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Samsung PL170 vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
99
Imaging
39
Features
20
Overall
31
Samsung PL170 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Samsung PL170 vs Sony NEX-5 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
  • Launched January 2011
Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Announced June 2010
  • Successor is Sony NEX-5N
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

Here is a extensive analysis of the Samsung PL170 versus Sony NEX-5, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the PL170 (16MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is very similar but the PL170 (1/2.3") and NEX-5 (APS-C) use different sensor measurements.

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The PL170 was released 8 months later than the NEX-5 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Samsung PL170 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the PL170 scores versus the NEX-5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Sony NEX-5

 PL170 NEX-5 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011June 2010Fresher by 8 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Samsung PL170

 NEX-5 PL170 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Samsung PL170 and Sony NEX-5

 PL170 NEX-5 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Samsung PL170 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Samsung PL170 offers external dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5 has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

See the Samsung PL170 versus Sony NEX-5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the PL170 compared to the NEX-5.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the PL170 and NEX-5 is 99 and 89 respectively.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizing just by reading specifications. The photograph here might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the PL170 and NEX-5.

To sum up, the 2 cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The PL170 because of its tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh more challenging and the Samsung PL170 will offer extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The more modern PL170 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL170 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL170 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Portrait photography camera
30
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
72
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Samsung PL170 Street photography details
Sony NEX-5 Street photography details
50
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
76
screen tilts
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL170 Sports photography details
Sony NEX-5 Sports photography details
27
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
can't change focal length (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
52
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Samsung PL170 Travel photography highlights
Sony NEX-5 Travel photography highlights
71
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
great max aperture (f)
no Timelapse function
does not posses selfie friendly display
59
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
no Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL170 Landscape photography information
Sony NEX-5 Landscape photography information
39
great max aperture (f)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
resolution is good (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
manual mode not possible
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Timelapse function
68
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung PL170
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5
27
great max aperture (f)
does not posses selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone support
28
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
no microphone support
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL170 and Sony NEX-5
 Samsung PL170Sony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Brand Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung PL170 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Category Ultracompact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2011-01-05 2010-06-07
Physical type Ultracompact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO - 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 25
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range () -
Total lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format - AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight - 287 grams (0.63 pounds)
Dimensions 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 69
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 796
Other
Battery life - 330 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Storage type - SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $175 $599