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Samsung PL170 vs Sony TX20

Portability
99
Imaging
39
Features
20
Overall
31
Samsung PL170 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Samsung PL170 vs Sony TX20 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
  • Launched January 2011
Sony TX20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.5-4.6) lens
  • 133g - 96 x 56 x 18mm
  • Announced February 2012
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony TX20 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Samsung PL170 vs Sony TX20, both Ultracompact cameras by rivals Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the PL170 (16MP) and the TX20 (16MP) is very close and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The PL170 was manufactured 13 months prior to the TX20 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before going through a more detailed comparison, below is a quick summation of how the PL170 scores against the TX20 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Sony TX20

 PL170 TX20 

Reasons to pick Sony TX20 over the Samsung PL170

 TX20 PL170 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012January 2011Fresher by 13 months
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display resolution922k230kClearer display (+692k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Samsung PL170 and Sony TX20

 PL170 TX20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Samsung PL170 vs Sony TX20 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Samsung PL170 provides external dimensions 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) and the Sony TX20 has sizing of 96mm x 56mm x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

Examine the Samsung PL170 vs Sony TX20 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have at the time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the PL170 vs the TX20.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony TX20 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the PL170 and TX20 is 99 and 96 respectively.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony TX20 top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony TX20 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing simply by looking through specs. The graphic below might offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the PL170 and TX20.

All in all, each of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the identical megapixels so you should expect comparable quality of photos however you should really consider the production date of the cameras into account. The older PL170 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony TX20 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony TX20 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL170 vs Sony TX20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung PL170
Portrait photography with Sony TX20
30
decent MP (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
40
manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
includes face detection autofocus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung PL170 as a Street photography camera
Sony TX20 as a Street photography camera
50
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch focus
weather sealing
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL170 as a Sports photography camera
Sony TX20 as a Sports photography camera
27
decent MP (16MP)
can't change focal length (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
50
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
weather sealing
great battery life (250 shots)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL170 Travel photography info
Sony TX20 Travel photography info
71
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
good maximum aperture (f)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
72
great battery life (250 CIPA)
weather sealing
includes touch focus
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL170 Landscape photography info
Sony TX20 Landscape photography info
39
good maximum aperture (f)
nice screen size (3 inches)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
52
manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
weather sealing
great battery life (250 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung PL170
Vlogging with Sony TX20
27
good maximum aperture (f)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
no external mic jack
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony TX20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL170 and Sony TX20
 Samsung PL170Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
General Information
Brand Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung PL170 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Launched 2011-01-05 2012-02-28
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ
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 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO - 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range () 25-100mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.5-4.6
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 3.70 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure 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 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight - 133 gr (0.29 lb)
Dimensions 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") 96 x 56 x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 - 250 photographs
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BN
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media - SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $175 $330