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Samsung PL120 vs Sony A9

Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30
Samsung PL120 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Samsung PL120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 0 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • n/ag - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2011
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Launched April 2017
  • Replacement is Sony A9 II
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Samsung PL120 vs Sony A9 Overview

Below is a extended review of the Samsung PL120 and Sony A9, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Samsung and Sony. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the PL120 (14MP) and A9 (24MP) and the PL120 (1/2.3") and A9 (Full frame) have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The PL120 was revealed 7 years earlier than the A9 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Samsung PL120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise overview of how the PL120 scores against the A9 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Sony A9

 PL120 A9 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Samsung PL120

 A9 PL120 
LaunchedApril 2017January 2011More recent by 76 months
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1440k230kSharper display (+1210k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Samsung PL120 and Sony A9

 PL120 A9 
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Samsung PL120 has physical measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) whilst the Sony A9 has proportions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") along with a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Examine the Samsung PL120 and Sony A9 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the PL120 compared to the A9.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the PL120 and A9 is 99 and 65 respectively.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to visualise the gap in sensor measurements merely by researching technical specs. The graphic underneath may provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the PL120 and A9.

As you have seen, both cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The PL120 with its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Sony A9 will render extra detail because of its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos way more aggressively. The older PL120 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL120 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A9 as a Portrait photography camera
28
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
83
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung PL120
Street photography with Sony A9
49
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
79
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
boasts focus by touch
environment proofing
very good high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL120 Sports photography info
Sony A9 Sports photography info
26
MP count decent (14MP)
fixed focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
86
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/32,000s)
max frames per second high (20.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
better than average battery power (650 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL120 Travel photography advice
Sony A9 Travel photography advice
71
MP count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
good maximum aperture (f)
no Timelapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
73
better than average battery power (650 per charge)
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL120 Landscape photography features
Sony A9 Landscape photography features
33
good maximum aperture (f)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Timelapse function
85
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
very good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
better than average battery power (650 CIPA)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL120 Vlogging info
Sony A9 Vlogging info
31
good maximum aperture (f)
has microphone jack
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
36
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes microphone port
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Samsung PL120 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL120 and Sony A9
 Samsung PL120Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model Samsung PL120 Sony Alpha A9
Type Ultracompact Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2011-01-05 2017-04-19
Body design Ultracompact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 28.5mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 3200 51200
Maximum boosted ISO - 204800
Minimum native ISO - 100
RAW support
Minimum boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 693
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range () -
Total lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 20.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash settings - Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight - 673 grams (1.48 lb)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 92
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.3
DXO Low light score not tested 3517
Other
Battery life - 650 images
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FZ100
Self timer - Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage - Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots - Dual
Launch price $150 $4,498