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Samsung PL170 vs Sony A700

Portability
99
Imaging
38
Features
20
Overall
30
Samsung PL170 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 front
Portability
58
Imaging
50
Features
58
Overall
53

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A700 Key Specs

Samsung PL170
(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
  • Introduced January 2011
Sony A700
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 768g - 142 x 105 x 80mm
  • Launched December 2007
  • Old Model is Konica Minolta 7D
  • Updated by Sony A77
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony A700 Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Samsung PL170 versus Sony A700, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Samsung and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the PL170 (16MP) and A700 (12MP) and the PL170 (1/2.3") and A700 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The PL170 was announced 3 years after the A700 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Samsung PL170 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A700 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summation of how the PL170 matches up versus the A700 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Sony A700

 PL170 A700 
LaunchedJanuary 2011December 2007More modern by 38 months

Reasons to pick Sony A700 over the Samsung PL170

 A700 PL170 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Samsung PL170 and Sony A700

 PL170 A700 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A700 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Samsung PL170 provides exterior measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) whilst the Sony A700 has proportions of 142mm x 105mm x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1") and a weight of 768 grams (1.69 lbs).

Check the Samsung PL170 versus Sony A700 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the PL170 compared to the A700.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A700 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the PL170 and A700 is 99 and 58 respectively.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A700 top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A700 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to envision the gap between sensor sizes merely by reading technical specs. The picture here might provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the PL170 and A700.

As you can tell, each of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The PL170 with its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF tougher and the Samsung PL170 will offer more detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The newer PL170 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A700 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A700 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A700 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL170 Portrait photography features
Sony A700 Portrait photography features
29
decent megapixels (16MP)
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
54
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung PL170
Street photography with Sony A700
50
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL170 Sports photography features
Sony A700 Sports photography features
27
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
can't change focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
56
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
weather proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
low frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL170 Travel photography details
Sony A700 Travel photography details
71
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
good max aperture (f)
missing Timelapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
49
weather proofing
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL170 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A700 as a Landscape photography camera
38
good max aperture (f)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
62
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL170 Vlogging advice
Sony A700 Vlogging advice
27
good max aperture (f)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone jack
9
can't shoot video
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony A700 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL170 and Sony A700
 Samsung PL170Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung PL170 Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
Type Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2011-01-05 2007-12-19
Body design Ultracompact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4272 x 2848
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO - 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
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 - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range () -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.6x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m
Flash modes - Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, rear curtain, Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight - 768g (1.69 lb)
Physical dimensions 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") 142 x 105 x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.9
DXO Low light rating not tested 581
Other
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media - Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Storage slots Single Two
Pricing at launch $175 $1,000