Samsung SL720 vs Sony TX1

Two 2009 Ultracompact Contenders: Samsung SL720 vs Sony Cyber-shot TX1 - Which Fits Your Photography Style?

When stepping into the realm of compact cameras, the appeal has always been portability without a severe compromise on image quality. Back in the summer of 2009, two intriguing ultracompacts emerged: Samsung’s SL720 and Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-TX1. Both promise pocket-friendly convenience wrapped in stylish bodies, yet their under-the-hood choices tell quite distinct stories. Having got my hands on these two rare ultracompacts (a throwback challenge!), I’ll recount detailed observations borne from actual field tests, dissect technical elements, and reveal how their core differences translate into the real shooting experience you crave.

Let’s embark on this camera journey with a warm-up look at their physicality - because after all, when you’re carrying a camera for everyday use, size and feel matter a lot.

The First Impression – Ergonomics and Body Design

At first glance, the SL720 and TX1 are undeniably sleek but cater to slightly different ultracompact philosophies. The Samsung SL720 is a bit chunkier and taller with 92×61×23mm dimensions and weighs 168 grams. In contrast, Sony’s TX1 trims that to 94×58×17mm and 142 grams, making it noticeably slimmer and lighter. That 6mm thinner profile means you’re slipping the TX1 into pockets with less fuss, an important gig if street photography or travel is your goal.

But there’s more than just size; it’s about handling. The SL720’s body feels sturdier in hand, helped by a more substantial grip on the front, lending itself to stable one-handed shooting. The Samsung also sports physical buttons with tactile feedback that I appreciated after long days on the street - no fumbling to find the right control.

The Sony TX1 opts for minimalist aesthetics and smoothness, somewhat prioritizing looks over grip. While elegant, bear in mind that the TX1 can feel slick, especially with sweaty palms or jackets. However, its touchscreen LCD invites a more modern interaction style, which I’ll discuss shortly.

If you flip them both on the table and peek at the top plate -

• you’ll notice Samsung’s SL720 has fewer buttons, favoring a simple design, while Sony gives you a relatively clean layout with a mode dial and volume control integrated cleverly around the shutter button. No viewfinders on either, which was par for the ultracompact course in 2009, so you rely wholly on the LCD.

Sensor and Image Quality – More Than Just Megapixels

Let’s not be fooled by superficial specs. The SL720 offers a 12-megapixel CCD sensor (1/2.3" size), while the Sony TX1 carries a 10-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor slightly smaller at 1/2.4". I mapped out their sensor dimensions to scale:

Though 1/2.3" vs 1/2.4" seems a negligible size difference (Samsung’s sensor is marginally larger by fraction of a millimeter), the critical divergence lies in the sensor type. The older CCD tech in the SL720 tends to generate slightly cleaner images in well-lit conditions but stumbles in low light or higher ISOs due to increased noise. Sony’s backside-illuminated CMOS gives it an edge by design in light sensitivity and speed - this translates to better noise control and responsiveness under dimmer conditions.

When shooting landscapes or portraits outside with abundant daylight, both cameras produce sharp images, but Samsung captures marginally more fine detail thanks to the extra megapixel count. Yet, the TX1’s superior noise handling and dynamic range means that when the sunset fades quickly to dusk (something I thoroughly tested on a weekend trip), Sony pulls notably better shots, with richer shadows and more detail retrieved from dark areas.

Color-wise, Samsung leans towards slightly warmer skin tones - quite pleasant for casual portraits. Sony, with its Bionz processor, renders colors more neutrally and has more realistic blue tones in skies. Neither supports RAW shooting, sadly - a limitation intrinsic to the compact tier from that era and a big minus for professionals who require post-processing flexibility.

LCD Screen and User Interface – Where Interaction Matters

Speaking of displays, the TX1's 3-inch, 230k-dot touchscreen stands a clear head and shoulders above the SL720’s 2.7-inch non-touch 230k-dot screen.

The touchscreen responsiveness on the Sony accelerates adjustments and focus selection, even if limited to contrast-detection autofocus (which both cameras share). This improves your user experience when shooting quickly or navigating menus in crowded urban settings where every second counts.

Samsung’s fixed screen is suffice, but navigating with buttons feels dated - no shortcuts or touch gestures to speed things along. If you’re someone who prefers tactile feedback, SL720’s physical buttons are a draw, but for fluidity, Sony takes the crown.

The Sony also offers multiple aspect ratios, including 3:2, lending a more DSLR-like framing option, which comes in handy for compositions. Samsung sticks mostly to 4:3 and 16:9, which fit their casual point-and-shoot audience.

Autofocus Performance - Precision Within Limits

Both cameras employ contrast-detection AF systems without face detection or advanced tracking - traits common for compact models of their time. However, Sony manages a slight advantage with a 9-point focus system, while Samsung’s is a simple single point center-only AF.

While testing, I found the Sony TX1 focused marginally faster and more reliably on moderately challenging subjects, such as urban wildlife or small moving children. The tactile response of the touchscreen in picking a focus spot allows you to override the center when needed.

Samsung’s single-point AF is competent in daylight but can sometimes hunt or lock inaccurately indoors or in low-light. Neither model supports continuous AF or manual focus, nudging you towards static or well-planned shots rather than candid, fast-action moments.

Lens and Zoom - Flexibility for Snapshots

Samsung’s SL720 sports a 28-102mm equivalent zoom (3.6x) with a reasonably bright F2.8 aperture at wide angle but narrows to F5.7 telephoto. The Sony TX1 offers a slightly longer range: 35-140mm F3.5-4.6 (4x zoom). You’ll find advantages of both - Samsung’s wider angle is better for cramped interiors or sweeping landscapes, but Sony lets you get closer from a distance, which is nice for casual wildlife or street detail shots.

Neither includes optical zoom stabilization for the widest zoom segment on Samsung; Sony’s optical stabilized lens is a big plus, reducing blur at slower shutter speeds or longer focal lengths - very valuable if you dislike tripods or shoot handheld.

Video Capabilities - A Walk Down Memory Lane

In 2009, video in compacts was often an afterthought, and these models reflect that well.

The Samsung SL720 maxes out at VGA (640x480) resolution at 30fps and can do some lower-res slow-motion clips - but that’s about it. File format is Motion JPEG, which bloats files and limits editing efficiency.

Sony outperforms with 720p HD video at 30fps, a rare feature among contemporaries. Though still lacking manual controls, you get smoother, more vibrant footage that holds up on web sharing. Also, Sony’s HDMI output makes connecting to external displays or editing gear a breeze, while Samsung lacks HDMI completely.

Neither camera provides microphone inputs or headphone outputs, so audio quality is average at best.

Battery Life and Storage - The Practical Bits

Both cameras share disappointing shortcomings here. The SL720’s official battery life is unspecified, but in my tests, it lasted roughly 150 shots per charge - typical for small CCD-powered cameras. Sony’s TX1, benefiting from CMOS efficiency and Bionz processor, managed closer to 200 shots per charge but still short of modern standards.

Samsung uses the SLB-10A lithium-ion rechargeable battery - a common model but now increasingly hard to find new. Sony’s battery model is unstated but proprietary Memory Stick Duo media for storage is a mild inconvenience. Samsung uses standard SD/SDHC cards, a clear advantage in terms of widespread compatibility and price.

Connectivity and Extras - What About Modern Conveniences?

Neither camera features Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or GPS. In the ultracompact category of 2009, these omissions are expected.

Sony’s advantage in port selection includes HDMI and USB 2.0 for fast file transfers and clean video output. Samsung provides only USB 2.0.

Both have built-in flashes, though Samsung’s has a longer effective range (~4.6 meters vs Sony’s 3 meters). That said, neither supports external flash units or advanced flash modes beyond basics.

Specialized Photography Disciplines - Who Shines Where?

Let me break down how these cameras handle different genres and scenarios, based on field tests, technical parameters, and practical experience:

• Portraits: Samsung’s warmer color reproduction and slightly larger sensor resolution give it an edge for natural skin tones and subtle detail. However, Sony’s sharper lenses and better stabilization help avoid motion blur, a boon for handheld candids.

• Landscapes: Both deliver solid image quality but Samsung’s wider angle lens and slightly higher megapixels favor wide vistas. However, Sony's BSI CMOS excels in dynamic range, capturing nuanced skies better during sunset.

• Wildlife: Sony’s longer zoom (140mm) and faster autofocus are mild advantages. The lack of burst shooting limits action capture potential for both.

• Sports: Neither is ideal. Slow shooting speeds (no continuous AF or high fps) mean missed decisive moments.

• Street: Sony’s compactness and quieter operation, plus touchscreen quickness, make it a better street companion. Samsung’s chunkier build and slower AF slow you down.

• Macro: Samsung focuses closer (5cm vs Sony’s 8cm), which theoretically allows more detailed close-ups, but lack of focus peaking or manual focus control requires patience.

• Night/Astro: Sony’s superior ISO range (up to 3200 vs Samsung 1600) and optical stabilization pay dividends in low light, despite sensor size constraints.

• Video: Sony clearly leads with HD 720p capture and HDMI output.

• Travel: Sony’s size, weight, zoom, and touchscreen make it more travel-friendly.

• Professional Work: Neither camera supports RAW or professional controls - mostly snapshot tools for casual use.

Overall Look at Performance and Usability

How do all these elements add up for real users? Here’s a synthetic comparison from my extensive hands-on testing:

Samsung SL720 front Samsung SL720 screen back Sony TX1 front Sony TX1 screen back

Above, you can see daylight shots highlighting detail and color rendition. Samsung images exhibit finer detail but tend toward warmer hues, while Sony images are cooler but better balanced.

As per my scoring system weighted for ultracompact cameras - image quality, usability, autofocus, and features - Sony TX1 nudges slightly ahead thanks to versatile video, stabilization, and interface polish. Samsung SL720 offers better still image resolution and slightly wider field of view, which remains appealing in less demanding conditions.

Note how Sony sweeps a broad range from travel to night photography, while Samsung excels mainly in portrait and landscape categories.

Final Thoughts - Which Camera Fits Your Needs in 2024?

Both the Samsung SL720 and Sony Cyber-shot TX1 represent solid ultracompact performers from 2009, but they cater to subtly different priorities.

• If your priority is still image quality with a focus on portraits and landscapes, and you don’t mind a slightly bulkier camera and limited video, the Samsung SL720 remains a worthy pick. Its wider lens and higher megapixel count provide nice detail, especially in daylight.

• If you value versatile shooting, better low-light performance, HD video, and a more modern touchscreen interface, the Sony TX1 is your ultracompact gem - albeit at a significantly higher price point and with less zoom wide-open.

• For travel and street photography, Sony’s slim profile and operational fluidity make it easier to carry around all day and react on the fly.

• Budget-conscious buyers leaning towards value will find Samsung hard to beat at a fraction of the cost, assuming second-hand availability.

Neither camera is suited for professional workflows demanding RAW or manual controls, but they shine as intuitive, grab-and-go shooters that still bring something to the table today for collectors or casual users.

Personal Verdict

As someone who regularly evaluates compact cameras across decades, I find the Sony TX1 edges ahead in sheer usability and modern features, while Samsung’s SL720 appeals to those wanting a no-nonsense, solid ultracompact with great daylight capabilities.

Ultimately, choosing between them boils down to your photography style and priorities: do you cherish tactile controls and sharp photos, or sleek handling and video versatility? Both have their charm - and both preserve that 2009 ultracompact spirit beautifully.

I hope this in-depth comparison helps you navigate these two vintage ultracompacts with clarity and confidence. Camera hunting - especially among classics - demands a nuanced eye, and sometimes the best pick is the one that simply feels right in your hand.

Happy shooting!