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Samsung PL120 vs Sony a3500

Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30
Samsung PL120 front
 
Sony Alpha a3500 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
54
Overall
59

Samsung PL120 vs Sony a3500 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 a3500
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
  • Released March 2014
  • Old Model is Sony A3000
Photography Glossary

Samsung PL120 vs Sony a3500 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Samsung PL120 and Sony a3500, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Samsung and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the PL120 (14MP) and a3500 (20MP) and the PL120 (1/2.3") and a3500 (APS-C) boast different sensor sizing.

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The PL120 was launched 4 years before the a3500 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Samsung PL120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony a3500 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a short view of how the PL120 matches up against the a3500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Sony a3500

 PL120 a3500 

Reasons to pick Sony a3500 over the Samsung PL120

 a3500 PL120 
ReleasedMarch 2014January 2011More modern by 39 months
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Samsung PL120 and Sony a3500

 PL120 a3500 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Samsung PL120 vs Sony a3500 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Samsung PL120 offers outer dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") and a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) whilst the Sony a3500 has measurements of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).

Examine the Samsung PL120 and Sony a3500 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the PL120 compared to the a3500.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony a3500 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the PL120 and a3500 is 99 and 69 respectively.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony a3500 top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sony a3500 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizes just by reading technical specs. The pic here will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the PL120 and a3500.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The PL120 due to its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF more difficult and the Sony a3500 will offer you greater detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged PL120 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony a3500 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sony a3500 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL120 vs Sony a3500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung PL120
Portrait photography with Sony a3500
28
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
77
manual focus
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung PL120 Street photography information
Sony a3500 Street photography information
49
fixed screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
57
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
more heavy than competitors (411g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung PL120
Sports photography with Sony a3500
26
MP count decent (14MP)
fixed focal length (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
60
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
better than average battery power (470 shots)
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL120 as a Travel photography camera
Sony a3500 as a Travel photography camera
71
MP count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
great maximum aperture (f)
lack of Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
60
better than average battery power (470 CIPA)
megapixel count good (20MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors (411g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL120 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony a3500 as a Landscape photography camera
33
great maximum aperture (f)
MP count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
70
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (470 per charge)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL120 Vlogging advice
Sony a3500 Vlogging advice
31
great maximum aperture (f)
has microphone support
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
26
provides face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
doesn't have microphone support
more heavy than competitors (411 grams)
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Samsung PL120 vs Sony a3500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL120 and Sony a3500
 Samsung PL120Sony Alpha a3500
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model Samsung PL120 Sony Alpha a3500
Type Ultracompact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2011-01-05 2014-03-21
Physical type Ultracompact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ image
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 5456 x 3632
Maximum native ISO 3200 16000
Lowest native ISO - 100
RAW data
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 mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range () -
Available lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.47x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash settings - Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 1920 x 1080
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format - AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 - 411 grams (0.91 pounds)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 470 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer - Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay)
Time lapse feature
Card slots - One
Retail cost $150 $398