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Pentax X-5 vs Samsung SL720

Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Pentax X-5 front
 
Samsung SL720 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung SL720 Key Specs

Pentax X-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
  • Launched August 2012
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
  • Launched July 2009
  • Also Known as PL70
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Pentax X-5 vs Samsung SL720 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Pentax X-5 and Samsung SL720, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Ultracompact by companies Pentax and Samsung. There exists a sizeable gap among the resolutions of the X-5 (16MP) and SL720 (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The X-5 was announced 3 years later than the SL720 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Samsung SL720 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the X-5 matches up against the SL720 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Samsung SL720

 X-5 SL720 
LaunchedAugust 2012July 2009Fresher by 38 months
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung SL720 over the Pentax X-5

 SL720 X-5 

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Samsung SL720

 X-5 SL720 
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung SL720 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Pentax X-5 features external dimensions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") having a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) while the Samsung SL720 has measurements of 92mm x 61mm x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 168 grams (0.37 lbs).

See the Pentax X-5 and Samsung SL720 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the X-5 against the SL720.

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung SL720 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the X-5 and SL720 is 65 and 94 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung SL720 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung SL720 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizing just by checking out specs. The photograph underneath might offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the X-5 and SL720.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Pentax X-5 to provide more detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots more aggressively. The younger X-5 should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung SL720 sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung SL720 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung SL720 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax X-5
Portrait photography with Samsung SL720
43
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
offers face detect focus
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
21
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 Street photography advice
Samsung SL720 Street photography advice
50
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
more heavy than others in class (595g)
47
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
more heavy than competitors (168 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Sports photography camera
Samsung SL720 as a Sports photography camera
52
amazing zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
offers tracking focus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
17
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X-5 Travel photography details
Samsung SL720 Travel photography details
53
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (22mm)
very long zoom (580mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than others in class (595g)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
56
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors (168g)
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X-5 Landscape photography details
Samsung SL720 Landscape photography details
47
has manual focus
fairly wide (22mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
27
pretty wide (28mm)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 Vlogging factors
Samsung SL720 Vlogging factors
26
fairly wide (22mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone port
more heavy than others in class (595 grams)
25
pretty wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have microphone jack
more heavy than competitors (168 grams)
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Pentax X-5 vs Samsung SL720 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Samsung SL720
 Pentax X-5Samsung SL720
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Samsung
Model type Pentax X-5 Samsung SL720
Alternate name - PL70
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Launched 2012-08-22 2009-07-14
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 22-580mm (26.4x) 28-102mm (3.6x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.8-5.7
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 230 thousand dot -
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 8s
Max shutter speed 1/1500s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 4.60 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 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 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 595 gr (1.31 lb) 168 gr (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 92 x 61 x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 330 photographs -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID 4 x AA SLB-10A
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $230 $119