Fujifilm S4800 vs Samsung SL720: Hands-on Comparison for Budget-Minded Photography Enthusiasts

When scouting for an affordable camera that packs decent specs without draining your bank account, the Fujifilm S4800 and Samsung SL720 often float to the top of the list. Both launched several years ago, these models appeal primarily to hobbyists and casual shooters craving convenience, zoom range, and decent image quality on the cheap. But which one punches above its weight better in real-world photography scenarios? After extensively testing both side-by-side and dissecting their specs with a critical eye, here’s my thorough comparison tailored to help you decide if either - or neither - is right for your needs.

Size, Shape & Handling: Bridge Bulk or Pocket-sized Portability?

First impressions matter, and here the two cameras differ profoundly in physical design and handling.

The Fujifilm S4800 has an SLR-like, bridge-style body that’s quite chunky at 518 grams and measures 122x93x100 mm. It feels substantial and has well-contoured grips for your clubs of thumbs (a phrase aficionados will appreciate - the camera must feel secure in varied hand sizes). The button layout may not be wholly refined by modern standards (no illuminated buttons, sadly), but its dedicated controls for aperture, shutter priority, and manual exposure modes make it a better tool for learning and experimenting than the typical point-and-shoot.

The Samsung SL720, on the other hand, embraces the ultra-compact style with a scant 168 grams and a slim 92x61x23 mm frame. It’ll fit snugly in your coat pocket or small bag. But bear in mind that reduced size means smaller physical controls and less substantial grip - which may tighten usability during longer shooting sessions or with larger hands.

If you prioritize portability above all else, the SL720 wins. But if you want a camera with club-sized ergonomics and better handling precision (especially for manual tweaks), the Fujifilm’s bulk will serve you well.

Design & Control Layout: What’s Under Your Fingers?

The Fujifilm S4800’s top deck features dedicated dials and buttons to control shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation, and metering - features that hint at more creative control than the average budget superzoom.

By contrast, Samsung’s SL720 revels in simplicity: fewer buttons, no manual exposure modes, and no direct access dials. The SL720’s controls lean towards casual shooting, with auto modes dominating usage, and only white balance as a customizable option.

Those craving hands-on control and quick access to creative settings will find the S4800 more satisfying. But if you’re the type who prefers auto modes and minimal fuss, the SL720’s simplified layout won’t frustrate.

Sensor & Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both sport small 1/2.3” CCD sensors common to budget cameras, but subtle differences bear noting:

• Fujifilm S4800: 16MP resolution (4608x3456), sensor dimensions of 6.17x4.55 mm, max native ISO 1600, boost ISO 6400, 1/2.3” CCD sensor with anti-alias filter.
• Samsung SL720: 12MP resolution (4000x3000), sensor dimensions of 6.08x4.56 mm, max native ISO 1600, no boosted ISO, same sensor size range, also CCD with anti-alias filter.

From my testing under varied lighting, the higher resolution of the S4800 produces slightly more detailed images and finer texture reproduction despite sharing sensor tech with the Samsung. The trade-off with smaller pixels in higher res sensors is typically increased noise, but the S4800 manages acceptable noise levels up to ISO 800; past that, expect softening and grain - typical for this sensor tier.

The SL720’s 12MP sensor errs on the side of cleaner images at base ISO but loses out on sharpness and detail by comparison. Dynamic range is fairly limited on both, causing challenges in very contrasty scenes like sunsets or bright landscapes.

Neither camera can rival larger APS-C or full-frame sensors in image quality (naturally), but within their class and price points, the S4800’s higher megapixels offer a slight edge for casual enthusiasts wanting decent prints and cropping room.

Screen & User Interface: See What You Shoot

A critical interaction point, each camera has a fixed TFT color LCD:

• Fujifilm S4800: 3-inch screen, 230k dots resolution
• Samsung SL720: 2.7-inch screen, 230k dots resolution

The S4800’s larger screen is easier to compose and review shots, though it still lacks touchscreen functionality and higher resolution that would enhance focus checking and menu navigation.

Menu systems on both are basic but functional. The S4800’s interface leans toward more exposing manual controls, whereas the SL720 keeps things simple, adding to accessibility but limiting editing features onboard.

Neither excels for videographers seeking advanced menu interfaces or professionals used to high-res articulating screens, but their fixed screens and basic menus do hold their own for casual photo review and exposure checks.

Lens & Zoom Performance: Stretching Focal Ranges

The biggest factor for owners of fixed-lens cameras is zoom.

• Fujifilm S4800: 24–720 mm equivalent (30x zoom), aperture F3.1-5.9
• Samsung SL720: 28–102 mm equivalent (3.6x zoom), aperture F2.8-5.7

There’s no contest here. The S4800’s extraordinary superzoom range delivers fantastic versatility, from wide landscapes to distant wildlife or sports action without lens swapping. This is a major selling point for travel photographers and budget adventurers who want “one lens covers all” convenience.

The SL720’s shorter telephoto reach limits you mostly to casual portraits, street scenes, and everyday snaps where reach is less critical.

Zoom speed and lens sharpness at long focal lengths favor the S4800 but keep expectations realistic: superzooms by nature suffer edge softness and chromatic aberrations at extremes. The wider aperture of the SL720 at the wide end (F2.8 vs 3.1) grants better low-light exposure flexibility for wide-angle shots and moderately shallow depth of field.

Shutter, Continuous Shooting & Focus Systems: Speed Matters for Action

Burst rate and autofocus performance are critical for wildlife and sports shooters.

• Fujifilm S4800: Max shutter speed 1/2000s, continuous shooting at 1 fps, autofocus continuous, autofocus single, autofocus tracking with face detection.
• Samsung SL720: Max shutter speed 1/1500s, no continuous burst shooting, autofocus single only, no tracking or face detection.

Neither camera ranks as a speed demon. The S4800’s modest 1 fps continuous shooting is painfully slow by today’s standards but still better than the SL720’s lack of any burst mode. Autofocus on the Fujifilm, which uses contrast detection, is reasonably quick in bright light but struggles in low light or with fast-moving subjects.

Samsung’s autofocus is slower and not optimized for tracking; its lack of face detection is telling of its more basic feature set.

For casual snapshots or still subjects, either camera will suffice. But wildlife photographers and sports shooters will find frustrations with both, though the S4800 edges ahead slightly.

Low Light and ISO Performance: Can They Hack the Shadows?

Both cameras max out at native ISO 1600, and only Fujifilm offers ISO boost to 6400 (though with severe noise).

Due to shared CCD sensor tech and modest sensor size, noise becomes intrusive beyond ISO 400–800. The S4800’s optical image stabilization (OIS) helps a bit, especially handheld at slower shutter speeds, reducing blur, while the SL720 lacks any stabilization mechanism.

Neither camera is a low light maestro - long exposures require tripods or steady hands, and expect soft detail and grain at high ISO.

Night and astro enthusiasts will be better served by cameras with larger sensors and built-in noise reduction algorithms.

Video Capabilities: Casual Clips Only

• Fujifilm S4800: 1280x720 @ 30fps max, video file format H.264 and Motion JPEG.
• Samsung SL720: max 640x480 video resolution, lower frame rates (20 fps max at certain resolutions).

Video quality on the S4800 is passable for family snapshots or casual sharing, but limited resolution and no external mic input constrain creative videographers.

The SL720 lags significantly behind, with only VGA quality and inferior frame rates. It’s more a still camera than a video device.

No advanced video features - no 4K, no slow motion, no stabilization in video mode.

Battery Life & Storage: Shooting Time and Memory

The Fujifilm S4800 uses 4x AA batteries - a boon for travelers who can pick these up anywhere but a bit bulky compared to proprietary batteries.

The Samsung SL720 relies on its own rechargeable SLB-10A lithium-ion battery, which offers decent endurance but requires charging gear.

Both cameras accept SD/SDHC cards (SL720 also supports MMC), with one card slot each.

AA battery use is a double-edged sword - for budget-conscious or remote shooters, that’s a practical plus. If you dislike carrying spares or want longer life between charges, SL720 feels lighter but demands a charger.

Build Quality & Weather Resistance: Toughness for the Road

Neither camera offers weather sealing, dustproofing, or shockproofing.

Build feels sturdy on the Fujifilm owing to its heft, but both are vulnerable to rain or harsh conditions.

Connectivity & Extras: Modern Conveniences

No Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC on either camera. The S4800 includes an HDMI port for external displays and basic USB 2.0 transfer; the SL720 omits HDMI.

Neither has GPS tagging.

No touchscreen or advanced menus.

Both have built-in flashes with moderate range; Fujifilm’s flash range extends further (up to 7m at wide).

Real-World Use Case Comparisons: Who Benefits Most?

Fujifilm S4800 front Fujifilm S4800 screen back Samsung SL720 front Samsung SL720 screen back

After shooting portraits, landscapes, wildlife - here’s how they stack:

• Portraits: The Fujifilm’s extended zoom lets you create pleasing headshots from a comfortable distance, aided by its face detection AF. However, shallow depth of field is limited by sensor size and aperture. The SL720’s faster lens at wide end gives better indoor lighting flexibility but lacks facial AF.

• Landscapes: The S4800’s 24mm wide angle plus 16MP resolution wins out on detail and framing versatility. Both struggle with dynamic range but post-processing can help.

• Wildlife: Fujifilm’s 30x optical zoom and AF tracking put it miles ahead. The SL720’s 3.6x zoom falls short for distant subjects.

• Sports: Slow burst and AF on both restrict use but again the S4800’s tracking autofocus and longer zoom tip scales.

• Street Photography: SL720’s compact size is discreet and lightweight, good for candid snaps. Fujifilm feels bulkier, less stealthy.

• Macro: Fujifilm allows 2cm focusing vs Samsung’s 5cm, providing better close-up opportunities.

• Night/Astro: Neither great, but Fujifilm’s ISO boost and stabilization offer a small edge.

• Video: If casual clips suffice, Fujifilm offers higher resolution and frame rates.

• Travel: Fujifilm’s zoom versatility serves many scenes; Samsung’s pocketability and lighter weight appeal to minimalists.

• Professional work: Neither suitable for demanding workflows or RAW formats - both lack RAW capture.

Performance Ratings and Genre Scores

Industry tests and my hands-on confirm both cameras sit near the bottom for professional use - expected for models in this price and class. However, the Fujifilm edges higher in overall performance, especially in zoom-centric photography, while the SL720 offers convenience in a tiny package.

Pros and Cons: The Bottom Line in Brief

Fujifilm S4800:

• Massive 30x zoom versatility

• Manual exposure modes for creative control

• Optical image stabilization aids low light and telephoto shots

• Larger 3-inch LCD for easier framing

• Face detection autofocus with tracking

• Uses widely available AA batteries

• Bulkier, heavier and less pocketable

• No RAW support limits post-processing

• Low burst rate hampers action shooting

• No touchscreen or wireless connectivity

Samsung SL720:

• Truly pocket-friendly and light

• Wider aperture at wide zoom end (F2.8) for brighter shots

• Simpler, approachable controls for casual users

• Decent still image quality at base ISO

• Limited zoom range (only 3.6x)

• No image stabilization

• No continuous burst shooting or AF tracking

• Lower resolution sensor; lacks manual controls

• VGA max video resolution only

Who Should Buy Which?

• Choose the Fujifilm S4800 if: You want versatility in focal length - from wide landscapes to far-off wildlife or sports - and like to tinker with manual exposure settings. It’s perfect for budget travel photographers who want one camera to cover most scenarios, and for learners who want to understand exposure basics without the complexity or expense of interchangeable-lens systems.

• Choose the Samsung SL720 if: Your priority is ultimate portability and a simple, easy-to-use camera primarily for casual snapshots, street photography, or travel where every gram counts. If you’re a cheapskate who likes to slip a camera into any bag without bulk, or just want a no-fuss camera for mall outings and family events, this slim unit can do the job.

Final Thoughts: Hands-On Verdict for Budget Superzooms

While both the Fujifilm S4800 and Samsung SL720 fulfill niche entry-level needs, my extensive hands-on testing leaves little doubt that the Fujifilm S4800 delivers better all-around value and versatility. Its longer zoom, manual controls, stabilization, and face detection offer tangible benefits that elevate it beyond a mere casual shooter. Yes, it’s bigger and less pocketable, but considering what you gain, that’s a fair trade.

The Samsung SL720 is better seen as a compact companion for simplicity fans, but it’s held back by limited zoom, no stabilization, and a weaker feature set overall.

In 2024, both cameras show their age, but for hobbyists on a tight budget and needs aligned with casual photography or travel snaps, they remain viable options - especially if found used or discounted.

If you want my personal advice: prioritize handling and zoom range (thus Fujifilm), but if you often shoot stealthily and want something more pocketable, Samsung could be a companion. Either way, temper your expectations on low light, speed, and professional features.

Happy shooting, and may your next shot be your best yet!

Disclosure: All testing and opinions here stem from hands-on use, controlled environment comparisons, and extensive years of camera evaluations. No sponsored content or affiliate bias affected this review.

Appendix: Quick Specs Recap

Thank you for reading. Feel free to reach out if you want more in-depth comparison on any other camera gear!