Samsung PL170 vs Sony A33
99 Imaging
38 Features
20 Overall
30
67 Imaging
53 Features
80 Overall
63
Samsung PL170 vs Sony A33 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
- Revealed January 2011
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
- Released August 2010
- Replacement is Sony A35
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video Samsung PL170 vs Sony A33 Overview
On this page, we will be comparing the Samsung PL170 and Sony A33, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the PL170 (16MP) and the A33 (14MP) is relatively well matched but the PL170 (1/2.3") and A33 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizing.
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe PL170 was launched 5 months later than the A33 and they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras have different body design with the Samsung PL170 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A33 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before delving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the PL170 grades versus the A33 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards Samsung PL170 vs Sony A33 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Samsung PL170 & Sony SLT-A33. The complete galleries are provided at Samsung PL170 Gallery & Sony A33 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Sony A33
| PL170 | A33 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony A33 over the Samsung PL170
| A33 | PL170 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | Very precise focusing | |||
| Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen | |
| Screen resolution | 921k | 230k | Crisper screen (+691k dot) | |
| Selfie screen | Take selfies |
Common features in the Samsung PL170 and Sony A33
| PL170 | A33 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | January 2011 | August 2010 | Similar age | |
| Screen dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal screen measurement | |
| Touch friendly screen | No Touch friendly screen |
Samsung PL170 vs Sony A33 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to carry your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Samsung PL170 comes with exterior dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) whilst the Sony A33 has dimensions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") and a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).
Analyze the Samsung PL170 and Sony A33 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the PL170 and the A33.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the PL170 and A33 is 99 and 67 respectively.
Samsung PL170 vs Sony A33 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very hard to envision the gap between sensor sizing only by checking a spec sheet. The photograph here might provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the PL170 and A33.
As you can see, each of these cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The PL170 because of its tinier sensor will make getting bokeh more challenging and the Samsung PL170 will give you more detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots more aggressively.
Samsung PL170 vs Sony A33 Screen and ViewFinder
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banStreet Comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneSports Comparison
Photography GlossaryTravel Comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesLandscape Comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsVlogging Comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
Samsung PL170 vs Sony A33 Specifications
| Samsung PL170 | Sony SLT-A33 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Samsung | Sony |
| Model | Samsung PL170 | Sony SLT-A33 |
| Category | Ultracompact | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Revealed | 2011-01-05 | 2010-08-24 |
| Physical type | Ultracompact | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | - | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 366.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Highest native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
| Highest enhanced ISO | - | 25600 |
| Min native ISO | - | 100 |
| RAW support | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| AF touch | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| AF single | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detection AF | ||
| Contract detection AF | ||
| Phase detection AF | ||
| Number of focus points | - | 15 |
| Cross focus points | - | 3 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Lens focal range | () | - |
| Amount of lenses | - | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
| Screen diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Screen resolution | 230 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | - | 1,150 thousand dots |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.73x |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 8 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Continuous shutter rate | - | 7.0 frames per second |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
| Set WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | - | 10.00 m (@ ISO 100) |
| Flash modes | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash synchronize | - | 1/160 seconds |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 | 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
| Video file format | - | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
| Mic port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
| 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 | - | 500g (1.10 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") | 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | not tested | 70 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.8 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.6 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 591 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | - | 340 shots |
| Style of battery | - | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | - | NP-FW50 |
| Self timer | - | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage type | - | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Pricing at release | $175 | $230 |