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Samsung PL170 vs Sony a5100

Portability
99
Imaging
39
Features
20
Overall
31
Samsung PL170 front
 
Sony Alpha a5100 front
Portability
89
Imaging
65
Features
74
Overall
68

Samsung PL170 vs Sony a5100 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
  • Revealed January 2011
Sony a5100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 283g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
  • Launched August 2014
  • Previous Model is Sony a5000
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony a5100 Overview

The following is a in-depth analysis of the Samsung PL170 and Sony a5100, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Samsung and Sony. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the PL170 (16MP) and a5100 (24MP) and the PL170 (1/2.3") and a5100 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor measurements.

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The PL170 was launched 4 years before the a5100 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Samsung PL170 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony a5100 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the PL170 grades versus the a5100 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Sony a5100

 PL170 a5100 

Reasons to pick Sony a5100 over the Samsung PL170

 a5100 PL170 
LaunchedAugust 2014January 2011Newer by 44 months
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k230kCrisper display (+692k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Samsung PL170 and Sony a5100

 PL170 a5100 
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Samsung PL170 vs Sony a5100 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera, you should think about its weight and measurements. The Samsung PL170 features outer dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) and the Sony a5100 has proportions of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

See the Samsung PL170 and Sony a5100 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select at the time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the PL170 vs the a5100.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony a5100 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the PL170 and a5100 is 99 and 89 respectively.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony a5100 top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony a5100 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to see the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by seeing specs. The image underneath should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the PL170 and a5100.

All in all, both cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The PL170 featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving bokeh more challenging and the Sony a5100 will provide greater detail utilizing its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more aged PL170 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony a5100 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony a5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL170 vs Sony a5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL170 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony a5100 as a Portrait photography camera
30
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
72
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Samsung PL170 Street photography information
Sony a5100 Street photography information
50
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
82
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
supports touch to focus
above average high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL170 Sports photography factors
Sony a5100 Sports photography factors
27
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
68
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
good battery power (400 CIPA)
supports phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL170 Travel photography info
Sony a5100 Travel photography info
71
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
good max aperture (f)
missing Timelapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly screen
80
good battery power (400 CIPA)
supports touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
has built in flash
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL170 Landscape photography details
Sony a5100 Landscape photography details
39
good max aperture (f)
decent sized screen (3")
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
79
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (400 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL170 as a Vlogging camera
Sony a5100 as a Vlogging camera
27
good max aperture (f)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone jack
34
touch screen
comes with face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
no mic socket
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony a5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL170 and Sony a5100
 Samsung PL170Sony Alpha a5100
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung PL170 Sony Alpha a5100
Type Ultracompact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-01-05 2014-08-17
Physical type Ultracompact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 3200 25600
Min native ISO - 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 179
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range () -
Total lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes - Flash off, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
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 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (120p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 - 283g (0.62 pounds)
Dimensions 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 80
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 1347
Other
Battery life - 400 photographs
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Storage type - SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $175 $448