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Samsung PL170 vs Sony HX400V

Portability
99
Imaging
38
Features
20
Overall
30
Samsung PL170 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V front
Portability
62
Imaging
44
Features
60
Overall
50

Samsung PL170 vs Sony HX400V 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
  • Launched January 2011
Sony HX400V
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 660g - 130 x 93 x 103mm
  • Launched February 2014
  • Superseded the Sony HX300
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony HX400V Overview

Following is a extended review of the Samsung PL170 versus Sony HX400V, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Samsung and Sony. The resolution of the PL170 (16MP) and the HX400V (20MP) is very comparable and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The PL170 was introduced 4 years earlier than the HX400V which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Samsung PL170 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony HX400V being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief overview of how the PL170 grades vs the HX400V in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Sony HX400V

 PL170 HX400V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX400V over the Samsung PL170

 HX400V PL170 
LaunchedFebruary 2014January 2011More modern by 37 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Samsung PL170 and Sony HX400V

 PL170 HX400V 
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Samsung PL170 vs Sony HX400V Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Samsung PL170 features exterior 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 HX400V has sizing of 130mm x 93mm x 103mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.1") accompanied by a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Analyze the Samsung PL170 versus Sony HX400V in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the PL170 and the HX400V.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony HX400V size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the PL170 and HX400V is 99 and 62 respectively.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony HX400V top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony HX400V Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes only by checking out a spec sheet. The pic here might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the PL170 and HX400V.

Clearly, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Sony HX400V to produce greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics way more aggressively. The more aged PL170 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony HX400V sensor size comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony HX400V Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL170 vs Sony HX400V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL170 Portrait photography info
Sony HX400V Portrait photography info
29
MP count good (16MP)
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
50
you can focus manually
good megapixels (20MP)
offers face detection focus
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Samsung PL170 Street photography factors
Sony HX400V Street photography factors
50
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
50
screen tilts
image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
heavier than average in class (660 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung PL170
Sports photography with Sony HX400V
27
MP count good (16MP)
fixed focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
55
excellent zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL170 Travel photography information
Sony HX400V Travel photography information
71
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
very good max aperture (f)
lack of Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
53
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (1200mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than average in class (660 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Samsung PL170
Landscape photography with Sony HX400V
38
very good max aperture (f)
good sized screen (3 inch)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
48
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL170 Vlogging info
Sony HX400V Vlogging info
27
very good max aperture (f)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic port
29
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external mic socket
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
heavier than average in class (660g)
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony HX400V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL170 and Sony HX400V
 Samsung PL170Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung PL170 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-01-05 2014-02-12
Physical type Ultracompact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO - 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range () 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-6.3
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 8.50 m (ISO Auto)
Flash modes - Flash Off / Autoflash / Fill-flash / Slow Sync. / Advanced Flash / Rear Sync. / Wireless (with optional compliant flash)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight - 660g (1.46 lbs)
Physical dimensions 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") 130 x 93 x 103mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 300 pictures
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BX1
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait)
Time lapse recording
Storage type - SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $175 $448