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Samsung CL5 vs Sony A7S III

Portability
95
Imaging
32
Features
14
Overall
24
Samsung CL5 front
 
Sony Alpha A7S III front
Portability
61
Imaging
65
Features
92
Overall
75

Samsung CL5 vs Sony A7S III Key Specs

Samsung CL5
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-114mm (F3.5-4.5) lens
  • 141g - 93 x 60 x 19mm
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Other Name is PL10
Sony A7S III
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 102400 (Bump to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 699g - 129 x 97 x 81mm
  • Introduced July 2020
  • Old Model is Sony A7S II
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Samsung CL5 vs Sony A7S III Overview

Following is a extensive comparison of the Samsung CL5 and Sony A7S III, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Samsung and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the image resolutions of the CL5 (9MP) and A7S III (12MP) and the CL5 (1/2.5") and A7S III (Full frame) provide different sensor measurements.

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The CL5 was revealed 12 years earlier than the A7S III which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Samsung CL5 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A7S III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the CL5 grades versus the A7S III with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung CL5 over the Sony A7S III

 CL5 A7S III 

Reasons to pick Sony A7S III over the Samsung CL5

 A7S III CL5 
IntroducedJuly 2020February 2009More modern by 138 months
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1440k230kClearer display (+1210k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Samsung CL5 and Sony A7S III

 CL5 A7S III 

Samsung CL5 vs Sony A7S III Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and measurements. The Samsung CL5 features physical measurements of 93mm x 60mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.7") and a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs) and the Sony A7S III has proportions of 129mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2") with a weight of 699 grams (1.54 lbs).

Examine the Samsung CL5 and Sony A7S III in our brand new 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 use at that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the CL5 against the A7S III.

Samsung CL5 vs Sony A7S III size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the CL5 and A7S III is 95 and 61 respectively.

Samsung CL5 vs Sony A7S III top view buttons comparison

Samsung CL5 vs Sony A7S III Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizes just by going over a spec sheet. The pic underneath will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the CL5 and A7S III.

As you can see, the 2 cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The CL5 with its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Sony A7S III will deliver greater detail because of its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images way more aggressively. The more aged CL5 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Samsung CL5 vs Sony A7S III sensor size comparison

Samsung CL5 vs Sony A7S III Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung CL5 vs Sony A7S III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung CL5 Portrait photography advice
Sony A7S III Portrait photography advice
24
includes face detection autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
resolution not great (9 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.5")
does not have RAW files
71
has manual focus
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Samsung CL5 Street photography info
Sony A7S III Street photography info
47
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.5")
does not have RAW files
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
has touch focus
weather sealing
great high ISO (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Samsung CL5 Sports photography details
Sony A7S III Sports photography details
16
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (9MP)
small sensor size (1/2.5")
does not have phase detect autofocus
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
weather sealing
great battery life (600 CIPA)
has phase detect autofocus
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Samsung CL5
Travel photography with Sony A7S III
51
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
resolution not great (9MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
70
great battery life (600 shots)
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
has touch focus
display is selfie friendly
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung CL5 Landscape photography features
Sony A7S III Landscape photography features
22
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (9MP)
small sensor size (1/2.5")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
77
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (102,400)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
great battery life (600 per charge)
2 card slots
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung CL5 Vlogging advice
Sony A7S III Vlogging advice
25
includes face detection autofocus
wide angle not good (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external mic port
77
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has external mic support
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Samsung CL5 vs Sony A7S III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung CL5 and Sony A7S III
 Samsung CL5Sony Alpha A7S III
General Information
Make Samsung Sony
Model Samsung CL5 Sony Alpha A7S III
Otherwise known as PL10 -
Type Ultracompact Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2009-02-23 2020-07-21
Physical type Ultracompact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz XR
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 5.744 x 4.308mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 9 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3456 x 2592 4240 x 2832
Highest native ISO 3200 102400
Highest enhanced ISO - 409600
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 759
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 38-114mm (3.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.5-4.5 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Crop factor 6.3 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully articulated
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 1,440k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.91x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 16 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 640x480 3840x2160
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-1, H.264, H.265
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 141g (0.31 lb) 699g (1.54 lb)
Physical dimensions 93 x 60 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.7") 129 x 97 x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 85
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.3
DXO Low light score not tested 2993
Other
Battery life - 600 photographs
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots
Card slots 1 Dual
Price at release $391 $3,499