Samsung SL720 vs Sony WX350

Compact Camera Showdown: Samsung SL720 Versus Sony WX350 – An Exhaustive Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Selecting a compact camera in today’s varied photographic landscape requires clear-eyed analysis of feature sets, usability, and performance across different shooting scenarios. The Samsung SL720 (also known as the PL70) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX350 represent distinct directions in compact camera design, released five years apart with differing technological emphases. This comparison leverages extensive hands-on testing experience, exacting assessment methodologies, and practical evaluation to help serious photographers and enthusiasts discern which model better fits specific needs.

Design, Ergonomics, and Handling: Ultracompact Versus Compact Superzoom

Physically, both cameras occupy the small-camera category, but their form factors and handling experiences diverge meaningfully.

• Samsung SL720: True ultracompact dimensions (92 x 61 x 23 mm) and weight at 168 grams make this model eminently pocketable. The petite footprint facilitates discrete shooting, appreciated by street and travel photographers valuing minimalism. However, the tighter body layout compromises grip comfort for users with larger hands, and button layouts lack backlighting or tactile differentiation, which hampers operation in low light.

• Sony WX350: Slightly larger (96 x 55 x 26 mm) and lighter at 164 grams despite added zoom capabilities, the WX350 offers a contoured grip area improving hold stability. The increased body depth accommodates a longer zoom lens while maintaining compact portability. Controls, although not illuminated, are generally well placed for thumb and index finger reach, facilitating quicker camera adjustments on the fly.

The ergonomics differences reflect intended core uses - Samsung leans toward simplicity and minimalism, while Sony caters to users needing a versatile zoom without sacrificing ease of access. In extended handheld use scenarios, the WX350’s grip and control scheme minimize fatigue and operational frustration.

Sensor Specifications and Image Quality: Past Versus Improved Small-Sensor Performance

Both cameras utilize the same sensor class of 1/2.3", but with distinct sensor types and resolutions impacting photographic output.

• Samsung SL720: Employs a 12-megapixel CCD sensor (6.08 x 4.56 mm, 27.72 mm² sensor area). CCD technology, though once the standard for compact cameras, is now largely superseded by CMOS sensors due to inherent energy inefficiencies and slower readout speeds. The CCD sensor limits dynamic range and low-light sensitivity, with a top native ISO of 1600 but notable noise onset above ISO 400 in practice. The anti-alias filter is present, reducing moiré but slightly sacrificing sharpness. The camera outputs JPEG exclusively with no RAW support, constraining post-processing latitude.

• Sony WX350: Offers an 18-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm, 28.07 mm² sensor area). The BSI-CMOS architecture allows improved light gathering, superior noise performance, and better dynamic range compared to CCD predecessors. Maximum native ISO reaches 12800, with usable image quality maintained up to ISO 1600 and moderately at ISO 3200 in daylight or controlled lighting. Its 18 MP resolution supports larger prints and cropping flexibility. However, Sony does not provide RAW capture on this model, limiting professional color grading options.

Image Quality Summary: Real-world tests confirm the WX350 delivers noticeably cleaner, more detailed images, particularly under mixed lighting and at higher ISO settings. The SL720’s images appear softer with less defined textures and color fidelity, particularly in shadows.

LCD and Viewfinder Interface: Display Real Estate and Usability

For compositional framing, review, and menu navigation, LCD size, resolution, and interface responsiveness are critical.

• Samsung SL720: Features a 2.7-inch fixed LCD with 230k-dot resolution. The screen is non-touch and uses older LCD technology with limited viewing angles and washed-out colors in bright sunlight. With no viewfinder option, reliance on this screen necessitates careful shooting angles, especially outdoors.

• Sony WX350: Equipped with a larger 3.0-inch fixed LCD boasting 460k-dot resolution, nearly double the pixel count of the SL720. The screen exhibits strong contrast and accurate color representation. Its anti-reflective coating considerably improves daylight visibility. This model also lacks an electronic viewfinder, which is a notable omission given its zoom range and potential for outdoor use.

In use, the WX350’s display markedly improves framing precision and on-the-go image review, particularly when shooting at telephoto focal lengths or under variable lighting conditions.

Lens and Zoom Capability: Versatility in Reach Vs. Brightness Trade-offs

Lens performance is a crucial factor influencing the camera’s aptitude for different photography genres.

• Samsung SL720 Lens: 28-102mm equivalent (3.6x zoom) f/2.8–5.7 aperture range. The lens offers a moderately wide-angle starting focal length suitable for general snapshots and portraits, with decent maximum aperture at the wide end supporting background separation. However, telephoto reach is quite limited, restricting distant subject framing.

• Sony WX350 Lens: 25-500mm equivalent (20x zoom) f/3.5–6.5 aperture. This superzoom scale vastly expands creative possibilities, particularly for wildlife and sports enthusiasts requiring long reach without lens swapping. The broader focal length range exceeds entry-level DSLR kit lenses, albeit with a diminished maximum aperture - meaning lower light-gathering capabilities and shallower depth-of-field control. The optical image stabilization system compensates for potential shake especially at extended focal lengths.

In practical evaluation, the WX350’s zoom exploits allow compelling framing flexibility, but photographers must remain mindful of reduced aperture, impacting low-light and fast-action performance. Conversely, SL720’s shorter zoom is paired with a brighter aperture on the wide end allowing easier background blur and better indoor performance.

Autofocus System and Shooting Speed: Responsiveness and Tracking

Autofocus accuracy, speed, and operational modes critically affect usability in dynamic and low-contrast environments.

• Samsung SL720: Utilizes contrast-detection autofocus exclusive to live view. It features single AF mode only with no continuous or tracking options, and crucially, lacks face or eye detection. The system is slow by current standards, often hunting in low contrast or low light. Focus precision diminishes notably at telephoto settings.

• Sony WX350: Employs contrast-detection AF with face detection and tracking capability. Although continuous AF is unsupported, the camera’s AF system delivers faster lock times and reliable subject tracking when shooting moving targets. It maintains performance reasonably well in moderately low light supported by the sensor’s sensitivity and stabilized lens.

Shooting Speed:

• SL720 does not support continuous shooting.
• WX350 offers a continuous rate of up to 10 frames per second, useful for capturing action sequences.

These differences position the WX350 as a better option for wildlife, sports, and candid street photography where autofocus responsiveness and speed are paramount.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity: Endurance and Workflow

Shooting endurance and data handling impact prolonged usage and workflow efficiency.

• Samsung SL720: Uses a proprietary SLB-10A battery, with manufacturer estimates omitted and real-world runtime varying widely. Storage options include SD/MMC/SDHC cards plus internal memory. Lack of wireless connectivity restricts immediate image sharing or remote control.

• Sony WX350: Implements NP-BX1 battery pack rated for approximately 470 shots per charge - a substantial advantage for travel and event photography. Compatible with SD/SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick formats for versatility. Its built-in Wi-Fi enables remote camera control and seamless image transfer, streamlining contemporary workflows.

USB 2.0 ports and HDMI output on the Sony model further facilitate rapid image offload and viewing on external devices - features absent on the Samsung.

Video Recording Capabilities: Basic Vlogging Versus Full HD Footage

Choosing between these cameras requires consideration of video usages, from casual recording to purposeful multimedia projects.

• Samsung SL720: Records low-resolution video in Motion JPEG format, maxing out at 640x480 pixels at 30 frames per second. This limitation confines the SL720 to rudimentary clip capture, suitable only for casual use without expectations for clarity or editing flexibility.

• Sony WX350: Offers Full HD 1080p video recording in AVCHD and MP4 formats, supporting 60p and 60i frame rates. The inclusion of optical image stabilization benefits handheld video smoothness. Despite the absence of external microphone inputs, the WX350’s video capability is markedly superior for casual but quality-focused video content creation.

Build Quality and Environmental Considerations

Neither camera includes weather sealing, dustproofing, or shock resistance. This status quo aligns with their market tiers as consumer compacts. Accordingly, users intending to shoot in challenging conditions should use protective accessories or choose alternative models.

Genre-Specific Performance: Mapping Cameras to Photographic Disciplines

No compact camera perfectly fits all genres; nuanced evaluation clarifies where each excels.

• Portrait Photography:
  The SL720 offers a brighter wide-end aperture (f/2.8) facilitating better skin tone rendering and pleasing bokeh effects, despite limited zoom. However, face detection absence impairs eye autofocus reliability. The WX350’s face detection and tracking enhance sharpness on subjects’ eyes, critical for portrait shooters, but weaker aperture limits background separation.

• Landscape Photography:
  WX350’s higher resolution sensor captures more detail, important for expansive scenes. The broader ISO scope permits shooting at dawn/dusk with better noise control. Despite its lack of weather sealing, the camera’s longer focal length aids composition. SL720’s wider aperture is less impactful here, and its sensor resolution is modest.

• Wildlife and Sports:
  The WX350’s 20x zoom, faster AF acquisition, and continuous shooting make it suitable for photographing wildlife and moderate-action sports. SL720’s 3.6x zoom and sluggish AF eliminate it from serious consideration in dynamic contexts.

• Street Photography:
  SL720’s smaller footprint encourages discreetness - a notable asset for candid urban capture. However, WX350’s improved AF with face detection compensates in quick urban environments. Both lack viewfinders, relying on LCDs, with the WX350 possessing the conspicuous size disadvantage.

• Macro Photography:
  SL720 supports macro focusing down to 5cm, beneficial for flower or insect photography, but lack of focus bracketing or stacking limits control. WX350 does not specify macro focus range, making it less adaptable in this niche.

• Night and Astro Photography:
  WX350 provides extended ISO sensitivities and faster shutter speeds up to 1/1600 sec. Although sensor size restricts true astrophotography potential, this model manages noise better at high ISO than the SL720.

• Video:
  WX350 is the clear winner with Full HD 60p recording, optical stabilization, and multiple format options. SL720’s VGA resolution video is obsolete for any serious video work.

• Travel Photography:
  Both cameras score well on portability; however, battery longevity and zoom range make WX350 more versatile on trips involving varied subjects and distances.

• Professional Workflow:
  Neither camera supports RAW, and both rely on limited manual controls, constraining professional post-processing and exposure precision. USB 2.0 ports provide basic data transfer, with WX350’s Wi-Fi adding workflow convenience.

Samsung SL720 front Samsung SL720 screen back Sony WX350 front Sony WX350 screen back

Overall Performance and Scores

A quantitative synthesis with weighted metrics highlights the overall utility of each device.

The WX350 scores higher across sensors, AF, zoom, battery life, and video capability, reflecting a better-rounded modern compact. SL720 remains competitive for users prioritizing size and simple point-and-shoot operation with modest performance expectations.

Summing Up with Recommendations

The choice between Samsung SL720 and Sony WX350 hinges on usage priorities:

• Choose Samsung SL720 if:

  • You demand a truly pocket-sized, ultraportable camera for casual everyday shooting.
  • Low-light weak performance is acceptable in exchange for simpler interface and budget pricing (circa $120).
  • You primarily shoot portraits and prefer a modest zoom with a relatively bright wide aperture.
  • You want ease of use with minimal complex features or configurations.

• Choose Sony WX350 if:

  • You require versatile zoom range (25-500mm equiv.) for wildlife, travel, or sports photography.
  • Higher resolution, improved low-light performance, and superior autofocus are important.
  • You appreciate Full HD video capability with optical stabilization.
  • Extended battery life and wireless connectivity are relevant to your workflow.
  • You can accept a slightly larger camera body and higher cost (~$270).

Final Perspective

Both cameras are emblematic of their respective periods and design philosophies. The Samsung SL720 is a straightforward, no-frills ultracompact suited for novice users wanting simplicity in a pocketable package. The Sony WX350, benefiting from advances in sensor and processing technology, delivers enhanced all-around performance and creative flexibility, meeting the demands of enthusiasts who require more reach, video quality, and practical features in a compact form.

Given the rapid advances in compact camera technology, particularly in autofocus systems, sensor designs, and wireless integration, the WX350 remains a compelling choice for most practical scenarios. However, photographers whose activities demand ultimate pocketability and ease without complex settings might find the SL720 adequate and cost-effective.

Both models underscore the trade-offs inherent in choosing between size, zoom, image quality, and features - a balance every photographer must weigh to align their hardware with personal priorities and shooting context.

Samsung SL720 front Samsung SL720 screen back Sony WX350 front Sony WX350 screen back

Samsung SL720 front Samsung SL720 screen back Sony WX350 front Sony WX350 screen back