Pocket-Sized Showdown: Canon ELPH 310 HS vs Samsung SL720 - Which Ultracompact Camera Wins in 2024?

In today’s smartphone arena, why bother with a dedicated ultracompact camera? For the photography enthusiast or even the working pro seeking a lightweight backup, these little powerhouses still have their place. They offer distinct controls, optical zooms, and sometimes better image quality than phones, all in pocket-friendly packages. Two models often cited from the low-budget, travel-ready category are the Canon ELPH 310 HS (aka IXUS 230 HS) and the Samsung SL720 (aka PL70). Though neither is fresh off the press, their enduring presence means they remain relevant for budget-conscious buyers or second-cam seekers.

I’ve spent hours shooting with both, testing against a broad range of photography criteria - from portraits and landscapes to casual travel snapshots. Here’s my comprehensive, hands-on comparison, digging beyond specs into how they actually perform in real-world conditions.

First, The Feel: Size, Ergonomics, and Build Quality

When choosing any camera, the way it sits in your hand is more than just comfort - it influences your shooting stability and overall user experience.

Both the Canon ELPH 310 HS and Samsung SL720 sit comfortably in the palm given their ultracompact stature, but there are subtle ergonomic differences you’ll appreciate or dislike depending on your grip style.

• Canon ELPH 310 HS measures 96 x 57 x 22 mm and weighs 140 grams. It’s impressively slim, with a clean, sleek design that slides easily into a pocket or small bag.
• In comparison, the Samsung SL720 is slightly chunkier at 92 x 61 x 23 mm, weighing in at 168 grams, giving it a bit more heft that some may find adds stability.

The Canon’s controls prioritize simplicity with fewer buttons and a more minimalist layout. The Samsung tries to pack in more physical buttons and a rocker-style zoom control that, while functional, can feel fiddly when shooting quickly.

Neither camera has dedicated clubs for your thumbs or rubberized grips, so prolonged shooting sessions can get slippery, especially in humid or wet conditions. Neither offers any weather sealing - a standard expectation in today’s travel cameras but absent here, reflecting their basic build.

Ergonomics verdict: If your priority is ultralight portability and minimalism, the Canon edges out the Samsung. For folks who like a bit more grip and tactile feedback, the SL720’s slightly bulkier body is worth considering.

Seeing Is Believing: Display and Viewfinder Considerations

Neither camera sports an electronic viewfinder - no surprise given their class - but the rear LCD displays are prime interfaces for framing shots and reviewing images.

• The Canon ELPH 310 HS offers a 3.0-inch PureColor II G TFT LCD with 461K dots, delivering relatively sharp and bright previews. The wider screen means you get a better framing canvas, especially useful when shooting landscapes or group shots.
• The Samsung SL720 has a smaller 2.7-inch display at only 230K dots, which looks noticeably grainier and is harder to see in bright sunlight.

Both lack touchscreen functionality, which can be a downside if you prefer focus-by-tap or menu navigation with swipes.

From my practical shooting sessions, the Canon’s larger, crisper screen is a winner, making it easier to confirm focus and composition. The Samsung’s screen felt cramped and sometimes frustrating under direct light.

Under the Hood: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

This is where things get interesting, and also a bit complicated. The sensor lies at the heart of any camera's image potential.

Both cameras employ a 1/2.3-inch sensor - standard in compact cameras - but there is a crucial difference in sensor technology:

• Canon ELPH 310 HS: Uses a 12MP Back-Side Illuminated CMOS (BSI-CMOS) sensor, designed to improve light gathering efficiency, especially under low-light conditions.
• Samsung SL720: Uses a 12MP CCD sensor, the older technology known for natural color rendition but hampered by slower readout speeds and less sensitivity.

My hands-on testing confirms these theoretical strengths.

Image Quality Insights

• Low Light and Noise: The Canon’s BSI-CMOS sensor handles ISO up to 3200 natively and produces noticeably cleaner images at ISO 800 and above. Images remain more detailed with less visible noise, great for indoor shots, night scenes, or dimly lit venues.

  The Samsung’s CCD sensor maxes out ISO 1600, and above ISO 400, noise degrades image quality relatively quickly. It’s better suited to daylight shooting or well-lit environments.

• Dynamic Range: Canon’s CMOS exhibits superior dynamic range, meaning it captures more detail in shadows and highlights, reducing blown-out skies or crushed blacks - a plus for landscape shooters. Samsung’s CCD shows limited latitude, resulting in quicker highlight clipping.

• Color Reproduction: The Samsung’s CCD sensor creates vibrant, punchy colors with a natural warm cast, often favored in portraits. Canon's colors feel a little cooler and more neutral - preferable for accurate skin tones and landscape authenticity.

• Resolution and Sharpness: Both deliver full 12MP (4000 x 3000 px) images with an anti-aliasing filter; sharpness is comparable in daylight. At higher ISO or challenging light, Canon maintains better detail.

Verdict: For image quality, especially in varied lighting, Canon’s newer sensor tech gives it a measurable edge.

Glass Matters: Lens Performance, Zoom, and Macro

Ultracompacts come with fixed lenses, but their zoom ranges and aperture performance are critical for creativity and flexibility.

• Canon ELPH 310 HS has an 8x optical zoom covering 28-224mm equivalent focal length, aperture range F3.0-5.9.
• Samsung SL720 offers a more modest 3.6x zoom from 28-102mm at F2.8-5.7.

Longer reach on the Canon means it can tackle moderate telephoto work - useful for candid portraits, street shots, or distant subjects. Its lens aperture is slightly narrower at the wide end (F3.0 vs F2.8), but considering the zoom jump, the tradeoff is acceptable.

The Samsung’s wider aperture at 28mm (F2.8) is useful for low-light wide-angle shots, but once zoomed in, it’s roughly comparable to Canon’s F5.7-5.9.

Macro Focusing

• Canon boasts a 1cm macro focus, letting you get impressively close to tiny subjects - think flowers or insects.
• Samsung’s closest is 5cm, reasonable but less versatile for extreme close-ups.

Image Stabilization

Canon includes optical image stabilization, a big help in handholding at full telephoto and in low light, reducing blur and jitter. Samsung has no image stabilization - a sticking point for anyone shooting beyond broad daylight.

From my practical experience, Canon’s stabilized lens feels like a distinct advantage for casual wildlife and street shooters, while the Samsung can be frustrating in dimmer scenes or at full zoom in shaky hands.

Autofocus, Shooting Speed, and Real-World Responsiveness

For on-the-go shooting, a camera’s autofocus (AF) system and burst capabilities can make or break.

• Canon ELPH 310 HS uses contrast-detection AF with 9 focus points and face detection, including continuous AF and tracking. It supports AF in live view mode, and the AF was accurate and reasonably speedy for the class.

• Samsung SL720 has a simpler contrast-detection system with no face detection and fewer focus points, which means slower and less reliable AF performance. Live autofocus works but is prone to hunting in low light.

Continuous shooting is a modest 3 fps on Canon; the Samsung does not specify a burst rate but is generally slower.

From my field tests:

• Canon’s AF is the clear winner in locking onto faces or moving subjects, helpful for casual portraits, family events, or street shooting.
• Samsung’s AF feels laggy, making it best suited to static or posed subjects.

Flash and Exposure Controls

A built-in flash can pull you out of tight lighting spots.

Both cameras have a pop-up flash:

• Canon’s flash reaches 4.0 m, offers Auto, On, Off, Red-eye Reduction, and Slow Sync.
• Samsung’s flash range is slightly better at 4.6 m and supports similar flash modes plus fill-in lighting.

Neither camera offers manual exposure controls, aperture/shutter priority, or exposure compensation, which will frustrate enthusiasts seeking creative exposure tweaks. ISO adjustments are limited but present in Canon’s case.

The lack of any RAW capture option means post-processing latitude will be limited for both.

Video Capabilities: Stepping Beyond Stills

If you like shooting casual video, what do these ultracompacts offer?

• Canon ELPH 310 HS shoots Full HD 1080p at 24 fps with H.264 compression - respectable for its era and category. It also supports 720p at 30 fps and offers slow-motion options at 120-240 fps in lower resolutions.
• Samsung SL720 maxes out at 640x480 resolution at 30 fps (MJPEG format), more or less standard-definition video, reflecting older tech.

Canon clearly offers a superior video package suitable for YouTube beginners or travel bloggers needing HD clips. Samsung’s limited video capability will feel outdated.

Neither camera has external mic or headphone jacks, so sound quality relies on the built-in mic.

Battery Life and Connectivity

• Canon uses the NB-4L rechargeable battery, rated for approximately 210 shots per charge - enough for moderate outings without frequent recharges.
• Samsung depends on the SLB-10A battery, with no official battery life specs available, but user experience suggests lower endurance.

Both cameras rely on a single SD/SDHC/SDXC storage slot.

Regarding connectivity: Neither offers wireless (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth), NFC, or GPS functionality, so image transfer and geotagging are manual and a bit old-school.

Sample Images and Genre-Specific Use Cases

To illustrate real-world performance, I shot a variety of scenarios with both cameras on the same day and under similar lighting.

Canon ELPH 310 HS front Canon ELPH 310 HS screen back Samsung SL720 front Samsung SL720 screen back

Portrait Photography

• Canon’s face detection and continuous AF nailed consistent sharpness on eyes, with natural skin tones and attractive background blur at full zoom. Bokeh isn’t as creamy as you’d get on larger sensors, but still serviceable.
• Samsung struggled with focus locking and exhibited harsher colors, less flattering for casual portraits.

Landscape

• Canon’s wider zoom and dynamic range captured scene details impressively, with more tonal gradation in skies.
• Samsung’s colors popped but clipped highlights and lost shadow detail quickly.

Wildlife and Sports

• Canon’s longer zoom, faster autofocus, and 3 fps burst give it an edge for casual wildlife and sports snapshots.
• Samsung’s zoom capped short and AF lag means missed moments here.

Street Photography

• Canon’s small size and optical stabilization help with quick, discreet shots.
• Samsung’s slower AF and smaller screen reduce street shooting agility.

Macro

• Canon’s 1cm focusing distance outshone Samsung’s 5cm, enabling more creative close-ups.

Night / Astro

• Canon’s high ISO and longer shutter support make night shooting viable.
• Samsung’s superior AF absence and noisier sensor limit its app here.

Video

• Canon’s Full HD video looks fine for vlogging or simple movies.
• Samsung’s VGA-quality video feels obsolete.

Travel

Both cameras suit travel thanks to compact dimensions, but Canon’s greater versatility, better battery life, longer zoom, and HD video make it more travel-ready.

How Do They Stack Up Overall? Performance Scores

I’ve aggregated key performance areas into an overall rating framework.

Canon dominates in image quality, low light, AF, versatility, and video. Samsung holds ground mostly in color rendition and slightly better flash range.

Performance by Photography Genre

Breaking down scores by common genres:

Canon ELPH 310 HS is the preferable choice for most genres: portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, street, macro, night, video, and travel. Samsung SL720 may appeal as an entry-level traveler or daylight snapshotter needing simple operation with extra punchy color.

Final Verdict: Which Ultracompact Suits Your Style and Budget?

Canon ELPH 310 HS - The All-Rounder Pocket Rocket

• Strengths: Superior image quality, versatile 8x zoom, optical stabilization, HD video, face-detection AF, larger screen.
• Weaknesses: No RAW capture, no manual exposure modes.
• Best for: Travel photographers, casual portrait and landscape shooters, vloggers on a budget.
• Price point: Around $400 new (often less second hand).

Samsung SL720 - Basic Budget Backup for Sunny Day Shooters

• Strengths: Fast f/2.8 wide aperture lens, punchy colors.
• Weaknesses: No image stabilization, weaker AF system, dated sensor, VGA video only.
• Best for: Cheapskates wanting a lightweight point-and-shoot for daylight snaps.
• Price point: Around $120.

Recommendations for Different Users

Closing Thoughts

I realize recommending a nearly decade-old camera as a “best budget choice” may feel like a cheat in the fast-moving camera world. But ultracompact cameras like the Canon ELPH 310 HS still hold up today more than you’d expect, especially when you cannot carry bulky gear. The Samsung SL720 offers a compelling cheap alternative if you want something ultra-basic with a splash of style.

If you are serious about image quality, flexibility, and futureproofing - even on a tight budget - Canon’s ELPH 310 HS is the reliable ultracompact champ. Its blend of modern sensor tech, image stabilization, and user-friendly features makes it extremely useful even alongside today’s smartphones.

Thanks for reading my detailed assessment. I hope it helps you choose wisely, whether you’re expanding your photography toolkit or hunting for a trusty pocket companion.

Safe shooting!

• • A fellow camera geek who’s put thousands of shots through these little marvels.*