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Samsung PL120 vs Sony A230

Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30
Samsung PL120 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A230 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
  • Introduced January 2011
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Announced May 2009
  • Old Model is Sony A200
  • Newer Model is Sony A290
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Samsung PL120 vs Sony A230 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Samsung PL120 vs Sony A230, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Samsung and Sony. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the PL120 (14MP) and A230 (10MP) and the PL120 (1/2.3") and A230 (APS-C) offer different sensor size.

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The PL120 was released 20 months after the A230 which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Samsung PL120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a complete comparison, here is a short introduction of how the PL120 grades against the A230 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Sony A230

 PL120 A230 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011May 2009More modern by 20 months

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Samsung PL120

 A230 PL120 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing

Common features in the Samsung PL120 and Sony A230

 PL120 A230 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen size
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Samsung PL120 provides exterior dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) and the Sony A230 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Check out the Samsung PL120 vs Sony A230 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 have at that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the PL120 against the A230.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the PL120 and A230 is 99 and 69 respectively.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizes purely by viewing technical specs. The image underneath will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the PL120 and A230.

As you can tell, both of these cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The PL120 because of its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Samsung PL120 will render extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The newer PL120 should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL120 Portrait photography information
Sony A230 Portrait photography information
28
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
54
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
megapixel count low (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung PL120
Street photography with Sony A230
49
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL120 Sports photography highlights
Sony A230 Sports photography highlights
26
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
fixed focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
46
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
terrible battery (230 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL120 Travel photography information
Sony A230 Travel photography information
71
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
great max aperture (f)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
45
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
terrible battery (230 shots)
megapixel count low (10MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL120 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A230 as a Landscape photography camera
33
great max aperture (f)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
51
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.7")
no liveview feature
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
terrible battery (230 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL120 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A230 as a Vlogging camera
31
great max aperture (f)
comes with mic support
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
9
can't record video
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Samsung PL120 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL120 and Sony A230
 Samsung PL120Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Brand Samsung Sony
Model Samsung PL120 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Type Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2011-01-05 2009-05-18
Physical type Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.16 x 4.62mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO - 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
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 - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range () -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate - 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 10.00 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 - 490g (1.08 pounds)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 63
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.4
DXO Low light score not tested 531
Other
Battery life - 230 photographs
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FH50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage - SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots - 1
Price at launch $150 $569