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Samsung PL170 vs Sony W550

Portability
99
Imaging
38
Features
20
Overall
30
Samsung PL170 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W550 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
  • Introduced January 2011
Sony W550
(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
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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").

Photography Glossary

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.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Sony W550

 PL170 W550 

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Samsung PL170

 W550 PL170 

Common features in the Samsung PL170 and Sony W550

 PL170 W550 
IntroducedJanuary 2011July 2011Same age
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Screen resolution230k230kEqual 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W550 size comparison

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

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL170 vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung PL170
Portrait photography with Sony W550
29
megapixel count good (16MP)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
28
megapixel count decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Samsung PL170 as a Street photography camera
Sony W550 as a Street photography camera
50
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL170 Sports photography factors
Sony W550 Sports photography factors
27
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL170 Travel photography details
Sony W550 Travel photography details
71
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
very good max aperture (f)
missing Time Lapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly display
65
megapixel count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (26mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL170 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W550 as a Landscape photography camera
38
very good max aperture (f)
good sized screen (3 inch)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
42
reasonably wide (26mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
no manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL170 Vlogging features
Sony W550 Vlogging features
27
very good max aperture (f)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic port
29
reasonably wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic socket
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL170 and Sony W550
 Samsung PL170Sony 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