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Samsung PL120 vs Sony RX100 IV

Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30
Samsung PL120 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
79
Overall
62

Samsung PL120 vs Sony RX100 IV 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
  • Revealed January 2011
Sony RX100 IV
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 298g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Introduced June 2015
  • Succeeded the Sony RX100 III
  • Replacement is Sony RX100 V
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Samsung PL120 vs Sony RX100 IV Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Samsung PL120 and Sony RX100 IV, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the PL120 (14MP) and RX100 IV (20MP) and the PL120 (1/2.3") and RX100 IV (1") posses totally different sensor dimensions.

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The PL120 was introduced 5 years before the RX100 IV which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Samsung PL120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony RX100 IV being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going right into a thorough comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the PL120 matches up versus the RX100 IV in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Sony RX100 IV

 PL120 RX100 IV 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 IV over the Samsung PL120

 RX100 IV PL120 
IntroducedJune 2015January 2011More modern by 53 months
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1229k230kCrisper display (+999k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Samsung PL120 and Sony RX100 IV

 PL120 RX100 IV 
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Samsung PL120 vs Sony RX100 IV Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and size. The Samsung PL120 has got external 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) while the Sony RX100 IV has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") and a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs).

Check the Samsung PL120 and Sony RX100 IV in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the PL120 versus the RX100 IV.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony RX100 IV size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the PL120 and RX100 IV is 99 and 89 respectively.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony RX100 IV top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sony RX100 IV Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizes simply by going through a spec sheet. The picture here may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the PL120 and RX100 IV.

As you can see, both of those cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The PL120 with its smaller sensor will make getting shallow DOF trickier and the Sony RX100 IV will provide greater detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics more aggressively. The more aged PL120 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony RX100 IV sensor size comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL120 vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung PL120
Portrait photography with Sony RX100 IV
28
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
65
has manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (1")
features face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung PL120
Street photography with Sony RX100 IV
49
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
85
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is decent (1")
saves RAW files
lighter than others (298g)
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL120 as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX100 IV as a Sports photography camera
26
megapixel count good (14MP)
fixed focal length (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
68
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
high frames per second (16.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (1")
features tracking focus
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL120 Travel photography information
Sony RX100 IV Travel photography information
71
megapixel count good (14MP)
built-in flash
good maximum aperture (f)
no Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
86
lighter than others (298 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
rather wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL120 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony RX100 IV as a Landscape photography camera
33
good maximum aperture (f)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Timelapse function
74
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
saves RAW files
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL120 Vlogging information
Sony RX100 IV Vlogging information
31
good maximum aperture (f)
does have external microphone jack
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
81
rather wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
lighter than others (298 grams)
doesn't have mic socket
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Samsung PL120 vs Sony RX100 IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL120 and Sony RX100 IV
 Samsung PL120Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
General Information
Brand Samsung Sony
Model Samsung PL120 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
Type Ultracompact Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-01-05 2015-06-10
Physical type Ultracompact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor dimensions 6.16 x 4.62mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 28.5mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO - 125
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 25
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range () 24-70mm (2.9x)
Highest aperture - f/1.8-2.8
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.7
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.59x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 16.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/24p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p/24p/120p), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 - 298 grams (0.66 lb)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 70
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.6
DXO Low light score not tested 562
Other
Battery life - 280 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BX1
Self timer - Yes
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Storage type - SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots - One
Launch cost $150 $898