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Samsung SL720 vs Sony A550

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26
Samsung SL720 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
53
Features
65
Overall
57

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Samsung SL720
(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
  • Announced July 2009
  • Also Known as PL70
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Introduced December 2009
  • Old Model is Sony A100
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Samsung SL720 vs Sony A550 Overview

Following is a thorough comparison of the Samsung SL720 and Sony A550, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the SL720 (12MP) and the A550 (14MP) is very close but the SL720 (1/2.3") and A550 (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizing.

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The SL720 was revealed 4 months prior to the A550 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Samsung SL720 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a short summary of how the SL720 matches up against the A550 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung SL720 over the Sony A550

 SL720 A550 

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Samsung SL720

 A550 SL720 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kCrisper display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Samsung SL720 and Sony A550

 SL720 A550 
IntroducedJuly 2009December 2009Same age
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Samsung SL720 has physical dimensions of 92mm x 61mm x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") and a weight of 168 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Sony A550 has dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Contrast the Samsung SL720 and Sony A550 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the SL720 compared to the A550.

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SL720 and A550 is 94 and 63 respectively.

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to see the difference in sensor sizes purely by looking through specifications. The image underneath might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SL720 and A550.

To sum up, the two cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SL720 with its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Sony A550 will render more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images more aggressively.

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung SL720
Portrait photography with Sony A550
20
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
71
you can focus manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung SL720
Street photography with Sony A550
47
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
more heavy than competition (168 grams)
74
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Samsung SL720 Sports photography features
Sony A550 Sports photography features
17
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
low battery life (480 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung SL720 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A550 as a Travel photography camera
55
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (168 grams)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
51
MP count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
low battery life (480 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Samsung SL720
Landscape photography with Sony A550
27
fairly wide (28mm)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
66
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
low battery life (480 per charge)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung SL720
Vlogging with Sony A550
25
fairly wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone support
more heavy than competition (168 grams)
9
no video
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Samsung SL720 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung SL720 and Sony A550
 Samsung SL720Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung SL720 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Also referred to as PL70 -
Type Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2009-07-14 2009-12-09
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias 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 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-102mm (3.6x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.7 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed - 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.60 m 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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 data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 168g (0.37 lb) 632g (1.39 lb)
Physical dimensions 92 x 61 x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 807
Other
Battery life - 480 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID SLB-10A NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $119 $749