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Samsung PL170 vs Sony W530

Portability
99
Imaging
39
Features
20
Overall
31
Samsung PL170 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W530 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
21
Overall
30

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W530 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 W530
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 113g - 93 x 53 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2011
Photography Glossary

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W530 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Samsung PL170 vs Sony W530, both Ultracompact cameras by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the PL170 (16MP) and the W530 (14MP) is relatively comparable and they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The PL170 was announced very close to the W530 and they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before going through a thorough comparison, below is a simple view of how the PL170 grades vs the W530 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Sony W530

 PL170 W530 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony W530 over the Samsung PL170

 W530 PL170 

Common features in the Samsung PL170 and Sony W530

 PL170 W530 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011January 2011Same generation
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W530 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera often, you need to consider its weight and proportions. The Samsung PL170 offers exterior measurements 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 W530 has measurements of 93mm x 53mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 113 grams (0.25 lbs).

Look at the Samsung PL170 vs Sony W530 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select during that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the PL170 and the W530.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W530 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the PL170 and W530 is 99 and 96 respectively.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W530 top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W530 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to see the gap in sensor dimensions just by going through specifications. The picture here might offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the PL170 and W530.

Plainly, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Samsung PL170 to produce more detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs far more aggressively.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W530 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W530 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W530 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL170 Portrait photography factors
Sony W530 Portrait photography factors
30
MP count decent (16MP)
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
28
decent MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung PL170
Street photography with Sony W530
50
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
48
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL170 Sports photography info
Sony W530 Sports photography info
27
MP count decent (16MP)
can't change focal length (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
26
decent MP (14 megapixels)
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL170 Travel photography features
Sony W530 Travel photography features
71
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
fast max aperture (f)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
65
decent MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (26mm)
missing Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL170 Landscape photography factors
Sony W530 Landscape photography factors
39
fast max aperture (f)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
MP count decent (16MP)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
33
pretty wide (26mm)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL170 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W530 as a Vlogging camera
27
fast max aperture (f)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic socket
26
pretty wide (26mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
missing external microphone port
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony W530 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL170 and Sony W530
 Samsung PL170Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W530
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model Samsung PL170 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W530
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Revealed 2011-01-05 2011-01-06
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO - 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
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 () 26-104mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus range - 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 3.50 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 - 113g (0.25 pounds)
Dimensions 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") 93 x 53 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage media - SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $175 $269