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Samsung SL720 vs Sony a1

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Samsung SL720 front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Samsung SL720 vs Sony a1 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
  • Released July 2009
  • Alternative Name is PL70
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Boost to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Released January 2021
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Samsung SL720 vs Sony a1 Overview

Below is a comprehensive overview of the Samsung SL720 and Sony a1, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Samsung and Sony. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the SL720 (12MP) and a1 (50MP) and the SL720 (1/2.3") and a1 (Full frame) come with different sensor size.

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The SL720 was launched 12 years prior to the a1 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Samsung SL720 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a brief summation of how the SL720 matches up vs the a1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Samsung SL720 over the Sony a1

 SL720 a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Samsung SL720

 a1 SL720 
ReleasedJanuary 2021July 2009More recent by 140 months
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1440k230kClearer display (+1210k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Samsung SL720 and Sony a1

 SL720 a1 
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Samsung SL720 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Samsung SL720 enjoys physical dimensions of 92mm x 61mm x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") with a weight of 168 grams (0.37 lbs) and the Sony a1 has measurements of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Compare the Samsung SL720 and Sony a1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the SL720 and the a1.

Samsung SL720 vs Sony a1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SL720 and a1 is 94 and 61 respectively.

Samsung SL720 vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Samsung SL720 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to visualize the difference in sensor measurements purely by viewing specifications. The photograph below might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SL720 and a1.

Plainly, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The SL720 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult and the Sony a1 will render extra detail utilizing its extra 38 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images far more aggressively. The older SL720 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Samsung SL720 vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Samsung SL720 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung SL720 vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung SL720 Portrait photography info
Sony a1 Portrait photography info
21
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
88
you can focus manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/400s)
resolution is amazing (50MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung SL720 as a Street photography camera
Sony a1 as a Street photography camera
47
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than average in class (168g)
79
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW files
features focus by touch
environment proof
very good ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Samsung SL720 as a Sports photography camera
Sony a1 as a Sports photography camera
17
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
90
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (30.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is amazing (50 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proof
great battery power (530 CIPA)
supports phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung SL720 Travel photography information
Sony a1 Travel photography information
56
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than average in class (168g)
megapixel count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
73
great battery power (530 per charge)
environment proof
supports bluetooth
features focus by touch
resolution is amazing (50MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung SL720 Landscape photography factors
Sony a1 Landscape photography factors
27
decently wide (28mm)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
88
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is amazing (50 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
very good ISO range (32,000)
exports RAW files
environment proof
great battery power (530 shots)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung SL720 Vlogging advice
Sony a1 Vlogging advice
25
decently wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external microphone socket
more heavy than average in class (168g)
36
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection autofocus
video res high (7680 x 4320 resolution)
comes with external mic port
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Samsung SL720 vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung SL720 and Sony a1
 Samsung SL720Sony Alpha a1
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model Samsung SL720 Sony Alpha a1
Also called as PL70 -
Class Ultracompact Pro Mirrorless
Released 2009-07-14 2021-01-26
Body design Ultracompact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 50 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 8640 x 5760
Max native ISO 1600 32000
Max boosted ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 759
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 28-102mm (3.6x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.7 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Number of lenses - 133
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,437 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.9x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 30.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.60 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow sync Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/400 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 800 x 592 (20 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Max video resolution 640x480 7680x4320
Video data format Motion JPEG XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 168g (0.37 lb) 737g (1.62 lb)
Dimensions 92 x 61 x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 530 photos
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model SLB-10A NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots Single Two
Price at launch $119 $6,498