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Samsung PL170 vs Sony W230

Portability
99
Imaging
39
Features
20
Overall
31
Samsung PL170 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W230 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 W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Launched February 2009
Photography Glossary

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W230 Overview

The following is a in-depth review of the Samsung PL170 vs Sony W230, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Samsung and Sony. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the PL170 (16MP) and W230 (12MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The PL170 was manufactured 23 months after the W230 making them a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Samsung PL170 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony W230 being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick view of how the PL170 scores versus the W230 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Sony W230

 PL170 W230 
LaunchedJanuary 2011February 2009Newer by 23 months

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Samsung PL170

 W230 PL170 
Manual focus More accurate focusing

Common features in the Samsung PL170 and Sony W230

 PL170 W230 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and volume. The Samsung PL170 offers exterior dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) whilst the Sony W230 has sizing of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Contrast the Samsung PL170 vs Sony W230 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Below is a front view size comparison of the PL170 versus the W230.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the PL170 and W230 is 99 and 95 respectively.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to envision the gap between sensor dimensions just by reading technical specs. The image underneath should give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the PL170 and W230.

As you can tell, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Samsung PL170 to deliver greater detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images way more aggressively. The more recent PL170 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL170 Portrait photography info
Sony W230 Portrait photography info
30
good MP (16MP)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
27
manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Samsung PL170 Street photography info
Sony W230 Street photography info
50
fixed screen
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL170 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W230 as a Sports photography camera
27
good MP (16 megapixels)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL170 Travel photography highlights
Sony W230 Travel photography highlights
71
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
great max aperture (f)
lack of Time Lapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly display
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse function
resolution not great (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL170 Landscape photography highlights
Sony W230 Landscape photography highlights
39
great max aperture (f)
nice screen size (3 inches)
good MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
36
manual focus
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not available
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL170 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W230 as a Vlogging camera
27
great max aperture (f)
does not offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic support
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly display
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
no mic port
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL170 and Sony W230
 Samsung PL170Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model Samsung PL170 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-01-05 2009-02-17
Body design Ultracompact Compact
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 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO - 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range () 30-120mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.8-5.8
Macro focus range - 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 1 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 3.90 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight - 156 gr (0.34 lb)
Physical dimensions 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media - Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $175 $180