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Samsung PL170 vs Sony T900

Portability
99
Imaging
39
Features
20
Overall
31
Samsung PL170 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900 front
Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Samsung PL170 vs Sony T900 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
  • Announced January 2011
Sony T900
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 143g - 98 x 58 x 16mm
  • Announced February 2009
Photography Glossary

Samsung PL170 vs Sony T900 Overview

In this article, we are evaluating the Samsung PL170 and Sony T900, both Ultracompact cameras by brands Samsung and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the PL170 (16MP) and T900 (12MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The PL170 was announced 23 months after the T900 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief view of how the PL170 scores vs the T900 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Sony T900

 PL170 T900 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011February 2009More modern by 23 months

Reasons to pick Sony T900 over the Samsung PL170

 T900 PL170 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display sizing3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution922k230kClearer display (+692k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Samsung PL170 and Sony T900

 PL170 T900 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Samsung PL170 vs Sony T900 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and size. The Samsung PL170 features external measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) whilst the Sony T900 has specifications of 98mm x 58mm x 16mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.6") with a weight of 143 grams (0.32 lbs).

Check out the Samsung PL170 and Sony T900 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use during that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the PL170 versus the T900.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony T900 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the PL170 and T900 is 99 and 96 respectively.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony T900 top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony T900 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes simply by going through specs. The pic here will give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the PL170 and T900.

All in all, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can anticipate the Samsung PL170 to show more detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images a little more aggressively. The younger PL170 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony T900 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony T900 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL170 vs Sony T900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL170 Portrait photography info
Sony T900 Portrait photography info
30
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
27
manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Samsung PL170 Street photography info
Sony T900 Street photography info
50
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL170 Sports photography features
Sony T900 Sports photography features
27
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
can't change focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max shutter speed is low (1/1,000 seconds)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL170 as a Travel photography camera
Sony T900 as a Travel photography camera
71
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
very good max aperture (f)
missing Time Lapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
52
has built in flash
no Time Lapse mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL170 Landscape photography information
Sony T900 Landscape photography information
39
very good max aperture (f)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
37
manual focus
screen larger than average (3.5")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL170 Vlogging advice
Sony T900 Vlogging advice
27
very good max aperture (f)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic port
28
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic jack
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony T900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL170 and Sony T900
 Samsung PL170Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900
General Information
Make Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung PL170 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Announced 2011-01-05 2009-02-17
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO - 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range () 35-140mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.5-10.0
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3.5 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 2 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 2.90 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
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 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight - 143 gr (0.32 lbs)
Dimensions 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") 98 x 58 x 16mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.6")
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
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media - Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $175 $300