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Samsung SL720 vs Samsung ST30

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Samsung SL720 front
 
Samsung ST30 front
Portability
98
Imaging
32
Features
18
Overall
26

Samsung SL720 vs Samsung ST30 Key Specs

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
  • Additionally referred to as PL70
Samsung ST30
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 0 - 0
  • 640 x 480 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • 87g - 82 x 52 x 17mm
  • Released January 2011
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Samsung SL720 vs Samsung ST30 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Samsung SL720 versus Samsung ST30, both Ultracompact cameras and both are sold by Samsung. The resolution of the SL720 (12MP) and the ST30 (10MP) is pretty close but the SL720 (1/2.3") and ST30 (1/3") have totally different sensor size.

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The SL720 was introduced 18 months earlier than the ST30 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the SL720 scores versus the ST30 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung SL720 over the Samsung ST30

 SL720 ST30 

Reasons to pick Samsung ST30 over the Samsung SL720

 ST30 SL720 
ReleasedJanuary 2011July 2009Fresher by 18 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Samsung SL720 and Samsung ST30

 SL720 ST30 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Samsung SL720 vs Samsung ST30 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera, you need to consider its weight and size. The Samsung SL720 has got physical dimensions of 92mm x 61mm x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 168 grams (0.37 lbs) and the Samsung ST30 has specifications of 82mm x 52mm x 17mm (3.2" x 2.0" x 0.7") along with a weight of 87 grams (0.19 lbs).

See the Samsung SL720 versus Samsung ST30 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the SL720 and the ST30.

Samsung SL720 vs Samsung ST30 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SL720 and ST30 is 94 and 98 respectively.

Samsung SL720 vs Samsung ST30 top view buttons comparison

Samsung SL720 vs Samsung ST30 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizing purely by researching specs. The visual here will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SL720 and ST30.

All in all, both of the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SL720 using its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Samsung SL720 will result in more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The older SL720 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Samsung SL720 vs Samsung ST30 sensor size comparison

Samsung SL720 vs Samsung ST30 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung SL720 vs Samsung ST30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung SL720 Portrait photography advice
Samsung ST30 Portrait photography advice
21
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
19
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Samsung SL720 Street photography features
Samsung ST30 Street photography features
47
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than average (168g)
54
lighter than competition in class (87g)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/3")
doesn't have RAW support
low maximum ISO (0)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung SL720
Sports photography with Samsung ST30
17
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
16
can't change focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung SL720 as a Travel photography camera
Samsung ST30 as a Travel photography camera
56
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than average (168 grams)
low megapixels (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
65
lighter than competition in class (87g)
built-in flash
fast maximum aperture (f)
lack of Timelapse function
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung SL720 Landscape photography features
Samsung ST30 Landscape photography features
27
decently wide (28mm)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
30
fast maximum aperture (f)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
no manual control
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/3")
low maximum ISO (0)
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung SL720
Vlogging with Samsung ST30
25
decently wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
no external mic socket
heavier than average (168 grams)
29
fast maximum aperture (f)
lighter than competition in class (87g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of external microphone socket
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Samsung SL720 vs Samsung ST30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung SL720 and Samsung ST30
 Samsung SL720Samsung ST30
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Samsung
Model Samsung SL720 Samsung ST30
Also Known as PL70 -
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Released 2009-07-14 2011-01-19
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 4.8 x 3.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 17.3mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 -
Min native ISO 80 -
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-102mm (3.6x) ()
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.7 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Crop factor 5.9 7.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.60 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow sync -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 800 x 592 (20 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) 640 x 480
Highest video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 168 grams (0.37 pounds) 87 grams (0.19 pounds)
Physical dimensions 92 x 61 x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") 82 x 52 x 17mm (3.2" x 2.0" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 model SLB-10A -
Self timer Yes -
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal -
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $119 $55