Samsung SL720 vs Sony a5100

Choosing the right camera can be a daunting task, especially when the options span vastly different categories and capabilities. Today, I’ll walk you through a detailed comparison of two very distinct models that some enthusiasts might pit against each other: the Samsung SL720, a 2009-era ultra-compact camera, and the Sony Alpha a5100, a 2014 entry-level mirrorless. Both are modestly priced, but they cater to very different user expectations and photography disciplines.

Having personally handled and tested many cameras in both compact and mirrorless cameras over the years, I want to provide a nuanced, first-hand evaluation that will help you determine which suits your needs best. Let’s dive into the technical details, real-world performance, and usability factors - all backed by extensive hands-on experience.

A Tale of Two Cameras: Physical Design and Handling

Before unpacking the technical specs, understanding a camera’s physicality sets the stage for how it fits into your photography lifestyle.

Samsung’s SL720 is an ultra-compact point-and-shoot designed for pocket convenience. Measuring just 92x61x23 mm and weighing a featherlight 168 grams, it literally slips into a jacket pocket or small purse without any fuss. The fixed 28-102 mm equivalent zoom lens (3.6× optical zoom) with maximum aperture ranging from f/2.8 to f/5.7 keeps it versatile enough for casual snapshots. However, it offers no manual focus control, no optical or electronic viewfinder, and has a non-touch 2.7-inch fixed screen at 230k dots - basic but functional for its era.

In contrast, the Sony a5100 has a more substantial mirrorless build at 110x63x36 mm and 283 grams, still highly portable but noticeably larger and heftier than the SL720. It sports a tilting 3-inch touchscreen with a higher 922k dots resolution, allowing for intuitive touch AF point selection - a feature I found indispensable when shooting on the fly. The rangefinder style body is comfortable to hold in hand, with physical dials and buttons offering manual control that beginners and enthusiasts often value.

The SL720’s ultracompact form wins for absolute pocketability, but the a5100’s ergonomics and interface are much more user-friendly, especially if you enjoy adjusting settings yourself during a shoot. The tactile feedback and menu navigation on the Sony feels completely superior.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

I always start picture quality evaluations by considering the sensor technology and its implications on image fidelity.

The SL720 sports a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring 6.08x4.56 mm with a modest 12-megapixel resolution, typical of compact cameras from its time. This small sensor area (around 27.7 mm²) limits dynamic range and low-light capability; noise and loss of detail at ISOs above 400 can be prominent. Additionally, CCD sensors in small compacts often suffer from slower readout speeds and limited video resolution.

Compare this to the Sony a5100’s much larger APS-C CMOS sensor (23.5x15.6 mm, approx 366.6 mm² surface area) with 24 megapixels. The difference in sensor size translates directly into better image quality: superior dynamic range, shallower depth of field for better background separation, and dramatically improved high-ISO performance. Sony’s Bionz X processor complements this, delivering clean images up to ISO 3200 and usable results even at ISO 6400.

In practical use, the a5100’s files have more color depth (DxOmark rates color depth at 23.8 bits vs. no official SL720 data) and dynamic latitude, capturing vivid landscapes and detailed portraits with much more fidelity. The SL720 simply can’t compete beyond simple snapshots in good light.

Viewing and User Interface: How You Compose Your Shot

Both cameras lack any sort of viewfinder, meaning you compose entirely on an LCD screen. However, the experience couldn’t be more different.

The SL720’s fixed 2.7-inch screen is smaller and lower-res (230k dots), offering a dimmer, less sharp preview. This makes framing challenging in bright sunlight or tricky angles. On the other hand, the a5100’s 3-inch tilting touchscreen with 922k dots provides bright, crisp images; the tilting mechanism makes it easier for creative compositions such as low-angle or self-portrait shots. The touchscreen lets you focus exactly where you want with quick taps - huge for spontaneous street or travel photography.

The SL720’s interface is bare-bones, designed for quick point-and-shoot operation with minimal menu complexity. Meanwhile, the a5100 gives you expandable exposure controls (including shutter and aperture priority modes, manual exposure modes, and exposure compensation) - features that encourage learning and creative growth.

Autofocus Systems: Accuracy and Speed for Every Moment

AF speed and precision are decisive for capturing fast-moving subjects or fleeting expressions.

The SL720 relies solely on contrast-detection AF with no face or eye detection, and its autofocus points are not user-selectable. It also lacks continuous or tracking AF modes. Practically, this means slower focus locks and difficulty keeping subjects sharp during movement, notably in low contrast or challenging lighting.

In contrast, the Sony a5100 boasts 179 phase-detection AF points combined with contrast detection, along with face detection and tracking autofocus that works reliably on moving subjects. It supports continuous AF for tracking action during burst shooting (6 fps) - critical for sports, wildlife, or street photography. I’ve tested the a5100 in dynamic scenarios and it impressively maintains sharpness where compact cameras struggle.

Lens Ecosystem: Fixed or Flexible?

An obvious limitation of the SL720 is its non-interchangeable fixed zoom lens (28-102 mm equivalent). While adequate for casual everyday use, it locks you into a modest zoom range and aperture, constraining creative control and limiting low-light performance.

By contrast, the Sony a5100’s E-mount supports over 120 native lenses including primes, zooms, and specialty optics - wide-angles, telephotos, macros, and fast aperture primes for shallow depth of field. This versatility is a huge advantage for enthusiasts eager to explore various photographic genres or upgrade optical capabilities over time without switching bodies.

Performance Across Photography Genres: Where Each Camera Shines

Let’s talk use cases, examining how these two cameras fare across different photography disciplines.

Portrait Photography

The a5100’s larger sensor and ability to pair with fast primes squeezed me in closer with pleasing background blur and accurate skin tones. Its eye-detection AF (though limited to humans only) ensures tack-sharp focus on eyelids, substantially boosting portrait results.

The SL720’s small sensor and fixed lens yield moderate portraits but with noticeably deeper depth of field and less shallow bokeh, which feels flat by comparison. Lack of face or eye detection AF sometimes results in slightly soft eyes and less refined skin rendering.

Landscape Photography

Here, the a5100 excels due to its wide dynamic range and 24MP resolution, producing detailed files that handle shadows and highlights gracefully. Its choice of lenses, including weather-sealed models, allows for rugged outdoor use.

The SL720’s smaller sensor exhibits limited dynamic range, resulting in blown highlights on bright skies or muddy shadows in scenes with strong contrast. Also, the camera is not weather-sealed, restricting rugged outdoor use.

Wildlife Photography

Sony’s continuous 6 fps burst coupled with fast and accurate phase-detection AF makes the a5100 preferable for wildlife work involving unpredictable movement. Moreover, telephoto E-mount lenses with image stabilization extend reach and aid handheld shots.

Samsung’s SL720 lacks burst shooting, fast or tracking AF, and has a modest 3.6× zoom that quickly runs out of reach - making wildlife photography difficult.

Sports Photography

Similar to wildlife, the a5100’s tracking AF and faster frame rate coupled with RAW capture enable better post-processing flexibility. In low light indoor sports, the APS-C sensor copes better at high ISOs.

SL720 falls short here: no continuous shooting, no manual exposure controls, and less low-light capability all limit sports capture.

Street Photography

The SL720’s petite design is a clear advantage for discretion and portability in street photography, though slow AF might miss key moments.

Sony a5100, though bigger, balances compactness with quicker response and manual controls that street shooters like. Its tilting screen aids creativity, but it demands a bit more presence.

Macro Photography

SL720 allows macro focusing down to 5 cm, handy for casual close-ups but lacks focusing precision controls.

a5100’s lens interchangeability lets you attach dedicated macro lenses with higher magnification and focus refinement, essential for serious macro work.

Night and Astro Photography

Larger sensor, higher ISO ceiling (up to ISO 25600) on the a5100 dramatically improve night sky and low-light photography, aided by manual exposure control modes and long shutter speeds.

SL720 maxes out at ISO 1600, without manual modes or long exposures needed for astrophotography, limiting creative options.

Video Capabilities

The SL720 only records low-resolution video (max 640x480 at 30 fps), in Motion JPEG format - too basic for serious video work.

Sony a5100 offers Full HD 1080p at up to 60 fps, with multiple codecs including AVCHD and XAVC S. Although lacking mic port, its autofocus during video is smooth, and its touchscreen controls add practicality.

Travel Photography

SL720’s pocket-sized form is travel-friendly, and ease of use is straightforward. However, image quality and control limitations might frustrate enthusiasts.

Sony a5100 balances portability with superior image quality and versatile lens options. Its longer battery life (approx 400 shots) supports longer sessions.

Professional Work

While not a pro-grade body, the a5100’s RAW support, manual modes, and modular lens system make it suitable for many professional needs on a budget or as a secondary camera. The SL720’s fixed-lens, JPEG-only format limits professional workflows considerably.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers weather sealing or rugged protection, so take care in harsh conditions. The SL720’s plastic ultracompact body feels less sturdy than the Sony a5100’s more solid construction, which better withstands regular field use.

Battery Life and Connectivity

The SL720’s official battery life isn’t well documented, but small compacts usually average 200–300 shots per charge.

Sony a5100 shines with approximately 400 shots per battery cycle and has built-in Wi-Fi plus NFC connectivity for fast image transfer and remote shooting - a significant convenience for modern shooters.

Price and Value for Money

At launch, the SL720 retailed for about $120, making it an affordable everyday camera for beginners or casual users. Today, it is mostly an entry-level compact fit for snapshots, offering limited creative potential.

The Sony a5100, priced around $450 at launch, delivers much more bang for the buck with advanced sensor, versatile lenses, manual control, and strong autofocus performance. It’s a smart investment for enthusiasts stepping into mirrorless photography or using as a travel, street, or casual portrait camera.

Summing It Up with Ratings: How Do They Stack?

Below, you’ll find a visual summary of overall ratings and genre-specific scores reflecting my testing and industry benchmarks.

Photo Samples to Illustrate the Differences

To truly grasp the difference, I recommend examining images taken under comparable conditions. Here are sample images displaying differences in sharpness, color, and depth of field.

Samsung SL720 front Samsung SL720 screen back Sony a5100 front Sony a5100 screen back

Final Recommendations: Which One Should You Choose?

If you primarily want an ultra-compact, straightforward camera for casual snapshots and ease-of-carry, and cost is your main concern, the Samsung SL720 remains a simple, pocketable option. However, be prepared for basic image quality and limited creative control.

For photography enthusiasts or hobbyists seeking a genuinely versatile camera with excellent image quality, manual control, lens flexibility, and solid video capabilities, the Sony a5100 is the clear winner. Its APS-C sensor, robust autofocus, and user-friendly interface make it suitable for portraits, landscapes, street, travel, and even some wildlife and sports photography.

Closing Thoughts

Every camera has a story, and understanding that story helps you pick the one that writes your kind of photographic narrative. The SL720 is a compact relic of a simpler point-and-shoot era, designed for snapshots without fuss. The Sony a5100 heralded a new wave of affordable mirrorless cameras that opened professional-level tools to consumers.

Personally, I find the a5100’s balance of size, power, and system versatility a far more fulfilling photographic companion. If you want the best image quality and adaptability within a modest budget, this is my top pick between the two. But if you cherish ultra-small size above all or need a backup camera for casual use, the SL720 is still a viable little shooter.

I hope this comparison clarifies their strengths and weaknesses to help you make the informed decision that fits your style and goals. Happy shooting!

If you want to dig deeper, my comprehensive Sony a5100 hands-on test video (linked above) explores its controls and performance in greater detail - do check it out.