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Samsung PL170 vs Sony W380

Portability
99
Imaging
39
Features
20
Overall
31
Samsung PL170 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W380 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
25
Overall
32

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W380 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 W380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.4-5.9) lens
  • 117g - 91 x 52 x 20mm
  • Released January 2010
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony W380 Overview

Following is a in depth comparison of the Samsung PL170 vs Sony W380, both Ultracompact cameras by competitors Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the PL170 (16MP) and the W380 (14MP) is fairly comparable and they possess the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The PL170 was manufactured 13 months after the W380 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before diving through a full comparison, below is a quick summary of how the PL170 matches up vs the W380 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Sony W380

 PL170 W380 
ReleasedJanuary 2011January 2010More modern by 13 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony W380 over the Samsung PL170

 W380 PL170 

Common features in the Samsung PL170 and Sony W380

 PL170 W380 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W380 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Samsung PL170 offers physical measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) while the Sony W380 has specifications of 91mm x 52mm x 20mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Take a look at the Samsung PL170 vs Sony W380 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the PL170 against the W380.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W380 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the PL170 and W380 is 99 and 96 respectively.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W380 top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W380 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizes just by checking out technical specs. The picture below will give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the PL170 and W380.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Samsung PL170 to produce extra detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos much more aggressively. The more recent PL170 will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W380 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W380 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL170 Portrait photography information
Sony W380 Portrait photography information
30
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
28
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung PL170
Street photography with Sony W380
50
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL170 Sports photography advice
Sony W380 Sports photography advice
27
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL170 Travel photography features
Sony W380 Travel photography features
71
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
very good max aperture (f)
no Timelapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
65
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Samsung PL170
Landscape photography with Sony W380
39
very good max aperture (f)
screen size is good (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
manual mode not possible
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Timelapse function
38
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.4)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL170 Vlogging details
Sony W380 Vlogging details
27
very good max aperture (f)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone port
29
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic socket
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony W380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL170 and Sony W380
 Samsung PL170Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W380
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung PL170 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W380
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Revealed 2011-01-05 2010-01-07
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
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 area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO - 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range () 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.4-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 2 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 4.80 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 - 117 grams (0.26 lbs)
Dimensions 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") 91 x 52 x 20mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.8")
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 ID - NP-BN1
Self timer - Yes (2 sec or 10 sec, portrait1/portrait2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type - SD/SDHC, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro HG-Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $175 $44