Clicky

Samsung SL720 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26
Samsung SL720 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Samsung SL720 vs Sony NEX-5N 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
  • Alternative Name is PL70
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Released October 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-5
  • Successor is Sony NEX-5R
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Samsung SL720 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Samsung SL720 versus Sony NEX-5N, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the SL720 (12MP) and NEX-5N (16MP) and the SL720 (1/2.3") and NEX-5N (APS-C) enjoy different sensor dimensions.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The SL720 was revealed 3 years earlier than the NEX-5N and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Samsung SL720 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the SL720 matches up versus the NEX-5N in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
	
	

Reasons to pick Samsung SL720 over the Sony NEX-5N

 SL720 NEX-5N 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Samsung SL720

 NEX-5N SL720 
ReleasedOctober 2011July 2009Fresher by 27 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Samsung SL720 and Sony NEX-5N

 SL720 NEX-5N 
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Samsung SL720 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and measurements. The Samsung SL720 features outer dimensions of 92mm x 61mm x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") along with a weight of 168 grams (0.37 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5N has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check out the Samsung SL720 versus Sony NEX-5N in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the SL720 compared to the NEX-5N.

Samsung SL720 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SL720 and NEX-5N is 94 and 89 respectively.

Samsung SL720 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Samsung SL720 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizing just by reviewing specs. The graphic below might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SL720 and NEX-5N.

All in all, the two cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SL720 having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF more difficult and the Sony NEX-5N will deliver more detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively. The older SL720 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Samsung SL720 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Samsung SL720 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung SL720 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung SL720
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5N
20
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
73
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
saves RAW files
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Samsung SL720 Street photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Street photography advice
47
fixed screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
more heavy than competitors (168g)
80
screen tilts up and down
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
supports touch to focus
good ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Samsung SL720 Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography advice
17
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
58
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good battery (460 shots)
does not have image stabilization
lack of phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Samsung SL720 Travel photography information
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography information
55
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors (168 grams)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
70
good battery (460 per charge)
supports touch to focus
good megapixels (16MP)
does not have Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Samsung SL720 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Landscape photography camera
27
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Timelapse function
71
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
good battery (460 shots)
does not have image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse recording
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung SL720 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Vlogging camera
25
pretty wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
no external microphone port
more heavy than competitors (168g)
33
has touchscreen
features face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
does not have external mic jack
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Samsung SL720 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung SL720 and Sony NEX-5N
 Samsung SL720Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model Samsung SL720 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Also called as PL70 -
Category Ultracompact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2009-07-14 2011-10-03
Body design Ultracompact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 1600 25600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 28-102mm (3.6x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.7 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.60 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 secs
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 168 grams (0.37 pounds) 269 grams (0.59 pounds)
Dimensions 92 x 61 x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 77
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.7
DXO Low light score not tested 1079
Other
Battery life - 460 photos
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model SLB-10A NPFW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $119 $550