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Samsung PL120 vs Sony A7R

Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30
Samsung PL120 front
 
Sony Alpha A7R front
Portability
78
Imaging
74
Features
76
Overall
74

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A7R Key Specs

Samsung PL120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 0 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • n/ag - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Revealed January 2011
Sony A7R
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 465g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Released February 2014
  • Refreshed by Sony A7R II
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Samsung PL120 vs Sony A7R Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Samsung PL120 vs Sony A7R, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Samsung and Sony. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the PL120 (14MP) and A7R (36MP) and the PL120 (1/2.3") and A7R (Full frame) provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The PL120 was manufactured 4 years before the A7R which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Samsung PL120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A7R being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the PL120 scores vs the A7R in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Sony A7R

 PL120 A7R 

Reasons to pick Sony A7R over the Samsung PL120

 A7R PL120 
ReleasedFebruary 2014January 2011More modern by 37 months
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1230k230kClearer screen (+1000k dot)

Common features in the Samsung PL120 and Sony A7R

 PL120 A7R 
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A7R Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Samsung PL120 provides outside dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") along with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) whilst the Sony A7R has dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") having a weight of 465 grams (1.03 lbs).

See the Samsung PL120 vs Sony A7R in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use at the time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the PL120 versus the A7R.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A7R size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the PL120 and A7R is 99 and 78 respectively.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A7R top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A7R Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to visualise the difference in sensor sizes simply by researching specs. The picture underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the PL120 and A7R.

All in all, the two cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The PL120 due to its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field trickier and the Sony A7R will render extra detail due to its extra 22 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more aged PL120 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A7R sensor size comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A7R Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A7R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL120 Portrait photography factors
Sony A7R Portrait photography factors
28
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
84
has manual focus
amazing resolution (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has face detection focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung PL120 as a Street photography camera
Sony A7R as a Street photography camera
49
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
80
has a tilting screen
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
lighter than competition in class (465g)
great high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL120 Sports photography advice
Sony A7R Sports photography advice
26
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
fixed focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
62
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
amazing resolution (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
environment sealing
max frames per second low (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery pack (340 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL120 Travel photography advice
Sony A7R Travel photography advice
71
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
fast maximum aperture (f)
does not have Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
70
lighter than competition in class (465g)
environment sealing
amazing resolution (36 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (340 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL120 Landscape photography features
Sony A7R Landscape photography features
33
fast maximum aperture (f)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Timelapse function
78
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
amazing resolution (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
does not have anti-alias filter
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery pack (340 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL120 Vlogging features
Sony A7R Vlogging features
31
fast maximum aperture (f)
does have microphone socket
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
36
has face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external microphone support
lighter than competition in class (465g)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
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Samsung PL120 vs Sony A7R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL120 and Sony A7R
 Samsung PL120Sony Alpha A7R
General Information
Make Samsung Sony
Model Samsung PL120 Sony Alpha A7R
Class Ultracompact Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-01-05 2014-02-13
Physical type Ultracompact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 7360 x 4912
Max native ISO 3200 25600
Minimum native ISO - 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 25
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range () -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 1,230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash options - no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight - 465g (1.03 lbs)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 95
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 2746
Other
Battery life - 340 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots - 1
Price at release $150 $1,898