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Samsung SL720 vs Sony S980

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26
Samsung SL720 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Samsung SL720 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Samsung SL720
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28-102mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 168g - 92 x 61 x 23mm
  • Launched July 2009
  • Other Name is PL70
Sony S980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Revealed February 2009
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Samsung SL720 vs Sony S980 Overview

The following is a complete comparison of the Samsung SL720 versus Sony S980, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the SL720 (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is fairly similar and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SL720 was announced 5 months after the S980 so they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Samsung SL720 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a in depth comparison, below is a simple overview of how the SL720 matches up against the S980 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Samsung SL720 over the Sony S980

 SL720 S980 

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Samsung SL720

 S980 SL720 
Manual focus More exact focus

Common features in the Samsung SL720 and Sony S980

 SL720 S980 
RevealedJuly 2009February 2009Similar age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display sizing
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Samsung SL720 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Samsung SL720 features outer dimensions of 92mm x 61mm x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") with a weight of 168 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Samsung SL720 versus Sony S980 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the SL720 against the S980.

Samsung SL720 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SL720 and S980 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Samsung SL720 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Samsung SL720 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to picture the gap between sensor dimensions simply by reviewing specs. The image below might provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SL720 and S980.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same megapixels so you can expect similar quality of pictures but you should always factor the age of the products into consideration.

Samsung SL720 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Samsung SL720 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung SL720 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung SL720 Portrait photography factors
Sony S980 Portrait photography factors
20
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
27
manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung SL720
Street photography with Sony S980
47
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
heavier than competition (168g)
47
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung SL720
Sports photography with Sony S980
17
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
17
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung SL720 Travel photography details
Sony S980 Travel photography details
55
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (168g)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
low resolution sensor (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung SL720 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S980 as a Landscape photography camera
27
relatively wide (28mm)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
27
manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung SL720 Vlogging advice
Sony S980 Vlogging advice
25
relatively wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have mic socket
heavier than competition (168 grams)
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone jack
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Samsung SL720 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung SL720 and Sony S980
 Samsung SL720Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung SL720 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Also called PL70 -
Class Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-07-14 2009-02-17
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-102mm (3.6x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 5cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/1500s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.60 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG 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 pounds) 167g (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 92 x 61 x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID SLB-10A -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $119 $300