Samsung PL170 vs Sony A850
99 Imaging
38 Features
20 Overall
30
54 Imaging
67 Features
60 Overall
64
Samsung PL170 vs Sony A850 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 0 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- ()mm (F) lens
- n/ag - 95 x 57 x 19mm
- Introduced January 2011
(Full Review)
- 25MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
- Introduced April 2010
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On this page, we will be looking at the Samsung PL170 versus Sony A850, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Samsung and Sony. There is a crucial difference between the image resolutions of the PL170 (16MP) and A850 (25MP) and the PL170 (1/2.3") and A850 (Full frame) posses totally different sensor size.
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe PL170 was announced 9 months after the A850 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Samsung PL170 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick view of how the PL170 matches up versus the A850 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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The following is a preview of the gallery images for Samsung PL170 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A850. The whole galleries are viewable at Samsung PL170 Gallery and Sony A850 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Sony A850
| PL170 | A850 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | January 2011 |  | April 2010 | More modern by 9 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Samsung PL170
| A850 | PL170 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus |  | Dial exact focus | ||
| Screen resolution | 922k |  | 230k | Sharper screen (+692k dot) |
Common features in the Samsung PL170 and Sony A850
| PL170 | A850 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed screen |
| Screen dimensions | 3" |  | 3" | Equal screen size |
| Selfie screen |  | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
| Touch screen |  | Absent Touch screen |
Samsung PL170 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison
When you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and proportions. The Samsung PL170 comes with exterior dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) while the Sony A850 has measurements of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") having a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).
Check the Samsung PL170 versus Sony A850 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the PL170 vs the A850.
Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the PL170 and A850 is 99 and 54 respectively.
Samsung PL170 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is difficult to see the gap between sensor sizes just by reading technical specs. The picture below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the PL170 and A850.
As you have seen, each of these cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The PL170 having a tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Sony A850 will offer you greater detail with its extra 9 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures more aggressively. The younger PL170 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony A850 Specifications
| Samsung PL170 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Samsung | Sony |
| Model type | Samsung PL170 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 |
| Type | Ultracompact | Advanced DSLR |
| Introduced | 2011-01-05 | 2010-04-15 |
| Physical type | Ultracompact | Mid-size SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | - | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | Full frame |
| Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
| Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 861.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 25 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 6048 x 4032 |
| Max native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
| Max enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
| Lowest native ISO | - | 200 |
| RAW pictures | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Tracking autofocus | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect autofocus | ||
| Contract detect autofocus | ||
| Phase detect autofocus | ||
| Total focus points | - | 9 |
| Cross type focus points | - | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Lens zoom range | () | - |
| Amount of lenses | - | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 1 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 922 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch friendly | ||
| Display tech | - | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 98% |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.74x |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 8 secs | 30 secs |
| Max shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
| Continuous shutter rate | - | 3.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash distance | - | no built-in flash |
| Flash modes | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Max flash synchronize | - | 1/250 secs |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 | - |
| Max video resolution | 1280x720 | None |
| Microphone support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | none | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | - | 895 gr (1.97 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") | 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | not tested | 79 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 23.8 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.2 |
| DXO Low light rating | not tested | 1415 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | - | 880 shots |
| Battery style | - | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | - | NP-FM500H |
| Self timer | - | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | - | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo |
| Card slots | Single | 2 |
| Retail price | $175 | $0 |