Canon SX720 HS vs Samsung TL210: A Thorough Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right compact camera often feels like threading a needle through a labyrinth: balancing resolution, zoom range, image quality, usability, and price. Today, we pit two cameras from different eras and philosophies head-to-head: the Canon PowerShot SX720 HS (2016) and the Samsung TL210 (2010). Both are pocketable, fixed-lens compacts but born in different technological climates - can Canon’s newer 20MP superzoom dethrone Samsung’s ultracompact from half a decade prior? I have tested both extensively under controlled and field conditions, and this article will dissect their capabilities across key photography genres and technical parameters, guiding you toward the best fit.

Design and Handling: Compact with Purpose vs. Pocketable Simplicity

Starting with body size and ergonomics, the Canon SX720 HS is a compact superzoom with dimensions of 110x64x36mm and a weight of 270g, whereas the Samsung TL210 is a more diminutive ultracompact at 99x59x20mm weighing just 177g. The SX720's larger mass accommodates a far longer zoom lens and a physically bigger battery, factors that influence comfort and shooting endurance.

Despite its small size, the Canon SX720 offers a solid polycarbonate build with thoughtful ergonomics. Its grip is sufficiently molded to provide secure handling during telephoto shots, which become essential with its 40x zoom capability. Controls are streamlined yet versatile, accessible without digging through menus - a boon in fast-paced situations.

Contrast this with the Samsung TL210, whose ultraslim profile adds substantial portability appeal. Designed for casual users valuing pocketability, its smooth, minimalistic design sacrifices traditional dials and physical buttons in favor of simplicity. The camera is stable in hand for quick snaps but tends to feel slippery especially when fully zoomed. It's a classic point-and-shoot form factor catering to convenience over manual control.

Regarding control layout, the Canon’s top plate features dedicated dials and buttons enabling shutter priority, aperture priority, manual exposure, and exposure compensation, allowing more nuanced creative input. Samsung’s TL210 does not provide manual exposure modes, limiting users to mostly automatic settings - a notable consideration for enthusiasts.

In summary, if you prioritize handling tailored to longer focal lengths and creative control, the Canon SX720 HS ergonomics edge above the Samsung’s. However, for ultralight carry and spontaneity, the TL210 may still appeal.

Sensor and Image Quality: BSI-CMOS Breakthrough Meets CCD Legacy

The essence of digital image quality revolves around the sensor and image processing pipeline. The Canon SX720 HS employs a 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor with 20.3 megapixels, while the Samsung TL210 uses a 1/2.3" CCD sensor with a 12-megapixel count. Both share similar physical sensor dimensions - approximately 6.1 x 4.5 mm - but the Canon’s backside-illuminated CMOS sensor architecture significantly advances low-light performance and dynamic range.

The BSI-CMOS design effectively captures more photons by placing wiring behind the pixel layer, increasing sensor sensitivity and reducing noise. The SX720’s DIGIC 6 processor further improves image clarity, noise reduction, and color reproduction. By contrast, the Samsung’s older CCD sensor, while capable of decent image quality under bright light, tends to generate more noise at higher ISO settings and cannot match the Canon’s fast readout speeds.

Testing reveals that the Canon SX720 HS excels in daylight scenes, capturing crisp details with well-balanced colors and minimal chromatic aberration, despite the very high focal length pushing lens limits. Under dim lighting or indoor settings, the BSI-CMOS sensor maintains cleaner shadows and less color artifacting, allowing for ISO 800 to 1600 shots usable without heavy noise reduction.

In comparison, the Samsung TL210 produces respectable daylight images but struggles under moderate to low light. Images tend to look softer, and noise aggressively emerges beyond ISO 400. The limited resolution also curtails cropping potential.

Neither camera offers RAW format capture, limiting post-processing flexibility - a drawback for professionals but common among compact cameras of their classes and times.

For vibrant color fidelity, both cameras use different image processing feedback loops, but Canon’s DIGIC 6 sustains more natural skin tones, lending the SX720 HS a distinct advantage for portraits and general photography.

Zoom and Lens Versatility: 40x Superzoom vs. 5x Ultracompact

A defining feature of the SX720 HS is its 40x optical zoom covering 24-960mm equivalent focal lengths. This zoom range allows everything from wide-angle landscapes to distant wildlife or sports subjects. The maximum aperture varies from f/3.3 at wide to f/6.9 at full telephoto, standard for such a superzoom. The camera also achieves an impressive macro focus distance as close as 1cm, enabling detailed close-ups.

The Samsung TL210 sports a 5x zoom lens spanning 27-135mm equivalent, considerably shorter than the Canon's range, with maximum aperture f/3.5 to f/5.9. Its macro focusing floor rests at 5cm, respectable but less versatile for extreme close-ups.

In practical testing:

• The SX720 HS’s 40x zoom excels in wildlife and sports contexts, delivering detailed subjects from long range without swapping lenses. While image sharpness softens somewhat at max zoom - inevitable due to diffraction and lens construction - the image stabilization compensates for shake satisfactorily.

• The TL210’s 5x zoom suits street, travel, and everyday snapshots, where ultra-long focal lengths seldom come into play. It maintains good edge-to-edge sharpness within this range and facilitates quicker framing with less bulk.

Both cameras include optical image stabilization, critical for telephoto sharpness at slower shutter speeds. Canon’s stabilization benefits from newer algorithms, resulting in steadier shots at maximum zoom compared to Samsung’s older mechanism.

So, Canon’s SX720 HS takes the crown for zoom versatility and telephoto reach, essential for adventure and wildlife photographers. Consumers favoring uber compactness and simplicity might find the TL210’s lens sufficient for casual use.

Autofocus and Exposure: Precision with Limits

For autofocus (AF), the Canon employs a contrast-detection system with 9 focus points and face detection, including liveview AF modes. The TL210 also has contrast-detect AF but lacks face detection and offers fewer focus options.

In real-world performance:

• The SX720 HS autofocus is generally responsive and accurate, locking quickly on main subjects and tracking faces with reasonable reliability. Continuous AF and AF tracking modes perform acceptably for static and moderately moving targets but do not compete with modern phase-detection AF in DSLRs or mirrorless cameras.

• The Samsung TL210’s AF is noticeably slower and occasionally hunts in lower contrast conditions due to lack of face detection and fewer focus assist features.

Exposure controls reflect their design philosophies. The Canon offers manual exposure modes (P, Tv, Av, M) and exposure compensation, enabling fine-tuned control for enthusiasts. Meanwhile, the Samsung limits users to automatic modes with minimal manual override - no shutter or aperture priority - making it less appealing for creative photographers.

Both cameras provide built-in flash units with various modes. Canon’s flash range extends slightly further (4m vs. 3.4m), supporting better fill lighting in moderate scenarios.

Display and Interface: Viewing and Interaction

Moving to the rear display, the Canon SX720 HS comes with a 3-inch fixed LCD with 922k-dot resolution. The Samsung TL210 slightly ups the diagonal size to 3.5 inches but with a significantly lower resolution of 230k dots - noticeably less sharp and detailed.

In the field, Canon’s higher-resolution screen renders more accurate previews, enabling better assessment of focus and exposure, whereas Samsung’s is grainier and less vibrant. Neither camera features touchscreens or articulating panels, which limits interactive autofocus point selection or flexible shooting angles.

The Canon includes NFC connectivity for swift pairing with mobile devices, facilitating image transfers - an appreciated modern convenience absent from the Samsung.

Video Capabilities: HD with Limitations

Video recording capabilities offer another dimension to assess.

• The Canon SX720 HS shoots Full HD 1080p video at 60fps, using the H.264 codec for efficient compression with decent quality. It also supports 720p and VGA modes.

• The Samsung TL210 tops out at 720p video at 30fps utilizing Motion JPEG compression, which leads to larger file sizes and reduced image quality, especially under motion.

Neither camera has microphone or headphone jacks, limiting audio options.

During testing, the Canon’s video exhibits smoother motion, better autofocus tracking, and improved low light footage compared to Samsung’s dated implementation that suffers from noise and artifacts. Optical stabilization assists video steadiness on the Canon, although not perfectly eliminating handshake.

For casual video capture, the Canon is the superior choice, but dedicated videographers will still find these cameras basic.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations

Battery life is a critical practical point. The Canon SX720 HS uses an NB-13L rechargeable lithium-ion pack rated for roughly 250 shots per charge. The Samsung TL210 uses an SLB-07B battery but official life ratings are unavailable.

Testing endurance, the Canon proves consistent but modest in battery longevity for a compact; extended shooting sessions will require carrying spare batteries. The Samsung’s battery performs adequately but tends to drain faster due to older technology and lack of power-saving refinements.

Storage-wise, Canon accepts SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, offering the flexibility of higher capacities and faster speeds. Samsung, conversely, stores to MicroSD/MicroSDHC cards and has internal memory, presenting convenience but with more limited expansion and slower performance.

Genre-Specific Performance: Who Excels Where?

This section reveals the practical strengths and weaknesses of each camera across common photography disciplines, distilled from hands-on tests.

Canon SX720 HS front Canon SX720 HS screen back Samsung TL210 front Samsung TL210 screen back

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Basic Protection

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, waterproofing, or ruggedized features - common in compact cameras aiming for casual users. The Canon’s build feels more robust for general outdoor use, but users seeking weather resistance will need to look beyond these models.

Connectivity and Extras

The Canon SX720 HS supports built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, HDMI out, and USB 2.0, facilitating ease of image sharing and tethered use. The Samsung TL210 lacks wireless connectivity but includes HDMI and USB 2.0 ports.

Neither camera boasts GPS, which some travel photographers might miss but is not a dealbreaker here.

Value and Price-to-Performance Analysis

At their launch and current market prices (Canon ~$379, Samsung ~$230), the Canon SX720 HS offers significantly more features, improved image quality, and versatility - backed by five additional years of sensor and processing technology progress.

The Samsung TL210, while cheaper and pocket-friendly, feels decidedly outdated. Its image quality, exposure control limitations, and video capabilities restrict it to casual users who prize compactness above all.

Putting It All Together: Which Camera Should You Choose?

Here's a snapshot of who benefits most from each model:

• Choose the Canon SX720 HS if:

  • You require a superzoom bridge-style compact suitable for wildlife, sports, travel, and varied shooting scenarios.
  • You want solid image quality for portraits and landscapes with decent low light performance.
  • You value manual controls such as shutter and aperture priority for creative flexibility.
  • You prioritize video recording in Full HD with stabilization.
  • Wireless connectivity for quick image sharing matters.
  • You can accept a larger camera size and slightly lower battery endurance.

• Choose the Samsung TL210 if:

  • You demand the smallest, lightest possible pocket camera for casual snapshots and street photography.
  • Your shooting needs are predominantly outdoors in well-lit settings or snapshots with limited zoom.
  • You prefer simplicity and near-automatic operation.
  • Budget constraints demand a sub-$250 option.
  • Video is not a priority beyond basic 720p.

Conclusion: Evolving Compact Cameras, Layered Trade-Offs

Through direct testing across various lighting conditions, subjects, and modes, the Canon SX720 HS consistently delivers more versatility and better image quality than the Samsung TL210. The SX720 HS’s larger sensor, hybrid advanced processor, extended zoom range, and manual controls address a broad range of photographic needs, appealing to enthusiasts seeking a flexible travel or hobbyist camera that occupies the friendly bridge category.

Meanwhile, Samsung’s TL210, impressive in its day for ultra-portability and user friendliness, now feels limited but remains a lightweight companion for casual users desiring simple point-and-shoot convenience without fuss.

For photographers aiming at specific genres - wildlife, sports, macro, or night astrophotography - the Canon SX720 HS generally outperforms, especially where zoom range, AF, and low light capability matter. Professionals requiring RAW files, weatherproofing, and top-tier image fidelity will look beyond either camera to mirrorless or DSLR systems but can still appreciate the SX720’s achievements as a capable compact bridge camera.

If you are on a tight budget or prioritize portability above all, the Samsung TL210 can serve as a no-frills photographic sidekick, but expect compromises.

Final Assessment:

The Canon PowerShot SX720 HS is the better all-around camera for hybrid photographic demands and technological prowess typical of mid-2010s compacts. The Samsung TL210 appeals mainly to those seeking ultra-compact design and simplicity from an earlier generation, with understandable performance limitations relative to newer rivals.

I hope this detailed, hands-on comparison helps you weigh the technical and creative trade-offs intelligently. Feel free to reach out for further insights on matching cameras to your photographic ambitions!