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Samsung PL170 vs Sony WX9

Portability
99
Imaging
39
Features
20
Overall
31
Samsung PL170 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX9 front
Portability
99
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Samsung PL170 vs Sony WX9 Key Specs

Samsung PL170
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 0 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • n/ag - 95 x 57 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2011
Sony WX9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • n/ag - 95 x 56 x 20mm
  • Announced January 2011
Photography Glossary

Samsung PL170 vs Sony WX9 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Samsung PL170 versus Sony WX9, both Ultracompact cameras by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. The resolution of the PL170 (16MP) and the WX9 (16MP) is pretty comparable and they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The PL170 was released very close to the WX9 which means that they are of a similar generation. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before we go through a detailed comparison, below is a short summary of how the PL170 matches up vs the WX9 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Sony WX9

 PL170 WX9 

Reasons to pick Sony WX9 over the Samsung PL170

 WX9 PL170 
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Samsung PL170 and Sony WX9

 PL170 WX9 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011January 2011Same generation
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Samsung PL170 vs Sony WX9 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Samsung PL170 enjoys external measurements 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 WX9 has measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Check out the Samsung PL170 versus Sony WX9 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the PL170 against the WX9.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony WX9 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the PL170 and WX9 is 99 and 99 respectively.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony WX9 top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony WX9 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizes simply by going through specifications. The pic here might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the PL170 and WX9.

To sum up, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same megapixels therefore you should expect comparable quality of photos though you should consider the production date of the cameras into account.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony WX9 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony WX9 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL170 vs Sony WX9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL170 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony WX9 as a Portrait photography camera
30
good MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
30
good resolution (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung PL170 Street photography features
Sony WX9 Street photography features
50
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL170 Sports photography factors
Sony WX9 Sports photography factors
27
good MP (16 megapixels)
can't change focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Samsung PL170
Travel photography with Sony WX9
71
good MP (16MP)
flash built-in
great max aperture (f)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
67
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL170 Landscape photography features
Sony WX9 Landscape photography features
39
great max aperture (f)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good MP (16MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
43
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
no manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL170 Vlogging advice
Sony WX9 Vlogging advice
27
great max aperture (f)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic support
33
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
missing microphone support
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony WX9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL170 and Sony WX9
 Samsung PL170Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX9
General Information
Make Samsung Sony
Model Samsung PL170 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX9
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Announced 2011-01-05 2011-01-06
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO - 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range () 25-125mm (5.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.6-6.3
Macro focus range - 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - XtraFine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 5.30 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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
Dimensions 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") 95 x 56 x 20mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.8")
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 feature
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $175 $188