Samsung PL170 vs Sony W550
99 Imaging
38 Features
20 Overall
30


96 Imaging
37 Features
28 Overall
33
Samsung PL170 vs Sony W550 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
- 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
- Introduced July 2011

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W550 Overview
Let's look a bit more in depth at the Samsung PL170 vs Sony W550, both Ultracompact cameras by companies Samsung and Sony. The resolution of the PL170 (16MP) and the W550 (14MP) is relatively close and they use the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

The PL170 was launched 6 months before the W550 and they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Ultracompact).
Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the PL170 grades vs the W550 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W550 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Samsung PL170 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550. The complete galleries are available at Samsung PL170 Gallery & Sony W550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Sony W550
PL170 | W550 |
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Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Samsung PL170
W550 | PL170 |
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Common features in the Samsung PL170 and Sony W550
PL170 | W550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2011 | ![]() | July 2011 | Same age |
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen size |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Equal screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Missing Touch screen |
Samsung PL170 vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera often, you'll need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Samsung PL170 has got physical measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) whilst the Sony W550 has measurements of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).
Examine the Samsung PL170 vs Sony W550 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the PL170 and the W550.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the PL170 and W550 is 99 and 96 respectively.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it's difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements simply by looking through technical specs. The visual underneath should provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the PL170 and W550.
As you can tell, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Samsung PL170 to provide you with more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs much more aggressively.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W550 Specifications
Samsung PL170 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Samsung | Sony |
Model | Samsung PL170 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 |
Category | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Introduced | 2011-01-05 | 2011-07-24 |
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 surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | - | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | () | 26-104mm (4.0x) |
Maximal aperture | - | f/2.7-5.7 |
Macro focus range | - | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen technology | - | Clear Photo LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 8s | 2s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shooting rate | - | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | - | 3.80 m |
Flash modes | - | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE 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) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | - | MPEG-4 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | none | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | - | 110 grams (0.24 pounds) |
Dimensions | 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") | 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" 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 type | - | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | - |
Cost at launch | $175 | $119 |