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Samsung PL170 vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
99
Imaging
38
Features
20
Overall
30
Samsung PL170 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Samsung PL170 vs Sony NEX-5R Key Specs

Samsung PL170
(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
  • Revealed January 2011
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Introduced August 2012
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-5N
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-5T
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Samsung PL170 vs Sony NEX-5R, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Samsung and Sony. The sensor resolution of the PL170 (16MP) and the NEX-5R (16MP) is pretty similar but the PL170 (1/2.3") and NEX-5R (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The PL170 was released 20 months earlier than the NEX-5R which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Samsung PL170 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a thorough comparison, here is a short introduction of how the PL170 scores against the NEX-5R with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Sony NEX-5R

 PL170 NEX-5R 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Samsung PL170

 NEX-5R PL170 
IntroducedAugust 2012January 2011Fresher by 20 months
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Samsung PL170 and Sony NEX-5R

 PL170 NEX-5R 
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Samsung PL170 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Samsung PL170 has got outside measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5R has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Check the Samsung PL170 vs Sony NEX-5R in the all new 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 utilising during that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the PL170 versus the NEX-5R.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the PL170 and NEX-5R is 99 and 89 respectively.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony NEX-5R top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizing simply by going over specs. The graphic here may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the PL170 and NEX-5R.

All in all, both of the cameras feature the identical resolution albeit not the same sensor sizing. The PL170 includes the tinier sensor which is going to make achieving shallower DOF more difficult. The older PL170 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL170 Portrait photography highlights
Sony NEX-5R Portrait photography highlights
29
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
74
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung PL170
Street photography with Sony NEX-5R
50
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
80
tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
has focus by touch
good ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL170 Sports photography information
Sony NEX-5R Sports photography information
27
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
can't change focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
68
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
has phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL170 Travel photography information
Sony NEX-5R Travel photography information
71
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
fast maximum aperture (f)
does not have Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
73
has focus by touch
megapixel count good (16MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Samsung PL170
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5R
38
fast maximum aperture (f)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
75
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
megapixel count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL170 Vlogging details
Sony NEX-5R Vlogging details
27
fast maximum aperture (f)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic socket
31
touchscreen
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
does not have mic jack
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL170 and Sony NEX-5R
 Samsung PL170Sony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model Samsung PL170 Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-01-05 2012-08-29
Body design Ultracompact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 3200 25600
Lowest native ISO - 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 99
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range () -
Total lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format - AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight - 276 gr (0.61 pounds)
Physical dimensions 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 78
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.1
DXO Low light score not tested 910
Other
Battery life - 330 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Storage media - SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $175 $750