 2 out of 5:

"To get the best results you really need well-lit surroundings. It had a tendency to demand the flash in what we would consider fairly bright situations where the flash would have little effect anyway because the framing encompassed so large an area. When we manually suppressed it, the ST93 responded by dialling up its sensitivity, as we would expect, but with a corresponding impact on the quality of the picture. In situations where the level of light made it possible to both minimise the sensitivity setting and increase the shutter speed to a level suitable for hand-held operation, the results were much improved. This picture of St Paul's Cathedral reflected in a chrome ball demonstrates good, sharp edges to the ball and an excellent dynamic range with good, even colour levels across the full spectrum. Our interior still life test threw up some mixed results. Under studio lighting the ST93 performed very well, dropping its sensitivity to ISO 80 and the shutter speed to 1/60, which helped keep noise to a minimum (we were using a tripod on this occasion). When we switched to ambient lighting it naturally had to increase the sensitivity to ISO 640 and slowed the shutter speed yet further to 1/20 second, at which point there was a noticeably increased level of noise in the image. It found a happy medium when we forced the flash, producing a sharp, well exposed result, full of crisp detail and realistic colours. 

The ST93 has much going for it. Battery, size and firmware features all earn it some serious ticks. Where it really matters, though -- the quality of its pictures -- it's more difficult to recommend. Those 16 megapixels sure sound appealing, but in reality it's too many for the sensor to handle. This is a shame, as Samsung has an excellent pedigree when it comes to producing top-notch cameras. Check out the company's WB700, which earned itself four stars and high praise in our review. It may be another two-thirds more expensive than this example, but if you can afford it, then it would be money very well spent."