A sliding miter saw can make most of the same cuts as a compound miter saw. However, the blade extends by 12 or 16 inches to provide enough cutting width to tackle more substantial sheet material.
A compound miter saw has a pivoting arm that lets you set angles from 15, 30, and 45 degrees. This helps you make accurate cuts for frames, door and window trims, baseboards, and crown molding.
Compound saws have the ability to make deeper cuts whereas sliding saws have a wider cutting capacity.