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Canon SX500 IS vs Samsung SL720

Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Samsung SL720 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26

Canon SX500 IS vs Samsung SL720 Key Specs

Canon SX500 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 341g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
  • Introduced August 2012
  • Refreshed by Canon SX510 HS
Samsung SL720
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28-102mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 168g - 92 x 61 x 23mm
  • Announced July 2009
  • Alternative Name is PL70
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Canon SX500 IS vs Samsung SL720 Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Canon SX500 IS vs Samsung SL720, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Ultracompact by brands Canon and Samsung. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the SX500 IS (16MP) and SL720 (12MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX500 IS was launched 3 years after the SL720 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX500 IS being a Compact camera and the Samsung SL720 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go through a in depth comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the SX500 IS matches up vs the SL720 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Samsung SL720

 SX500 IS SL720 
AnnouncedAugust 2012July 2009More modern by 38 months
Manually focus More precise focusing
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung SL720 over the Canon SX500 IS

 SL720 SX500 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Samsung SL720

 SX500 IS SL720 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Canon SX500 IS vs Samsung SL720 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX500 IS has exterior measurements of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") and a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) and the Samsung SL720 has measurements of 92mm x 61mm x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") and a weight of 168 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX500 IS vs Samsung SL720 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the SX500 IS against the SL720.

Canon SX500 IS vs Samsung SL720 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SX500 IS and SL720 is 80 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Samsung SL720 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Samsung SL720 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizes purely by looking at specs. The image underneath will provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SX500 IS and SL720.

All in all, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can expect the Canon SX500 IS to give more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The younger SX500 IS should have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Canon SX500 IS vs Samsung SL720 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Samsung SL720 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Samsung SL720 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography info
Samsung SL720 Portrait photography info
46
focusing manually
above average flash sync speed (1/1,600s)
MP count good (16MP)
comes with face detect focusing
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
20
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Street photography features
Samsung SL720 Street photography features
51
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
47
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
heavier than average in class (168 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Sports photography factors
Samsung SL720 Sports photography factors
44
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (195 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
17
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Travel photography highlights
Samsung SL720 Travel photography highlights
59
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
low battery (195 shots)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
55
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than average in class (168g)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Landscape photography factors
Samsung SL720 Landscape photography factors
46
focusing manually
quite wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
low battery (195 shots)
lack of Timelapse recording
27
relatively wide (28mm)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Vlogging advice
Samsung SL720 Vlogging advice
28
quite wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone support
25
relatively wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external mic socket
heavier than average in class (168g)
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Canon SX500 IS vs Samsung SL720 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Samsung SL720
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISSamsung SL720
General Information
Company Canon Samsung
Model Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Samsung SL720
Otherwise known as - PL70
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Introduced 2012-08-21 2009-07-14
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) 28-102mm (3.6x)
Max aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/2.8-5.7
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.00 m 4.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/1600 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 800 x 592 (20 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 341 gr (0.75 lbs) 168 gr (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 92 x 61 x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 195 photos -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6L SLB-10A
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $299 $119