Samsung SL30 vs SL720: A Hands-On Comparison of Two 2009 Compact Cameras Worth Knowing

When digging into the evolving world of compact cameras from a decade ago, the Samsung SL30 and SL720 offer an interesting contrast. Both launched in 2009, these cameras were designed to appeal to casual shooters wanting decent zoom ranges and modest feature sets without breaking the bank. Yet, beneath their surface similarities, they exhibit key differences that influence photographic outcomes, usability, and overall value for different user types.

As someone who has spent over 15 years rigorously testing cameras across genres and price points, I’ve spent quite some time with this era’s crop of compacts for everyday and enthusiast shooting. In this detailed, 2500-word comparison, I’ll break down how the SL30 and SL720 stack up across usability, image quality, performance, and practical shooting needs - sharing insights you won’t readily pull from datasheets alone.

When Size and Handling Matter: Physical Design and Ergonomics

Before even snapping a frame, the best camera is one that feels right in your hands and fits your lifestyle. Both Samsung SL30 and SL720 are ultra-portables targeted at users who prize convenience, but subtle differences in their dimensions and weight impact handling.

At 94x61x23mm and 140g, the SL30 is slightly more compact and lighter than the SL720 (92x61x23mm, 168g). Though the SL720 is barely taller by 2mm, it feels a bit denser, largely due to its build and slightly larger screen. The thickness is identical, helping both slide easily into jacket or jeans pockets.

Handling wise, the SL720's slightly bulkier frame lends a modestly more confident grip, though neither features textured grips or complex controls - classic compact simplicity aimed at point-and-shoot ease. The SL30’s minimalistic form factor emphasizes ultimate portability, while the SL720 balances that with a bit more heft and presence.

Looking from above, the button and dial layout on both models diverges in subtle ways revealing targeted user intentions.

The SL30 sports a compact, straightforward top deck with the shutter, zoom rocker, and power button all tightly integrated. In contrast, the SL720 offers a more spacious layout with added clarity in the mode dial, easing operation for beginners fumbling with multiple modes. Both omit manual dials entirely - consistent with entry-level user profiles - but the SL720’s design feels a touch more refined and approachable for quick setting changes.

Overall, if pocketability is your top priority, the SL30 edges out. For users willing to compromise fractionally on size for better handling and interface clarity, the SL720’s ergonomics are more satisfying.

The Heart of the Matter: Sensor and Image Quality

Ultimately, a camera’s sensor and image processor dictate how those precious moments translate from visual to digital. Both of these Samsungs sport a 1/2.3” CCD sensor with similar physical dimensions (6.08x4.56mm sensor area), standard in compacts of their class. But the devil is in the details.

The SL30 packs a 10-megapixel resolution sensor yielding max images of 3648x2736 pixels, whereas the SL720 ups the ante slightly to 12MP at 4000x3000 resolution. The additional pixels on the SL720 can translate to marginally crisper captures and more cropping latitude, though at this sensor size, pixel density must be balanced against the risk of increased noise.

Both models have a maximum native ISO of 1600, but keep in mind, CCD sensors from this era tend to struggle with noise incrementation beyond ISO 400 or 800 in practical shooting. My experience shooting similar sensors tells me you’ll want well-lit conditions or sunlight to get the best from both cameras - and you'll quickly notice softness creeping in with digital zoom or in dim situations.

Neither camera offers RAW support, which limits post-processing flexibility - a significant drawback for enthusiasts who dabble with editing. All output is JPG, so getting exposure and white balance right in-camera becomes imperative.

Color reproduction on both is decent for the category, with the SL720 producing slightly more vivid colors perhaps helped by subtle improvements in image processing, but neither is a colorist’s dream. Expect skin tones to render naturally but sometimes oddly cool depending on lighting, affecting portrait outcomes - a point we’ll revisit.

The Viewfinder Void and LCD Screen Experience

In line with their compact designs and price points, neither the SL30 nor SL720 offer any kind of electronic or optical viewfinder. This naturally pushes composition reliance onto their rear LCD screens.

Here the SL720 has a slight edge, featuring a 2.7-inch fixed LCD versus the SL30’s 2.5-inch. Both share a resolution of 230k dots, which in 2024 terms feels very modest - particularly outdoors under bright sunlight where reflections and glare become a pain point.

The SL720’s bigger screen, albeit still non-touch and non-articulating, makes framing easier and reviewing images less straining. Neither has touch capability - a feature that only became more widespread in later compact generations - but the button controls around the screen are mapped reasonably well.

Both cameras offer standard live view, which feels basic by modern standards but suffices for casual framing in good light.

Lens and Zoom: What Can You Expect in Shooting Flexibility?

The fixed lens on these compact cameras is obviously non-interchangeable, but the zoom range and aperture tell us a lot about each camera’s intended flexibility.

The SL30 comes with a 38-114mm (3x optical zoom) lens at an aperture range of F2.8 to 5.7. The SL720 slightly widens the lens a bit to 28-102mm, also with 3.6x zoom and the same aperture range.

This means the SL720 starts wider at 28mm - no small bonus for landscapes or interiors where extra field of view comes in handy. While neither zoom range is transformative, the SL720’s greater wide-angle reach slightly enhances compositional versatility.

Neither model includes optical image stabilization - a critical omission that can seriously impact handheld shooting outcomes, especially at the telephoto end or in low-light. I’ve personally found lack of stabilization on compacts like these forces shutter speeds higher than you might want in many everyday scenarios, leading to motion blur or grainy ISO boosts.

In macro photography, both can focus down to 5 cm, which is respectable and allows casual close-up shots but lacks specialized macro lens precision or magnification you’d want for serious close-ups.

Autofocus: Fast Enough for Casual but Not Action

Samsung’s focus tech on these models uses contrast-detection AF with face detection (only on SL30), but no phase detection or continuous tracking.

The SL30 supports center-weighted and multi-area autofocus with face detection, giving it a slight edge in recognizing subjects - particularly portraits. However, focusing speed is predictable for its class: slow and occasionally hunting under less-than-ideal lighting or with low contrast subjects.

The SL720 dispenses with face detection but includes multi-area AF, making it a little less suited for portraits but competent in general focus acquisition.

Neither supports continuous autofocus, which limits usefulness for moving subjects. Burst rates are absent or minimal, so these cameras don’t cater to wildlife or sports photography needs.

If you're the kind of person who prioritizes quick, reliable focusing to capture fleeting moments - these offerings won’t impress.

Shooting Modes and Exposure Control: Simplicity or Constraint?

Neither camera has manual exposure controls, aperture priority, or shutter priority modes. They emphasize point-and-shoot automation with limited customization options.

Both feature auto flash with modes like red-eye reduction and slow sync, standard practice for consumer compacts. The SL30 shockingly lacks exposure compensation altogether - a frustrating omission if you want brightness control. The SL720 also doesn't support exposure compensation, maintaining the trend towards simplicity over control.

White balance control is present, with custom presets, but dynamic bracketing options for exposure or white balance are missing.

The bottom line here is neither camera empowers the user to control creative settings - hardly surprising given their 2009 target market, but noteworthy for enthusiasts used to some degree of manual input.

Video Capabilities: Basic but Functional

If video is on your radar, neither model was designed to shine here.

Both capture VGA (640x480) and smaller resolution video at maximum 30 frames per second. The SL720 offers marginally improved maximum resolution video at 800x592 at 20fps, but both rely on outdated Motion JPEG compression, leading to large files with modest quality.

Neither model includes microphone or headphone ports, so audio recording is basic and unmodifiable. Stabilization is absent, so video tends to be shaky when handheld.

For casual clips and snippets, they suffice. But if video is a critical use case, these cameras are non-starters in modern terms.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity: What You Need to Know

Battery life data is scarce (Samsung did not clearly specify), but given the compact form and CCD sensor power demands, expect moderate shooting endurance - somewhere around 200-300 images per charge.

The SL720 uses an SLB-10A battery proprietary to Samsung, while the SL30's battery details are not specified - possibly a similar removable lithium-ion pack.

Both cameras accept SD, SDHC, and MMC cards with single card slot options and support internal storage, which is rudimentary at best.

Connectivity is minimal: both have USB 2.0 ports for data transfer but no HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS capabilities. So, no modern instant sharing or geotagging.

Real-World Photography Experiences Across Genres

Let’s dive into how these cameras perform in practical photography settings from portraits to landscapes and beyond.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tone Rendering and Bokeh Effects

The SL30’s face detection autofocus helps achieve clearer focus on subjects' faces, a boon when snapping casual portraits. However, the lack of aperture control limits background blur effects, and the small sensor yields less creamy bokeh than larger sensor cameras.

Skin tones on both cameras are somewhat muted, especially indoors, needing careful lighting or post-adjustments. The SL720 without face detection demands more user care to keep subjects sharp.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Resolution

With essentially identical sensor sizes and sensors of modest dynamic range, neither camera excels at capturing high-contrast landscapes. Highlights tend to clip and shadow detail is limited.

The SL720's slightly higher resolution edges out a tiny bit more detail capture, but the lack of RAW and limited exposure adjustment cramp flexibility.

Neither offers environmental sealing, meaning they don’t suit rugged or wet conditions well - critical for outdoor work.

Wildlife and Sports Photography: Autofocus and Burst

Both cameras disappoint here - slow autofocus, no continuous AF, no burst shooting, and limited zoom ranges - constrain action or wildlife tracking.

If you want to freeze birds in flight or fast sports moments, these cameras simply can’t keep up.

Street Photography: Discreteness and Portability

Here, their compact size and quiet operation come into their own. The SL30’s excellent pocketability makes it an invisible companion during street strolls.

So long as lighting is decent, both cameras capture acceptable snapshots of urban life. Lack of viewfinders occasionally complicates composition in bright conditions.

Macro Photography: Close-Up Precision

The minimum focus distance of 5cm allows for decent casual macro framing but lacks fine manual focus or focus stacking features.

Both cameras perform similarly here, offering fun but limited close-up capabilities.

Night and Astro Photography: ISO Performance

CCD sensors with modest max ISO 1600 can get noisy quickly at high ISO, making night photography challenging.

Limited exposure controls and no bulb mode further restrict low-light creative options.

Video Shoots: Acceptable for Casual Use

Again, video features are basic but functional for family videos or short clips. Neither model’s video output meets modern standards in sharpness or sound quality.

Travel Photography: Balancing Versatility and Size

The compact designs make both easy travel companions, with the SL720's wider angle lens a slight advantage over the SL30 for capturing tight interiors or monuments.

Battery life and lack of wireless connectivity may annoy power users on the move.

Professional Work: Limited but Sometimes Sufficient

Neither camera supports RAW shooting, manual exposures, or rugged build quality - constraints that remove them from serious professional work.

Reliability, Build Quality, and Durability

Both cameras lack weather sealing, shockproofing, or freezeproofing - so avoid exposing them to harsh outdoor conditions. The build materials feel plastic but well-assembled.

Neither camera’s buttons are illuminated, limiting nocturnal usability.

Putting It All Together: Who Should Buy the Samsung SL30 or SL720?

Here’s a practical summary to help decide based on needs and budgets.

Choose the Samsung SL30 if:

• You want absolute pocket portability and ultra-lightweight compactness
• Prioritize face detection AF for casual portraits
• Budget constraints put it comfortably under $100
• Your shooting is mainly in daylight with low demand for zoom or aperture control
• You desire a very simple, no-fuss camera with basic point-and-shoot capability

Opt for the Samsung SL720 if:

• You need a slightly wider-angle lens for versatile framing (28mm vs 38mm start)
• Prefer a larger, easier-to-use rear screen for composition and review
• Want marginally higher resolution images (12MP instead of 10MP)
• Don’t mind the slight increase in size and weight for better handling
• Your budget stretches toward $120 for a better-value ultracompact experience

How They Stack Up Overall: Performance Scores and Genre Breakdown

To provide a snapshot, here is an overall performance rating based on tested metrics and shooting experience.

Neither camera scores highly in autofocus speed or low-light usability, but they claim points for portability and ease of use. The SL720 takes a slight lead due to resolution and ergonomics.

Drilling down to genre-specific strengths -

The SL30 performs best in portraits and street photography where light and simplicity help. The SL720 edges landscapes and travel thanks to the wider zoom and screen.

Final Thoughts: Small Cameras with Big Caveats

Both the Samsung SL30 and SL720 are archetypal budget compacts of the late 2000s - great for snapshots, daylight travel, and amateur photo fun but limited when pushed beyond casual use. Their small sensors, lack of RAW, and minimal controls make them poor fits for enthusiasts or professionals craving creative latitude.

Nevertheless, their ease of use, solid (if uninspiring) image quality, and ultracompact forms mean they still hold appeal as “grab-and-go” cameras for casual shooters who want to archive life simply without smartphone fuss.

If you’re after more performance or versatility, it’s worth considering newer compacts or entry-level mirrorless cameras which have since revolutionized sensor tech, autofocus, and video.

But if you stumble across one of these as a budget-friendly collectible or backup, they still shoot decent JPEGs and remind us how far tiny cameras have come.

Sample Shots for Your Appreciation

To wrap things up, here are sample images from both cameras across different scenarios. Note the softness, moderate noise, and color rendering we discussed - classic compact camera traits.

Samsung SL30 front Samsung SL30 screen back Samsung SL720 front Samsung SL720 screen back

In sum: Two small compacts, tuned for different flavors of ease-of-use photography in an era before smartphones dominated. Knowing their strengths and limitations will help you make a perfectly practical choice - or appreciate just how far consumer camera tech has sprinted ahead.

Happy shooting!