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Samsung PL120 vs Sony W230

Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30
Samsung PL120 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
25
Overall
31

Samsung PL120 vs Sony W230 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
  • Announced January 2011
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Launched February 2009
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Samsung PL120 vs Sony W230 Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Samsung PL120 versus Sony W230, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Samsung and Sony. The sensor resolution of the PL120 (14MP) and the W230 (12MP) is very similar and they feature the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The PL120 was announced 23 months after the W230 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Samsung PL120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony W230 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a thorough comparison, below is a simple overview of how the PL120 scores versus the W230 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Sony W230

 PL120 W230 
LaunchedJanuary 2011February 2009Newer by 23 months

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Samsung PL120

 W230 PL120 
Manual focus More exact focus
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Samsung PL120 and Sony W230

 PL120 W230 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Samsung PL120 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Samsung PL120 features outer dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") along with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) and the Sony W230 has sizing of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Take a look at the Samsung PL120 versus Sony W230 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the PL120 versus the W230.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the PL120 and W230 is 99 and 95 respectively.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to envision the difference between sensor dimensions just by reviewing specifications. The picture here will provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the PL120 and W230.

To sum up, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Samsung PL120 to offer extra detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics much more aggressively. The more modern PL120 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL120 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL120 Portrait photography factors
Sony W230 Portrait photography factors
28
good MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
27
manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Samsung PL120 Street photography factors
Sony W230 Street photography factors
49
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL120 Sports photography details
Sony W230 Sports photography details
26
good MP (14 megapixels)
can't change focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL120 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W230 as a Travel photography camera
71
good MP (14MP)
has built in flash
fast maximum aperture (f)
does not have Time Lapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly display
51
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
low resolution (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL120 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W230 as a Landscape photography camera
33
fast maximum aperture (f)
good MP (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
37
manual focus
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL120 Vlogging details
Sony W230 Vlogging details
31
fast maximum aperture (f)
has external mic socket
does not offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of mic support
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Samsung PL120 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL120 and Sony W230
 Samsung PL120Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung PL120 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-01-05 2009-02-17
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO - 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range () 30-120mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-5.8
Macro focusing distance - 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 1 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 3.90 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight - 156g (0.34 lbs)
Dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type - Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots - One
Cost at release $150 $180