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Samsung SL720 vs Sony TX30

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Samsung SL720 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30 front
Portability
96
Imaging
43
Features
43
Overall
43

Samsung SL720 vs Sony TX30 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
  • Launched July 2009
  • Also referred to as PL70
Sony TX30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.5-4.8) lens
  • 141g - 96 x 59 x 15mm
  • Announced July 2013
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Samsung SL720 vs Sony TX30 Overview

The following is a in-depth review of the Samsung SL720 vs Sony TX30, both Ultracompact digital cameras by companies Samsung and Sony. There is a significant difference between the resolutions of the SL720 (12MP) and TX30 (18MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SL720 was brought out 5 years before the TX30 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before delving right into a full comparison, here is a concise summation of how the SL720 scores versus the TX30 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Samsung SL720 over the Sony TX30

 SL720 TX30 

Reasons to pick Sony TX30 over the Samsung SL720

 TX30 SL720 
AnnouncedJuly 2013July 2009Newer by 49 months
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Display dimensions3.3"2.7"Larger display (+0.6")
Display resolution1229k230kCrisper display (+999k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Samsung SL720 and Sony TX30

 SL720 TX30 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Samsung SL720 vs Sony TX30 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera often, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Samsung SL720 has 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) whilst the Sony TX30 has proportions of 96mm x 59mm x 15mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.6") and a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs).

See the Samsung SL720 vs Sony TX30 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at the time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the SL720 versus the TX30.

Samsung SL720 vs Sony TX30 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SL720 and TX30 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Samsung SL720 vs Sony TX30 top view buttons comparison

Samsung SL720 vs Sony TX30 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions merely by looking at technical specs. The image below will offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SL720 and TX30.

As you can tell, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Sony TX30 to give you more detail having its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The more aged SL720 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Samsung SL720 vs Sony TX30 sensor size comparison

Samsung SL720 vs Sony TX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung SL720 vs Sony TX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung SL720 Portrait photography details
Sony TX30 Portrait photography details
21
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
39
you can focus manually
good resolution (18MP)
no manual control
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Samsung SL720 as a Street photography camera
Sony TX30 as a Street photography camera
47
no moving screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than others in class (168g)
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Samsung SL720 Sports photography features
Sony TX30 Sports photography features
17
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
46
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
weather sealing
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Samsung SL720 Travel photography highlights
Sony TX30 Travel photography highlights
56
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than others in class (168g)
resolution not great (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
69
weather sealing
good resolution (18MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (26mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Samsung SL720
Landscape photography with Sony TX30
27
relatively wide (28mm)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
51
you can focus manually
decently wide (26mm)
screen is a good size (3.3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
weather sealing
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung SL720 Vlogging advice
Sony TX30 Vlogging advice
25
relatively wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external microphone jack
more heavy than others in class (168g)
34
decently wide (26mm)
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly display
doesn't have external mic port
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Samsung SL720 vs Sony TX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung SL720 and Sony TX30
 Samsung SL720Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30
General Information
Brand Samsung Sony
Model Samsung SL720 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30
Also called as PL70 -
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Launched 2009-07-14 2013-07-26
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-102mm (3.6x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.5-4.8
Macro focus range 5cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3.3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - OLED monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/1500s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.60 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow sync -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 800 x 592 (20 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 168g (0.37 pounds) 141g (0.31 pounds)
Physical dimensions 92 x 61 x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") 96 x 59 x 15mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 model SLB-10A -
Self timer Yes -
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal -
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $119 $230