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Samsung PL120 vs Sony A99

Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30
Samsung PL120 front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
69
Features
88
Overall
76

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A99 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
  • Released January 2011
Sony A99
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
  • Released December 2012
  • Replaced the Sony A900
  • Replacement is Sony A99 II
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Samsung PL120 vs Sony A99 Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Samsung PL120 vs Sony A99, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Samsung and Sony. There exists a huge gap among the sensor resolutions of the PL120 (14MP) and A99 (24MP) and the PL120 (1/2.3") and A99 (Full frame) boast totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The PL120 was announced 23 months before the A99 making them a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Samsung PL120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A99 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go into a full comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the PL120 matches up versus the A99 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Sony A99

 PL120 A99 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Samsung PL120

 A99 PL120 
ReleasedDecember 2012January 2011Newer by 23 months
Manual focus More exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating 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 A99

 PL120 A99 
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Samsung PL120 provides 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) whilst the Sony A99 has sizing of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") along with a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Look at the Samsung PL120 vs Sony A99 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at the time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the PL120 vs the A99.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A99 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the PL120 and A99 is 99 and 57 respectively.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to envision the difference in sensor dimensions purely by seeing a spec sheet. The image here might provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the PL120 and A99.

Clearly, both cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The PL120 with its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult and the Sony A99 will show more detail with its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics more aggressively. The more aged PL120 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL120 vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL120 Portrait photography information
Sony A99 Portrait photography information
28
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
81
manual focus
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Samsung PL120 as a Street photography camera
Sony A99 as a Street photography camera
49
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
75
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
great ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL120 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A99 as a Sports photography camera
26
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
78
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
environment proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
low battery pack (500 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL120 Travel photography info
Sony A99 Travel photography info
71
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
very good maximum aperture (f)
lack of Time Lapse mode
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
60
environment proof
megapixel count decent (24MP)
screen is selfie friendly
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low battery pack (500 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL120 Landscape photography advice
Sony A99 Landscape photography advice
33
very good maximum aperture (f)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
small screen (2.7")
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
74
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
great ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
2 card slots
low battery pack (500 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL120 Vlogging advice
Sony A99 Vlogging advice
31
very good maximum aperture (f)
does have mic port
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
76
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external microphone support
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Samsung PL120 vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL120 and Sony A99
 Samsung PL120Sony SLT-A99
General Information
Brand Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung PL120 Sony SLT-A99
Type Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Released 2011-01-05 2012-12-12
Physical type Ultracompact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 28.5mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 3200 25600
Minimum native ISO - 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 19
Cross type focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range () -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight - 812g (1.79 pounds)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 89
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1555
Other
Battery life - 500 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type - Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Card slots - Two
Launch pricing $150 $1,998