Samsung PL170 vs Sony NEX-5R
99 Imaging
38 Features
20 Overall
30


89 Imaging
57 Features
76 Overall
64
Samsung PL170 vs Sony NEX-5R 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
- Revealed January 2011
(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- Superseded the Sony NEX-5N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

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.

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.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony NEX-5R Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Samsung PL170 and Sony Alpha NEX-5R. The complete galleries are provided at Samsung PL170 Gallery and Sony NEX-5R Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | August 2012 | ![]() | January 2011 | Fresher by 20 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+690k dot) |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Samsung PL170 and Sony NEX-5R
PL170 | NEX-5R | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications
Samsung PL170 | Sony 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 |