WordPress settings API VS Table In Database?

You should use Custom Post Types. No extra table, no missuse of Settings API.

Use CPTs with Title field, WYSIWYG/textarea (for caption) & a featured image (for the actual slider image). This way later themes can also make use of it. Just name the CPT “slider”.

HereĀ“s a read why sliders & carousels are not a good choice.