Samsung SL720 vs Sigma DP1s

Samsung SL720 vs Sigma DP1s: A Deep Dive Into Two Vintage Compacts from 2009

In the world of compact cameras, 2009 was an interesting year. On one hand, you had Samsung’s ultracompact SL720, aimed at casual users craving portability yet decent zoom; on the other, Sigma’s niche-focused DP1s, targeting serious enthusiasts and professionals who prized large sensor quality and manual control in a pocketable form. Both cameras reflect an era poised between point-and-shoot simplicity and the rising mirrorless revolution, yet they couldn’t be more different beasts.

Over the years, I’ve tested thousands of cameras, from flagship DSLRs to tiny digitals. To really understand what these two models offer, I dug into their specs, ergonomics, image output, and real-world usability - thinking not just about pixel counts, but about how they handle in hand, their autofocus accuracy in varied lighting, and suitability across genres from landscapes to street shooting.

Let’s unravel this comparison, piece by piece, and find out which camera shines brightest in today’s enthusiast landscape - or if either remains relevant at all.

First Impressions: Size and Handling in Daily Use

Right out of the gate, the SL720 and DP1s occupy quite different physical and ergonomic spaces.

The Samsung SL720 is an ultracompact camera with a tidy chassis measuring 92x61x23mm and weighing only 168 grams. It’s clearly designed as a true pocket companion, easy to slip into a coat or pants pocket for casual outings or travel. Its lens zoom range (28-102mm equivalent) fits versatile use, but with no manual focus, it simplifies shooting to majorly automatic control.

The Sigma DP1s, by contrast, is a large sensor compact camera (APS-C sensor size) in a boxier body (109x60x31mm) and heavier at 270 grams. Not bulky by any standard, but it feels more deliberate in hand - less about casual snapshots and more aimed toward controlled photographic expression. It sports a fixed focal length lens (28mm equivalent), leaning on optical quality rather than zoom versatility.

In my hands, the SL720’s smaller size is a treat for grab-and-go moments; its control scheme is fairly basic, suitable for those wanting point-and-shoot convenience. The DP1s demands a more engaged approach - you’ll notice this especially if you value manual exposures and refined composition. Personally, I appreciated the slightly heftier build of the DP1s during longer shoots for its steadier grip but found the SL720 more pocketable and instinctive for spontaneous shots.

Top View and Control Layout: Intuitive or Complicated?

Controls are where the user experience either delights or frustrates - especially for cameras with less tactile input like compacts.

Looking at the top view of both cameras:

SL720 keeps things simple - a few buttons and dials with sensible labeling, yet no dedicated manual focus or exposure controls. This reflects Samsung’s philosophy for the SL720: straightforward usability over complexity, helpful if you want to nail your shot quickly without changing settings.

Sigma DP1s, meanwhile, offers actual manual exposure modes - shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual, along with exposure compensation. For photographers who enjoy tweaking these settings, it’s a step up. But the DP1s does not have autofocus modes beyond contrast detection single AF, no face detection, and no continuous AF, pushing you toward deliberate focus. The absence of a viewfinder on both cameras means reliance on the LCD screen for composition, which should concern some photographers in bright sunlight.

Both models lack touchscreens and have fixed displays with basic resolutions, but at least the DP1s supports manual focus with a physically adjustable focus ring - a plus for macro or landscape work requiring fine focus.

Sensor Technology, Resolution, and Image Quality

This is the core differentiator: sensor size and technology dramatically shape image results.

Samsung SL720 sports a 1/2.3 inch CCD sensor with 12 megapixels resolution (4000 x 3000 pixels) and native ISO range 80-1600. Such sensors were common in 2009 compacts, offering good pixel density, but limited dynamic range and low-light performance. The CCD might yield pleasant colors but risks noise creeping in at higher ISOs.

Sigma DP1s is equipped with a 20.7 x 13.8 mm APS-C sized CMOS sensor, which is about 10 times larger in area than the SL720’s. Not just any CMOS, but the Foveon X3 sensor - a unique design capturing full color information per pixel depth-wise rather than the Bayer filter approach used in most others. Although only 5 megapixels (2640 x 1760 pixels) in output resolution, the color fidelity and detail due to Foveon layering are often praised. Max ISO tops out at 800, which represents Sigma’s conservative approach to noise management.

I put both cameras through standardized chart tests and various lighting scenarios. Unsurprisingly, the DP1s delivers superior image quality thanks to its large sensor area - cleaner shadows, richer colors, and noticeably less noise at base ISO. The SL720, while capable in bright daylight, struggles with noise past ISO 400 and lacks nuanced tonal transitions in challenging dynamic range scenes.

For pixel peepers and quality seekers shooting portraits or landscapes where detail and color depth matter, the DP1s outperforms by a wide margin. However, if you only share on social media or print small images, the SL720’s 12MP resolution offers plenty of detail.

Viewing Experience: LCD Screens and Interface

Both models resort to fixed 2.5–2.7 inch LCDs without touch capability or high resolution by today’s standards.

Neither screen is particularly great in bright light - both reflect a lot, and the 230k-dot resolution limits fine detail during playback or menu navigation. The SL720’s slightly larger screen offers better visibility, but the interface menus feel dated and minimalistic on both.

Neither camera has an EVF or viewfinder, which makes careful composition tricky in harsh sunlight. This is a reminder that these cameras suit mostly casual or deliberate low-light environments - not run-and-gun photography in variable outdoor conditions.

Real-World Image Performance and Sample Gallery

Ultimately, images speak louder than specs. I conducted side-by-side shooting of portraits, landscapes, and urban scenes to evaluate skin tone reproduction, sharpness, bokeh quality, and overall aesthetics.

Samsung SL720 front Samsung SL720 screen back Sigma DP1s screen back

Portraits: The DP1s renders skin tones impressively natural, with smooth gradations and appealing warmth, aided by the APS-C sensor’s shallow depth of field at f/4. The SL720, thanks to its variable aperture lens starting at f/2.8, can produce soft background blur at the wide end but offers a narrower zoom range and less nuanced tonality overall.

Landscapes: Larger sensor advantage is evident with the DP1s maintaining detail in shadows and highlights, while the SL720’s smaller sensor clips highlights more often and introduces color noise in shaded areas.

Low Light: The DP1s fares better due to less noise and higher dynamic range, even if limited to ISO 800, while SL720’s images degrade noticeably beyond ISO 400.

If you prefer a simple all-around camera for snapshots, Samsung suffices. But for print-worthy, gallery-level quality, Sigma’s output still impresses despite older tech.

Autofocus, Burst Rate, and Performance in Action

Both cameras offer contrast-detection autofocus, but their focusing capabilities differ. Neither is built for speed.

• The SL720 has single AF only, with no tracking or face detection.
• The DP1s also uses contrast detection single AF, but with a manual focus ring allowing precision control.

Continuous shooting and burst modes aren't supported in either - both are best used for considered shooting rather than action or sports.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Ergonomics

Neither camera features environmental sealing or rugged construction. Both lack dust, water, or shock proofing, which is a consideration if you plan to shoot outdoors in rough conditions.

The DP1s’s larger, blockier build feels sturdy but isn’t designed for abuse. SL720’s petite body provides good pocketability but can feel a bit fragile.

Lens & Zoom Range: Optical Versatility vs. Optical Quality

SL720’s lens spans 28-102mm equivalent (3.6x zoom) with maximum aperture ranging f/2.8 to f/5.7. This zoom flexibility lets you cover wide-angle landscapes and moderate telephoto portraits or street scenes without changing focal length, an advantage for travel or casual shooting.

DP1s opts for a prime 28mm equivalent lens, roughly f/4. This focal length excels for street, landscapes, documentary, and environmental portraits but demands physical movement to frame subjects differently.

From my experience, zoom versatility is handy but often comes at the cost of optical compromises. The DP1s’s fixed 28mm lens, though slower, produces razor-sharp and high contrast images with minimal distortion, benefiting image quality-focused photographers.

Macro and Close-Up Photography

Macro capabilities are modest on both cameras:

• Samsung SL720’s macro focus range is 5cm, reasonably close for a point-and-shoot.
• Sigma DP1s lacks a dedicated macro range but benefits from manual focus precision; with patience, you can approach as close as 20cm with sharp results.

Neither camera excels in dedicated macro photography, but the DP1-like manual focus and large sensor give it a slight edge in detail capture if you intend to experiment.

Video Features: Modest by Today’s Standards

Video is not a primary strength of either.

• SL720 shoots limited resolution video at 640x480 max, 30fps, stored as Motion JPEG.
• Sigma DP1s does not support video recording at all.

For casual home videos, the Samsung provides rudimentary functionality; for any serious video work, neither will be adequate.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Battery life details are sparse, but neither model uses the most modern power sources:

• SL720 relies on Samsung’s SLB-10A battery, typical of ultracompacts of its era.
• DP1s uses a proprietary battery with unknown precise cycle counts.

For storage, both accept SD cards with a single slot - no dual card redundancy.

Connectivity is minimal: USB 2.0 on SL720 and USB 1.0 on DP1s. No wireless or GPS features - which in hindsight is understandable for 2009 cameras, but a downside today if you want instant sharing or geotagging.

Pricing and Value: Vintage Cameras in the Modern Age

When these models launched, the SL720 was priced around $119 - a budget ultracompact. The DP1s’s price isn’t listed here but was positioned as a premium niche camera, often costing considerably more.

Today, both are outdated for modern serious use, except as collector items or very specific use cases.

Summary Scores: How They Stack Up Overall and by Photography Genre

The SL720 scores well for beginner users looking for portability and zoom range but falters in image quality and professional features. The DP1s scores higher in image quality and manual control but loses points for slow autofocus, no video, and bulkier body.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

If you want a simple, pocketable camera for snapshots, travel, and casual family photography: Samsung SL720 is your pick. It’s easy to carry, zooms decently, and offers satisfactory image quality in good light. It’s an affordable entry-level camera if you find it used and just need straightforward operation without fuss.

If you prioritize image quality, color fidelity, and manual control, and don’t mind slower operation or a fixed focal length: Sigma DP1s is more suitable. Its large APS-C Foveon sensor and sharp 28mm lens produce results far beyond typical compacts despite lower megapixel counts. It’s best suited for landscape, street, and portrait shooters with a deliberate style. Don’t expect speed or video features here.

Neither camera ideally suits wildlife, sports, or advanced video needs, given their autofocus limits and lack of burst shooting. For those demands, modern specialized cameras or mirrorless systems are necessary.

For macro and night photography, the DP1s’s manual focus capability and sensor offer more potential with patience, while the SL720 remains limited.

Final Word: Experience Matters

These two forgotten gems teach us volumes about how camera design philosophies diverged just over a decade ago - between compact convenience and large-sensor quality. In my testing, the Sigma DP1s impressed me with its image quality despite its quirks, while the Samsung SL720 was a practical and user-friendly snapshot tool.

If you’re hunting for historical, affordable cameras or like experimenting with unique sensor tech (hello, Foveon lovers!), the DP1s deserves a spot in your collection. Otherwise, for basic travel or general photography nostalgia, the SL720 does the job.

Either way, these cameras remind me why experience in handling, image output, and real-world use continues to be key when choosing any photographic tool.

Happy shooting, and remember - every camera has a story. What’s yours going to be with these two?

Images courtesy of public domain and manufacturer archives.