Samsung PL170 vs Sony A100
99 Imaging
38 Features
20 Overall
30


64 Imaging
48 Features
38 Overall
44
Samsung PL170 vs Sony A100 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 0 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- ()mm (F) lens
- n/ag - 95 x 57 x 19mm
- Launched January 2011
(Full Review)
- 10MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 638g - 133 x 95 x 71mm
- Revealed July 2006
- Replaced the Konica Minolta 5D
- Updated by Sony A550

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A100 Overview
Let's look a little more in depth at the Samsung PL170 and Sony A100, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Samsung and Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the resolutions of the PL170 (16MP) and A100 (10MP) and the PL170 (1/2.3") and A100 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor measurements.

The PL170 was unveiled 4 years after the A100 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Samsung PL170 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A100 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a quick view of how the PL170 grades against the A100 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A100 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Samsung PL170 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A100. The full galleries are viewable at Samsung PL170 Gallery & Sony A100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Sony A100
PL170 | A100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2011 | ![]() | July 2006 | More modern by 54 months |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Reasons to pick Sony A100 over the Samsung PL170
A100 | PL170 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focus |
Common features in the Samsung PL170 and Sony A100
PL170 | A100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly display |
Samsung PL170 vs Sony A100 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to carry around your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Samsung PL170 features outside measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) whilst the Sony A100 has sizing of 133mm x 95mm x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8") along with a weight of 638 grams (1.41 lbs).
Contrast the Samsung PL170 and Sony A100 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the PL170 versus the A100.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the PL170 and A100 is 99 and 64 respectively.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A100 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizes merely by looking through specs. The image underneath should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the PL170 and A100.
All in all, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The PL170 having a smaller sensor will make getting shallow DOF trickier and the Samsung PL170 will render extra detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics far more aggressively. The fresher PL170 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A100 Specifications
Samsung PL170 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Samsung | Sony |
Model type | Samsung PL170 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 |
Category | Ultracompact | Entry-Level DSLR |
Launched | 2011-01-05 | 2006-07-31 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.6 x 15.8mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 372.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 10MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 3872 x 2592 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 1600 |
Lowest native ISO | - | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens zoom range | () | - |
Number of lenses | - | 143 |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 2.5 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.55x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 8 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | - | 3.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash settings | - | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | - | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 | - |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | None |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | none | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | - | 638g (1.41 lbs) |
Dimensions | 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") | 133 x 95 x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 61 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.0 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.2 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 476 |
Other | ||
Battery ID | - | NP-FM55H |
Self timer | - | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | - | Compact Flash (Type I or II) |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at launch | $175 | $1,000 |