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Samsung PL120 vs Sony A7S

Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30
Samsung PL120 front
 
Sony Alpha A7S front
Portability
77
Imaging
60
Features
73
Overall
65

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A7S 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
  • Released January 2011
Sony A7S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 409600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 489g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Released April 2014
  • Refreshed by Sony A7S II
Photography Glossary

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A7S Overview

In this article, we will be looking at the Samsung PL120 vs Sony A7S, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. The sensor resolution of the PL120 (14MP) and the A7S (12MP) is relatively close but the PL120 (1/2.3") and A7S (Full frame) come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The PL120 was announced 4 years before the A7S and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Samsung PL120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A7S being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the PL120 grades vs the A7S when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Sony A7S

 PL120 A7S 

Reasons to pick Sony A7S over the Samsung PL120

 A7S PL120 
ReleasedApril 2014January 2011Fresher by 39 months
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1230k230kClearer screen (+1000k dot)

Common features in the Samsung PL120 and Sony A7S

 PL120 A7S 
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A7S Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Samsung PL120 has outside dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") having a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) while the Sony A7S has dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 489 grams (1.08 lbs).

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Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the PL120 compared to the A7S.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A7S size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the PL120 and A7S is 99 and 77 respectively.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A7S top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A7S Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to envision the difference in sensor sizing just by viewing technical specs. The visual below will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the PL120 and A7S.

As you can tell, the two cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The PL120 with its smaller sensor will make getting shallow depth of field trickier and the Samsung PL120 will result in greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots far more aggressively. The older PL120 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A7S sensor size comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A7S Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A7S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL120 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A7S as a Portrait photography camera
28
good MP (14MP)
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
68
focusing manually
big sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Samsung PL120 Street photography info
Sony A7S Street photography info
49
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
76
has a tilting screen
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
lighter than competition in class (489 grams)
very good ISO range (409,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL120 Sports photography details
Sony A7S Sports photography details
26
good MP (14 megapixels)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
52
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
environment proof
max frames per second low (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (360 per charge)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL120 Travel photography factors
Sony A7S Travel photography factors
71
good MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
fast max aperture (f)
missing Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
58
lighter than competition in class (489 grams)
environment proof
terrible battery pack (360 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL120 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A7S as a Landscape photography camera
33
fast max aperture (f)
good MP (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
66
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
big sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (409,600)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (360 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung PL120
Vlogging with Sony A7S
31
fast max aperture (f)
includes microphone socket
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
34
has face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with mic port
lighter than competition in class (489g)
does not have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
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Samsung PL120 vs Sony A7S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL120 and Sony A7S
 Samsung PL120Sony Alpha A7S
General Information
Make Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung PL120 Sony Alpha A7S
Class Ultracompact Pro Mirrorless
Released 2011-01-05 2014-04-06
Body design Ultracompact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.16 x 4.62mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4240 x 2832
Highest native ISO 3200 409600
Lowest native ISO - 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 25
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range () -
Total lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 1,230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash settings - no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 3840 x 2160, XAVC S 1080 60p(50Mbps), 30p (50Mbps), 24p (50Mbps). 720 120p (50Mbps). AVCHD 60p (28Mbps), 60i (24Mbps/17Mbps), 24p (24Mbps/17Mbps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight - 489 gr (1.08 lb)
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 rating not tested 87
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 3702
Other
Battery life - 360 pictures
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID - 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
Storage slots - Single
Retail cost $150 $1,998