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Samsung PL170 vs Sony W320

Portability
99
Imaging
39
Features
20
Overall
31
Samsung PL170 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W320 front
Portability
97
Imaging
37
Features
21
Overall
30

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W320 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
  • Revealed January 2011
Sony W320
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-105mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 117g - 93 x 52 x 17mm
  • Introduced January 2010
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony W320 Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Samsung PL170 vs Sony W320, both Ultracompact cameras by rivals Samsung and Sony. The resolution of the PL170 (16MP) and the W320 (14MP) is pretty close and they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The PL170 was announced 13 months after the W320 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before going straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the PL170 grades against the W320 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Sony W320

 PL170 W320 
IntroducedJanuary 2011January 2010Newer by 13 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony W320 over the Samsung PL170

 W320 PL170 

Common features in the Samsung PL170 and Sony W320

 PL170 W320 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W320 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and size. The Samsung PL170 comes with external dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) whilst the Sony W320 has specifications of 93mm x 52mm x 17mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.7") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Examine the Samsung PL170 vs Sony W320 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the PL170 and the W320.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W320 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the PL170 and W320 is 99 and 97 respectively.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W320 top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W320 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions just by researching specs. The picture here might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the PL170 and W320.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can expect the Samsung PL170 to result in extra detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more recent PL170 provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W320 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W320 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W320 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL170 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W320 as a Portrait photography camera
30
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
28
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung PL170 as a Street photography camera
Sony W320 as a Street photography camera
50
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
49
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL170 Sports photography features
Sony W320 Sports photography features
27
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
fixed focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
26
decent megapixels (14MP)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Samsung PL170 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W320 as a Travel photography camera
71
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
good maximum aperture (f)
no Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
66
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL170 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W320 as a Landscape photography camera
39
good maximum aperture (f)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Time Lapse function
33
rather wide (26mm)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
small screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung PL170
Vlogging with Sony W320
27
good maximum aperture (f)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic jack
26
rather wide (26mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external mic support
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony W320 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL170 and Sony W320
 Samsung PL170Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W320
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model Samsung PL170 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W320
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Revealed 2011-01-05 2010-01-07
Physical type 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 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO - 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range () 26-105mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus range - 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 1s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate - 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 4.80 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format - Motion JPEG
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight - 117 gr (0.26 lbs)
Dimensions 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") 93 x 52 x 17mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.7")
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
Battery model - NP-BN1
Self timer - Yes (2 sec or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage - SD/SDHC, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro HG-Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $175 $269