Samsung SL720 vs Sony A390
94 Imaging
34 Features
14 Overall
26


66 Imaging
54 Features
54 Overall
54
Samsung SL720 vs Sony A390 Key Specs
(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
- Released July 2009
- Alternative Name is PL70
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
- Revealed July 2010
- Succeeded the Sony A380

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A390 Overview
Let's look a bit more closely at the Samsung SL720 versus Sony A390, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the SL720 (12MP) and the A390 (14MP) is pretty similar but the SL720 (1/2.3") and A390 (APS-C) use different sensor measurements.

The SL720 was unveiled 12 months before the A390 and they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras come with different body type with the Samsung SL720 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before getting in to a detailed comparison, below is a simple overview of how the SL720 scores versus the A390 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A390 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Samsung SL720 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A390. The full galleries are provided at Samsung SL720 Gallery and Sony A390 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Samsung SL720 over the Sony A390
SL720 | A390 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Samsung SL720
A390 | SL720 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | July 2010 | ![]() | July 2009 | More recent by 12 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Samsung SL720 and Sony A390
SL720 | A390 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimension | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Identical screen measurements |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Absent Touch screen |
Samsung SL720 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to lug around your camera often, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Samsung SL720 provides external measurements of 92mm x 61mm x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") along with a weight of 168 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Sony A390 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
See the Samsung SL720 versus Sony A390 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose at the time. Here is the front view size comparison of the SL720 versus the A390.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SL720 and A390 is 94 and 66 respectively.

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is hard to picture the gap between sensor measurements purely by going over technical specs. The visual here might offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SL720 and A390.
As you can tell, both cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SL720 using its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Sony A390 will offer extra detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The older SL720 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A390 Specifications
Samsung SL720 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Samsung | Sony |
Model | Samsung SL720 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 |
Also referred to as | PL70 | - |
Category | Ultracompact | Entry-Level DSLR |
Released | 2009-07-14 | 2010-07-28 |
Physical type | Ultracompact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4592 x 3056 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens focal range | 28-102mm (3.6x) | - |
Maximal aperture | f/2.8-5.7 | - |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | - |
Available lenses | - | 143 |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 2.7 inch | 2.7 inch |
Display resolution | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.49x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1500 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 3.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 4.60 m | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | - | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 800 x 592 (20 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) | - |
Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | None |
Video format | Motion JPEG | - |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 168 grams (0.37 lb) | 549 grams (1.21 lb) |
Dimensions | 92 x 61 x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") | 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 66 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.5 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 11.5 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 607 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 230 shots |
Battery style | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | SLB-10A | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail pricing | $119 | $500 |