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Olympus TG-860 vs Samsung SL720

Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
42
Overall
41
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 front
 
Samsung SL720 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26

Olympus TG-860 vs Samsung SL720 Key Specs

Olympus TG-860
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 224g - 110 x 64 x 28mm
  • Released February 2015
  • Later Model is Olympus TG-870
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
  • Released July 2009
  • Alternate Name is PL70
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Olympus TG-860 vs Samsung SL720 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Olympus TG-860 and Samsung SL720, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Ultracompact by rivals Olympus and Samsung. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the TG-860 (16MP) and SL720 (12MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The TG-860 was manufactured 5 years later than the SL720 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before delving through a detailed comparison, below is a brief view of how the TG-860 grades against the SL720 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-860 over the Samsung SL720

 TG-860 SL720 
ReleasedFebruary 2015July 2009More recent by 68 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung SL720 over the Olympus TG-860

 SL720 TG-860 

Common features in the Olympus TG-860 and Samsung SL720

 TG-860 SL720 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-860 vs Samsung SL720 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus TG-860 provides external dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") with a weight of 224 grams (0.49 lbs) while the Samsung SL720 has measurements of 92mm x 61mm x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") along with a weight of 168 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus TG-860 and Samsung SL720 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select at that moment. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the TG-860 vs the SL720.

Olympus TG-860 vs Samsung SL720 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the TG-860 and SL720 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Olympus TG-860 vs Samsung SL720 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-860 vs Samsung SL720 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to visualise the gap between sensor measurements simply by going over specs. The visual underneath will help provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-860 and SL720.

All in all, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Olympus TG-860 to deliver greater detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots far more aggressively. The fresher TG-860 will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus TG-860 vs Samsung SL720 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-860 vs Samsung SL720 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-860 vs Samsung SL720 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus TG-860
Portrait photography with Samsung SL720
36
good megapixels (16MP)
supports face detection focus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
21
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-860 Street photography factors
Samsung SL720 Street photography factors
69
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
47
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
heavier than competitors in class (168g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-860 Sports photography highlights
Samsung SL720 Sports photography highlights
49
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
17
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-860 Travel photography factors
Samsung SL720 Travel photography factors
71
weather proofing
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (21mm)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
56
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors in class (168 grams)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus TG-860
Landscape photography with Samsung SL720
48
fairly wide (21mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
weather proofing
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
27
reasonably wide (28mm)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-860 Vlogging details
Samsung SL720 Vlogging details
33
fairly wide (21mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have external mic support
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
no external mic port
heavier than competitors in class (168 grams)
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Olympus TG-860 vs Samsung SL720 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-860 and Samsung SL720
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860Samsung SL720
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Samsung
Model type Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 Samsung SL720
Also Known as - PL70
Class Waterproof Ultracompact
Released 2015-02-06 2009-07-14
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 21-105mm (5.0x) 28-102mm (3.6x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.7 f/2.8-5.7
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m (at ISO 1600) 4.60 m
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p) 800 x 592 (20 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Yes None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 224g (0.49 lb) 168g (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") 92 x 61 x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 300 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID Li-50B SLB-10A
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $279 $119