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Samsung SL720 vs Sony A55

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Samsung SL720 front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A55 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
  • Introduced July 2009
  • Also referred to as PL70
Sony A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Launched August 2010
  • New Model is Sony A57
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Samsung SL720 vs Sony A55 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Samsung SL720 vs Sony A55, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Samsung and Sony. There exists a huge gap between the sensor resolutions of the SL720 (12MP) and A55 (16MP) and the SL720 (1/2.3") and A55 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SL720 was revealed 13 months earlier than the A55 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Samsung SL720 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the SL720 scores versus the A55 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung SL720 over the Sony A55

 SL720 A55 

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Samsung SL720

 A55 SL720 
LaunchedAugust 2010July 2009Newer by 13 months
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Samsung SL720 and Sony A55

 SL720 A55 
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera, you are going to need to think about its weight and measurements. The Samsung SL720 enjoys external dimensions of 92mm x 61mm x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") having a weight of 168 grams (0.37 lbs) while the Sony A55 has proportions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Take a look at the Samsung SL720 vs Sony A55 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the SL720 and the A55.

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A55 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SL720 and A55 is 94 and 67 respectively.

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to envision the difference between sensor dimensions just by checking a spec sheet. The image below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SL720 and A55.

Clearly, both cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The SL720 using its tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh more difficult and the Sony A55 will resolve greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SL720 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung SL720 Portrait photography advice
Sony A55 Portrait photography advice
21
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
73
focusing manually
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung SL720 Street photography advice
Sony A55 Street photography advice
47
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
heavier than competitors (168g)
77
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Samsung SL720 Sports photography details
Sony A55 Sports photography details
17
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
low battery power (380 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung SL720 Travel photography advice
Sony A55 Travel photography advice
56
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors (168g)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
62
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
does not have Timelapse function
low battery power (380 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung SL720 Landscape photography features
Sony A55 Landscape photography features
27
pretty wide (28mm)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
67
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
low battery power (380 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung SL720 Vlogging info
Sony A55 Vlogging info
25
pretty wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external mic support
heavier than competitors (168g)
78
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external microphone jack
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Samsung SL720 vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung SL720 and Sony A55
 Samsung SL720Sony SLT-A55
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model Samsung SL720 Sony SLT-A55
Also Known as PL70 -
Type Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2009-07-14 2010-08-24
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-102mm (3.6x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.7 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/1500s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed - 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.60 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 168g (0.37 pounds) 500g (1.10 pounds)
Physical dimensions 92 x 61 x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 73
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 816
Other
Battery life - 380 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model SLB-10A NP-FW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $119 $800