Canon SX50 HS vs Samsung SL720: An In-Depth Hands-On Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

When you’re hunting for a camera - whether to upgrade an aging model or embark on a new photography adventure - the choices can feel overwhelming. Two cameras that often pop up in the entry-level to mid-range category are the Canon PowerShot SX50 HS and the Samsung SL720, both announced several years ago but still relevant to budget-conscious buyers who want solid performance with distinct styles. I’ve spent the better part of my career testing thousands of cameras, and I’m excited to give you a thorough, no-nonsense comparison of these two, based on real-world use, deep tech knowledge, and practical photography use cases.

So, grab a cup (or a club for your thumb - more on that later), and let’s explore how these two stack up.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

Before delving into specs, it’s crucial to understand how these cameras feel in the hands during shooting. After all, a camera that is awkward to handle will rarely deliver the results you want.

The Canon SX50 HS is an SLR-like bridge camera boasting a chunky 595-gram frame and dimensions of 123 x 87 x 106 mm. Its heft is immediately noticeable; you carry it like a small DSLR with a built-in superzoom lens. For me, this kind of weight is a tradeoff - it truly feels like a proper camera, with sufficient heft for stability, especially when you’re shooting telephoto.

By contrast, the Samsung SL720 is an ultracompact camera, weighing just 168 grams and measuring 92 x 61 x 23 mm. This baby fits in your pocket alongside your smartphone and wallet. Ergonomically, though, the slim body and tiny buttons aren’t the best friends of photographers with larger hands or those who like manual controls.

The layout of physical controls further differentiates these two. Check this out:

The Canon's top deck reveals multiple dials and dedicated buttons for exposure, drive modes, and zoom. It’s designed for quick thumb and finger access. The Samsung, however, takes a minimalist approach, aiming to keep things simple for point-and-shoot users, but with fewer options for the knob-wielding enthusiast.

Bottom line on handling: If you crave physical controls, an SLR grip, and better ergonomics for extended shoots, the Canon SX50 HS is the clear winner. The Samsung SL720 is great for casual, grab-and-go shooting but not for clutching in freezing rain or extended trips.

Sensor & Image Quality: Can Small Sensors Punch Above Their Weight?

Both cameras use similarly sized sensors (1/2.3 inch), but the sensor technology and processor make a big difference.

The Canon uses a 12 MP backside-illuminated CMOS sensor paired with the Digic 5 processor. This combination delivers respectable dynamic range (11.2 EV per DxO), good color depth (20.3 bits), and surprisingly decent low-light ISO performance (ISO 179 per DxO) - in relative terms for small sensor cameras.

The Samsung SL720 houses a 12 MP CCD sensor, which was typical for compacts back in 2009, but CCDs tend to lag CMOS in noise handling and overall image quality. Its maximum native ISO tops out at 1600, but image noise quickly becomes evident beyond ISO 400.

Real-World Impact

• Portraits: The Canon SX50 HS’s CMOS sensor handles skin tones and color gradations more naturally, and its Digic 5 processor enables decent noise suppression without muddy texture. The Samsung’s CCD sensor delivers softer images with less punch and struggles more with noise in dim conditions.

• Landscape: The Canon’s superior dynamic range translates to better preserving highlight and shadow detail, critical for sweeping landscapes. Samsung’s narrower dynamic range tends to clip highlights and crush shadows faster.

Both cameras top out at 12 megapixels, which is enough for moderate-sized prints. However, Canon’s improved sensor technology gives it the edge in image richness and post-processing flexibility.

Display and Viewfinder: Your Window to the World of Photography

Let me take you through how you compose and interact with each camera.

Canon SX50 HS sports a 2.8-inch fully articulated LCD with 461k-dot resolution. The articulating screen is a boon - great for low or high-angle shots, or self-portraits thanks to the swivel. Its electronic viewfinder (EVF) offers 100% coverage at 202k-dot resolution, making eyeball framing possible, even under bright sun. While the EVF lacks high resolution compared to modern mirrorless cameras, it provides a clear advantage over cameras with no viewfinder.

The Samsung SL720 has a fixed 2.7-inch LCD with just 230k dots, noticeably dimmer and less sharp. What’s more, no viewfinder at all, so you’re stuck with composing on the LCD, which can be tricky in direct sunlight.

For outdoor and action shooting, the Canon’s EVF and articulated screen combination offer much more versatility.

Autofocus and Zoom: Putting the ‘Snap’ in Snapshot

Performance in AF speed and zoom capability really differentiates these two cameras for various photography types.

• The Canon SX50 HS excels here with a 50x optical zoom lens covering 24-1200mm equivalent - massively versatile for wildlife, sports, and distant landscapes. Autofocus uses contrast-detection with 9 focus points, including face detection for portraits, and offers single, continuous, and tracking AF modes.

• The Samsung SL720 sticks to a modest 3.6x zoom, 28-102mm equivalent. AF is contrast-detection only with a single focus mode, no tracking or face detection.

Continuous shooting on the Canon is a slow-ish 2 fps, but this is common in bridge cameras with superzooms and is serviceable for casual wildlife or sports shots. Samsung lacks continuous shooting options, limiting it mostly to single shots.

For fast and variable-focus needs - wildlife, sports, or even street photography where moments vanish in an instant - the Canon SX50 HS is hands down more capable.

Let's Dive Into Photography Use Cases: Who Should Pick Which?

By now you’ve got the basics down. But what about real-world photography genres? Here’s my take based on extensive hands-on use, including lab testing and field shooting.

Portrait Photography

• Canon SX50 HS: Face detection autofocus works reliably, and optical image stabilization helps with handheld shots. The large zoom range lets you create nice background blur at longer focal lengths (albeit moderate bokeh as aperture isn’t very wide). Skin tones render naturally, thanks to the color depth and processor.

• Samsung SL720: Limited by fixed focal length and lack of face detection, portraits can feel flat. Macro focusing is okay down to 5cm, but no real background separation or depth of field control.

Recommendation: Canon’s SX50 HS is the choice for portraits, especially if you want to experiment with distance and framing creatively.

Landscape Photography

• Canon SX50 HS: With a 24mm wide angle and 12 MP sensor with reasonable dynamic range, the Canon performs decently. The articulating screen aids shooting at awkward angles - think cactus tops or rocks. However, no weather sealing: be wary of rain and dust.

• Samsung SL720: Wider angle of 28mm minimum is decent for compact standards, but narrower dynamic range and weaker sensor limit image quality. No weather sealing either, and the fixed screen can handicap composition flexibility.

Recommendation: Slight edge to Canon for landscape enthusiasts who want more scope and image quality, but neither camera is a rugged outdoors tool.

Wildlife & Sports Photography

• Canon SX50 HS: The 50x zoom is perfect for distant subjects, and while AF isn’t blazing fast, it is good enough for casual wildlife and slower sports action. Optical image stabilization is a big plus when handholding long reach lenses.

• Samsung SL720: Zoom and AF speed won’t cut it for wildlife or sport. Only useful for close, well-lit subjects.

Recommendation: Canon SX50 HS is your pick here if you want telephoto versatility on a budget.

Street Photography

• Canon SX50 HS: Bulkier and less discreet. But adjustable controls and zoom range mean you can compose creatively without missing a moment.

• Samsung SL720: Lightweight and pocketable, a low-profile travel companion. But the slower AF and fixed zoom limit quick reactions.

Recommendation: For candid street shots, Samsung SL720 wins portability, but for flexibility, Canon is better.

Macro Photography

• Canon SX50 HS: Close focus is listed as 0 cm, which means the lens can focus very close, allowing for decent macro shots. Optical stabilization helps tackle the shallow depth of field.

• Samsung SL720: Macro focusing down to 5cm is decent for fixed-lens compacts, but no stabilization to assist.

Recommendation: Canon takes the crown for more serious macro work.

Night & Astro Photography

• Canon SX50 HS: Max native ISO 6400 and decent noise control enable usable low-light shots. Manual modes allow longer shutter exposure (up to 15 seconds) - handy for star trails. However, noise increases drastically above ISO 800.

• Samsung SL720: ISO limited to 1600 with very noisy output makes night shooting challenging. Max shutter speed 8 seconds can handle some night scenes but without stabilization or RAW, results are compromised.

Recommendation: Canon SX50 HS is the better option for night enthusiasts.

Video Capabilities

• Canon SX50 HS: Offers Full HD 1080p video at 24 fps, encoded in H.264. No external mic or headphone jacks, but optical image stabilization helps with handheld footage.

• Samsung SL720: Max video resolution is VGA (640x480) at 30fps in Motion JPEG (old-school, large files and poor compression). Limited for serious video use.

Recommendation: Canon SX50 HS is a straightforward winner for casual HD video content.

Travel Photography

• Canon SX50 HS: Versatility with zoom covers most scenarios; battery life rated at 315 shots is decent, though not outstanding. At nearly 6cm thick, more of a "travel companion" than ultra-portable.

• Samsung SL720: Compact size and light weight shine here. Battery life info is scant, but lightweight means you can carry spares easily.

Recommendation: For strict travelers who prioritize portability, pick Samsung. For ultimate shooting versatility, Canon.

Professional Workflows

Neither camera targets professional use. With Canon’s RAW support and manual controls, it can supplement certain workflows, especially in casual or enthusiast contexts. Samsung lacks RAW and many pro features.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers weather sealing or protection against dust/water. The Canon’s larger, heavier chassis feels tougher, but avoid wet or dusty environments with both.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

• Canon SX50 HS: Uses NB-10L battery, rated for ~315 shots. Storage via SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, supported by USB 2.0 and HDMI output for direct playback.

• Samsung SL720: Uses SLB-10A battery, no official battery life specified (likely fewer than Canon’s). Storage supports SD and MMC cards. USB 2.0 only; no HDMI.

No wireless options on either.

Price-to-Performance: What Does Your Dollar Buy?

At original launch prices, Canon SX50 HS was around $429 and Samsung SL720 about $119. That’s a big leap in dollars and features.

If you’re a cheapskate looking for a simple point-and-shoot, the Samsung SL720 delivers modest image quality in a stylish, ultra-compact package.

If you demand zoom power, manual control, and better image quality - and are willing to carry a chunkier camera - the Canon SX50 HS offers considerably better value for serious shooting across genres.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Visual Proof: Sample Gallery & Performance Scores

Here’s a quick peek at sample images from both cameras in varied lighting conditions and subjects.

Canon SX50 HS front Canon SX50 HS screen back Samsung SL720 front Samsung SL720 screen back

And how they score across broad performance categories (courtesy of DxOMark and my own test lab):

Breaking down by photography genre performance reveals Canon’s sizable lead in every area except ultra-compact portability:

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy Which?

• Choose Canon SX50 HS if:

  • You want an all-rounder capable of tackling wildlife, sports, macro, landscapes, and decent video.
  • You prefer manual controls and RAW shooting.
  • You’re okay with carrying a larger, heavier camera.
  • Zoom reach (50x) is a priority.
  • Better low-light performance is essential.

• Choose Samsung SL720 if:

  • Portability and pocketability are your main concerns.
  • You want a budget-friendly, stylish compact for casual snaps.
  • You don’t need manual controls or high zoom.
  • You’re okay with VGA-quality video and limited ISO.

Final Thoughts from a Hands-On Expert

Having juggled these cameras through several test shoots, workshops, and travels, I must say that the Canon SX50 HS’s blend of power zoom, flexible controls, and decent image quality still makes it a compelling buy in an era flooded with minimalist compacts.

The Samsung SL720, meanwhile, is a classic ultracompact snapshot machine - great for clubbing, family events, or as a pocket travel backup. But if you’re venturing seriously into photography, it simply can’t keep up technically or ergonomically.

I hope this comparison helps you cut through marketing noise and get real value from whichever camera ends up in your hands. Remember, thoughtful equipment choices always start with what you want to do behind the lens!

Happy shooting! If you want some tailored advice for your own photographic adventures, drop a line - I’m always happy to help.

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