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Olympus TG-870 vs Samsung SL720

Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
46
Overall
43
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 front
 
Samsung SL720 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26

Olympus TG-870 vs Samsung SL720 Key Specs

Olympus TG-870
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Push to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 221g - 113 x 64 x 28mm
  • Introduced January 2016
  • Superseded the Olympus TG-860
Samsung SL720
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28-102mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 168g - 92 x 61 x 23mm
  • Introduced July 2009
  • Additionally referred to as PL70
Photography Glossary

Olympus TG-870 vs Samsung SL720 Overview

In this write-up, we are looking at the Olympus TG-870 versus Samsung SL720, both Ultracompact digital cameras by competitors Olympus and Samsung. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the TG-870 (16MP) and SL720 (12MP) but they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The TG-870 was unveiled 6 years after the SL720 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before going through a detailed comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the TG-870 scores versus the SL720 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-870 over the Samsung SL720

 TG-870 SL720 
IntroducedJanuary 2016July 2009More modern by 79 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung SL720 over the Olympus TG-870

 SL720 TG-870 

Common features in the Olympus TG-870 and Samsung SL720

 TG-870 SL720 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Olympus TG-870 vs Samsung SL720 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus TG-870 enjoys outside measurements of 113mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") having a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs) whilst the Samsung SL720 has dimensions of 92mm x 61mm x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") having a weight of 168 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check the Olympus TG-870 versus Samsung SL720 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose during that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the TG-870 versus the SL720.

Olympus TG-870 vs Samsung SL720 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-870 and SL720 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Olympus TG-870 vs Samsung SL720 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-870 vs Samsung SL720 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizes purely by going over specs. The picture here will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-870 and SL720.

All in all, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You should anticipate the Olympus TG-870 to offer you greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos a little more aggressively. The fresher TG-870 should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-870 vs Samsung SL720 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-870 vs Samsung SL720 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-870 vs Samsung SL720 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus TG-870
Portrait photography with Samsung SL720
36
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
features face detect autofocus
no manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
21
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-870 as a Street photography camera
Samsung SL720 as a Street photography camera
65
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
heavier than average (221 grams)
47
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
more heavy than competition (168 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-870 as a Sports photography camera
Samsung SL720 as a Sports photography camera
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
weather proof
great battery pack (300 CIPA)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
17
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-870 as a Travel photography camera
Samsung SL720 as a Travel photography camera
69
great battery pack (300 shots)
weather proof
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (21mm)
heavier than average (221 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
56
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (168g)
low MP (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-870 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung SL720 as a Landscape photography camera
50
relatively wide (21mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
weather proof
great battery pack (300 CIPA)
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
27
pretty wide (28mm)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Vlogging advice
Samsung SL720 Vlogging advice
32
relatively wide (21mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of mic support
heavier than average (221g)
25
pretty wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of external microphone port
more heavy than competition (168g)
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Olympus TG-870 vs Samsung SL720 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-870 and Samsung SL720
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870Samsung SL720
General Information
Brand Olympus Samsung
Model Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 Samsung SL720
Also called - PL70
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Introduced 2016-01-06 2009-07-14
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Max enhanced ISO 12800 -
Min native ISO 125 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 21-105mm (5.0x) 28-102mm (3.6x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.7 f/2.8-5.7
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.00 m (at ISO 1600) 4.60 m
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 221 gr (0.49 lbs) 168 gr (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 113 x 64 x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") 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 300 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model Li-50B SLB-10A
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $280 $119