Samsung SL720 vs Sony NEX-5N
94 Imaging
34 Features
14 Overall
26


89 Imaging
56 Features
69 Overall
61
Samsung SL720 vs Sony NEX-5N 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
- Announced July 2009
- Alternative Name is PL70
(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

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.

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.

Samsung SL720 vs Sony NEX-5N Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Samsung SL720 and Sony Alpha NEX-5N. The full galleries are available at Samsung SL720 Gallery and Sony NEX-5N Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | October 2011 | ![]() | July 2009 | Fresher by 27 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung SL720 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications
Samsung SL720 | Sony 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 |