Clicky

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A700

Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30
Samsung PL120 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 front
Portability
58
Imaging
51
Features
58
Overall
53

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A700 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 A700
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 768g - 142 x 105 x 80mm
  • Launched December 2007
  • Superseded the Konica Minolta 7D
  • Renewed by Sony A77
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A700 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Samsung PL120 and Sony A700, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the PL120 (14MP) and the A700 (12MP) is fairly similar but the PL120 (1/2.3") and A700 (APS-C) have totally different sensor measurements.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The PL120 was released 3 years after the A700 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Samsung PL120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A700 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a concise summary of how the PL120 grades against the A700 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Sony A700

 PL120 A700 
LaunchedJanuary 2011December 2007More modern by 38 months

Reasons to pick Sony A700 over the Samsung PL120

 A700 PL120 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Samsung PL120 and Sony A700

 PL120 A700 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A700 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Samsung PL120 provides outer dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) and the Sony A700 has measurements of 142mm x 105mm x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1") along with a weight of 768 grams (1.69 lbs).

Compare the Samsung PL120 and Sony A700 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the PL120 compared to the A700.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A700 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the PL120 and A700 is 99 and 58 respectively.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A700 top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A700 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizes just by going over specs. The image here will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the PL120 and A700.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The PL120 because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Samsung PL120 will offer you more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The newer PL120 is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A700 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A700 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A700 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL120 Portrait photography features
Sony A700 Portrait photography features
28
decent megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
54
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no liveview
sensor resolution low (12MP)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung PL120
Street photography with Sony A700
49
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
64
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proof
screen is fixed
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Samsung PL120 Sports photography details
Sony A700 Sports photography details
26
decent megapixels (14MP)
can't change focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
56
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview
low frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Samsung PL120 Travel photography information
Sony A700 Travel photography information
71
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
good maximum aperture (f)
no Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
49
weather proof
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL120 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A700 as a Landscape photography camera
33
good maximum aperture (f)
decent megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Timelapse function
62
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proof
has dual storage slots
no liveview
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL120 Vlogging info
Sony A700 Vlogging info
31
good maximum aperture (f)
does have external microphone jack
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
9
no video shooting
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A700 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL120 and Sony A700
 Samsung PL120Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model Samsung PL120 Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
Class Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2011-01-05 2007-12-19
Body design Ultracompact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.16 x 4.62mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.5mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4272 x 2848
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO - 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range () -
Amount of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.6x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 12.00 m
Flash settings - Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, rear curtain, Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight - 768 grams (1.69 lb)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 142 x 105 x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.9
DXO Low light score not tested 581
Other
Battery model - NP-FM500H
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media - Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Storage slots - Two
Cost at launch $150 $1,000