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Samsung PL120 vs Sony S930

Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30
Samsung PL120 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Samsung PL120 vs Sony S930 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 S930
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.4" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 320 x 240 video
  • 38-108mm (F2.9-5.4) lens
  • 167g - 90 x 61 x 26mm
  • Revealed January 2009
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Samsung PL120 vs Sony S930 Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Samsung PL120 and Sony S930, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Samsung and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the resolutions of the PL120 (14MP) and S930 (10MP) but they use the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The PL120 was introduced 2 years later than the S930 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Samsung PL120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony S930 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a quick overview of how the PL120 grades versus the S930 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Sony S930

 PL120 S930 
RevealedJanuary 2011January 2009More recent by 25 months
Screen sizing2.7"2.4"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution230k112kCrisper screen (+118k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S930 over the Samsung PL120

 S930 PL120 
Focus manually More accurate focus

Common features in the Samsung PL120 and Sony S930

 PL120 S930 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Samsung PL120 vs Sony S930 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Samsung PL120 features 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) and the Sony S930 has sizing of 90mm x 61mm x 26mm (3.5" x 2.4" x 1.0") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Samsung PL120 and Sony S930 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Below is the front view size comparison of the PL120 and the S930.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony S930 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the PL120 and S930 is 99 and 94 respectively.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony S930 top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sony S930 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to imagine the difference in sensor measurements just by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the PL120 and S930.

Clearly, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can count on the Samsung PL120 to result in more detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively. The fresher PL120 should have an edge in sensor innovation.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony S930 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sony S930 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL120 vs Sony S930 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL120 Portrait photography details
Sony S930 Portrait photography details
28
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
26
focusing manually
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung PL120 Street photography information
Sony S930 Street photography information
49
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL120 as a Sports photography camera
Sony S930 as a Sports photography camera
26
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
fixed focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
24
image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL120 Travel photography info
Sony S930 Travel photography info
71
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
has built in flash
fast maximum aperture (f)
missing Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
50
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL120 Landscape photography highlights
Sony S930 Landscape photography highlights
33
fast maximum aperture (f)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
31
focusing manually
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
screen is small (2.4 inches)
manual exposure not available
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL120 as a Vlogging camera
Sony S930 as a Vlogging camera
31
fast maximum aperture (f)
has external mic socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (320 x 240 pixels)
missing external microphone socket
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Samsung PL120 vs Sony S930 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL120 and Sony S930
 Samsung PL120Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930
General Information
Brand Samsung Sony
Model Samsung PL120 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930
Category Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-01-05 2009-01-08
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO - 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range () 38-108mm (2.8x)
Max aperture - f/2.9-5.4
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 2.4 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 112k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 1/8s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 3.00 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings - Auto, Forced Flash, Slow Syncro, No Flash
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 320x240
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none none
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight - 167g (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 90 x 61 x 26mm (3.5" x 2.4" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 model - 2 x AA
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type - Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / PRo-HG Duo, Internal
Card slots - One
Retail price $150 $219