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Samsung SL720 vs Sony A99

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Samsung SL720 front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
69
Features
88
Overall
76

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A99 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
  • Revealed July 2009
  • Alternative Name is PL70
Sony A99
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
  • Introduced December 2012
  • Older Model is Sony A900
  • Successor is Sony A99 II
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Samsung SL720 vs Sony A99 Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Samsung SL720 versus Sony A99, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Samsung and Sony. There exists a large gap among the image resolutions of the SL720 (12MP) and A99 (24MP) and the SL720 (1/2.3") and A99 (Full frame) use different sensor dimensions.

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The SL720 was introduced 4 years prior to the A99 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Samsung SL720 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A99 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the SL720 scores against the A99 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung SL720 over the Sony A99

 SL720 A99 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Samsung SL720

 A99 SL720 
IntroducedDecember 2012July 2009Fresher by 41 months
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1229k230kClearer screen (+999k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Samsung SL720 and Sony A99

 SL720 A99 
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera, you will want to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Samsung SL720 features exterior dimensions of 92mm x 61mm x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") having a weight of 168 grams (0.37 lbs) and the Sony A99 has dimensions of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") and a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Analyze the Samsung SL720 versus Sony A99 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the SL720 versus the A99.

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A99 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SL720 and A99 is 94 and 57 respectively.

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizing merely by viewing a spec sheet. The photograph underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SL720 and A99.

As you can see, each of these cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SL720 having a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF harder and the Sony A99 will result in extra detail using its extra 12MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older SL720 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung SL720 vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung SL720
Portrait photography with Sony A99
21
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
81
manual focus
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports face detect focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung SL720
Street photography with Sony A99
47
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
heavier than competition in class (168 grams)
75
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
very good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Samsung SL720 Sports photography factors
Sony A99 Sports photography factors
17
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
78
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
weather sealing
has phase detect AF
bad battery power (500 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung SL720 Travel photography features
Sony A99 Travel photography features
56
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (168g)
megapixel count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
60
weather sealing
resolution is good (24MP)
selfie friendly screen
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (500 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung SL720 Landscape photography info
Sony A99 Landscape photography info
27
quite wide (28mm)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
74
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
has double storage slots
bad battery power (500 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung SL720 Vlogging info
Sony A99 Vlogging info
25
quite wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
heavier than competition in class (168 grams)
76
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic port
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Samsung SL720 vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung SL720 and Sony A99
 Samsung SL720Sony SLT-A99
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model Samsung SL720 Sony SLT-A99
Otherwise known as PL70 -
Category Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2009-07-14 2012-12-12
Body design Ultracompact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 1600 25600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 19
Cross focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-102mm (3.6x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.7 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/1500s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed - 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.60 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/250s
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, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 168 gr (0.37 pounds) 812 gr (1.79 pounds)
Dimensions 92 x 61 x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 89
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1555
Other
Battery life - 500 photos
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model SLB-10A NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Storage slots One Dual
Price at launch $119 $1,998