Samsung SL102: An Affordable and High-Quality Camera for Amateur Photographers

The Samsung SL102 is a compact and budget-friendly camera that has gained popularity among amateur photographers. With its 10.2-megapixel sensor, 3x optical zoom, and lightweight design, this camera provides impressive image quality at an affordable price. In this blog, we will explore the features and benefits of the Samsung SL102 that make it a popular choice for those new to photography.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Samsung SL102 article cover photo

Key Features

Jan 08 2009

Announced

10 megapixels

Resolution

BrandSamsung
Sensor Type1/2.3-inch
SensorCCD
Weight116g
MSRP$120USD

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Overview of the SL102

For those who are just getting started in photography, investing in an expensive camera can be overwhelming. Fortunately, there are affordable options that can still produce high-quality images. The Samsung SL102 is one such camera that has gained positive reviews from users and experts alike. In this blog, we will dive into the features and specifications of the Samsung SL102, and why it has become a favorite among beginners. So, let's take a closer look at what this camera has to offer.

Samsung SL102 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Samsung SL102 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High-resolution images
User-friendly interface
Affordable pricing
Good battery life
Compact and lightweight design

Cons

Limited manual controls
No wifi connectivity
Slow autofocus
Limited video recording capabilities
No viewfinder

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Samsung SL102

Weather sealed
Dimensions90 x 59 x 22mm
Weight116g
Thickness22mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
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This
Max

Weather Sealing

The Samsung SL102 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderNone
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution230k dots
Body typeCompact

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 2.50" screen, with a display resolution of 230k dots. This makes the Samsung SL102 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

Samsung SL102 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the SL102 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Samsung SL102 has a 10MP sized CCD sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 10 pixels. Samsung SL102 has a native ISO range of 80 - 1600 which can be boosted to null - null.

Key Features

Jan 08 2009

Announced

80 - 1600

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3-inch
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution3648 x 2736 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Samsung SL102 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the SL102 is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: 1/2.3-inch

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Battery Life
Battery Model
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Samsung SL102 supports SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Samsung SL102 uses the undefined model of undefined. This is rated for undefined shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Samsung SL102 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Samsung SL102 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/1500s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Samsung SL102 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with null number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Samsung SL102?

The Samsung SL102 features a CCD sensor

Is the Samsung SL102 weather sealed?

No the SL102 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Samsung SL102 announced?

The Samsung SL102 was announced on Jan 08 2009

Does the Samsung SL102 have in-body image stabilization?

No the SL102 does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Samsung SL102?

The SL102 has a native ISO range of 80-1600, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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