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Samsung PL120 vs Sony W380

Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30
Samsung PL120 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W380 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
25
Overall
32

Samsung PL120 vs Sony W380 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
  • Announced January 2011
Sony W380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.4-5.9) lens
  • 117g - 91 x 52 x 20mm
  • Announced January 2010
Photography Glossary

Samsung PL120 vs Sony W380 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Samsung PL120 and Sony W380, both Ultracompact cameras by brands Samsung and Sony. The resolution of the PL120 (14MP) and the W380 (14MP) is very comparable and both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The PL120 was announced 13 months after the W380 making them a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a short highlight of how the PL120 grades against the W380 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Sony W380

 PL120 W380 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011January 2010More modern by 13 months

Reasons to pick Sony W380 over the Samsung PL120

 W380 PL120 

Common features in the Samsung PL120 and Sony W380

 PL120 W380 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display sizing
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Samsung PL120 vs Sony W380 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera often, you have to think about its weight and size. The Samsung PL120 comes with physical measurements 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 W380 has specifications of 91mm x 52mm x 20mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.8") with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Analyze the Samsung PL120 and Sony W380 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the PL120 compared to the W380.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony W380 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the PL120 and W380 is 99 and 96 respectively.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony W380 top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sony W380 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizes only by seeing specifications. The picture underneath should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the PL120 and W380.

To sum up, both cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same exact MP and you can expect comparable quality of images but you have to factor the age of the cameras into account. The more modern PL120 is going to have an edge in sensor technology.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony W380 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sony W380 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL120 vs Sony W380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL120 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W380 as a Portrait photography camera
28
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
28
decent MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung PL120
Street photography with Sony W380
49
no moving screen
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL120 Sports photography information
Sony W380 Sports photography information
26
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
fixed focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
slow frames per second (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Samsung PL120
Travel photography with Sony W380
71
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
good maximum aperture (f)
lack of Timelapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
65
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL120 Landscape photography advice
Sony W380 Landscape photography advice
33
good maximum aperture (f)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
38
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung PL120
Vlogging with Sony W380
31
good maximum aperture (f)
has microphone jack
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
29
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic jack
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Samsung PL120 vs Sony W380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL120 and Sony W380
 Samsung PL120Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W380
General Information
Make Samsung Sony
Model Samsung PL120 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W380
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Announced 2011-01-05 2010-01-07
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
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 area 28.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO - 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range () 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.4-5.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 4.80 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
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 - 117 gr (0.26 lb)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 91 x 52 x 20mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.8")
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 - NP-BN1
Self timer - Yes (2 sec or 10 sec, portrait1/portrait2)
Time lapse recording
Storage media - SD/SDHC, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro HG-Duo, Internal
Storage slots - 1
Cost at release $150 $44