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Samsung PL170 vs Sony TX30

Portability
99
Imaging
39
Features
20
Overall
31
Samsung PL170 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30 front
Portability
96
Imaging
43
Features
43
Overall
43

Samsung PL170 vs Sony TX30 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
  • Introduced January 2011
Sony TX30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.5-4.8) lens
  • 141g - 96 x 59 x 15mm
  • Released July 2013
Photography Glossary

Samsung PL170 vs Sony TX30 Overview

Here is a extended assessment of the Samsung PL170 vs Sony TX30, both Ultracompact digital cameras by brands Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the PL170 (16MP) and the TX30 (18MP) is very well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The PL170 was released 3 years before the TX30 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before going into a in depth comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the PL170 scores versus the TX30 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Sony TX30

 PL170 TX30 

Reasons to pick Sony TX30 over the Samsung PL170

 TX30 PL170 
ReleasedJuly 2013January 2011Fresher by 31 months
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display dimensions3.3"3"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1229k230kClearer display (+999k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Samsung PL170 and Sony TX30

 PL170 TX30 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Samsung PL170 vs Sony TX30 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and volume. The Samsung PL170 comes with physical 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) while the Sony TX30 has sizing of 96mm x 59mm x 15mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.6") with a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs).

Check the Samsung PL170 vs Sony TX30 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the PL170 against the TX30.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony TX30 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the PL170 and TX30 is 99 and 96 respectively.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony TX30 top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony TX30 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizing merely by looking at a spec sheet. The photograph below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the PL170 and TX30.

Clearly, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Sony TX30 to resolve more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older PL170 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony TX30 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony TX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL170 vs Sony TX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL170 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony TX30 as a Portrait photography camera
30
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
39
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
manual mode not available
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Samsung PL170 Street photography highlights
Sony TX30 Street photography highlights
50
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL170 Sports photography features
Sony TX30 Sports photography features
27
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
fixed focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
46
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
weather sealing
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL170 as a Travel photography camera
Sony TX30 as a Travel photography camera
71
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
great maximum aperture (f)
lack of Timelapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly screen
69
weather sealing
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL170 Landscape photography details
Sony TX30 Landscape photography details
39
great maximum aperture (f)
nice screen size (3 inches)
decent megapixels (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
51
has manual focus
reasonably wide (26mm)
screen is a decent size (3.3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL170 Vlogging information
Sony TX30 Vlogging information
27
great maximum aperture (f)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone support
34
reasonably wide (26mm)
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Optical)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
does not have mic support
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony TX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL170 and Sony TX30
 Samsung PL170Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung PL170 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Introduced 2011-01-05 2013-07-26
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO - 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range () 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-4.8
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3.3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - OLED monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate - 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 - 141 grams (0.31 lbs)
Physical dimensions 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") 96 x 59 x 15mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
Time lapse recording
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $175 $230