Samsung PL170 vs Sony A37
99 Imaging
38 Features
20 Overall
30
67 Imaging
56 Features
65 Overall
59
Samsung PL170 vs Sony A37 Key Specs
(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
- Launched January 2011
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.6" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 506g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
- Launched May 2012
- Older Model is Sony A35
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Its time to examine more closely at the Samsung PL170 vs Sony A37, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the PL170 (16MP) and the A37 (16MP) is very well matched but the PL170 (1/2.3") and A37 (APS-C) use totally different sensor measurements.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe PL170 was released 16 months before the A37 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Samsung PL170 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A37 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a quick view of how the PL170 matches up against the A37 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Samsung PL170 & Sony SLT-A37. The complete galleries are available at Samsung PL170 Gallery & Sony A37 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Sony A37
| PL170 | A37 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display dimension | 3" | 2.6" | Larger display (+0.4") |
Reasons to pick Sony A37 over the Samsung PL170
| A37 | PL170 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | May 2012 | January 2011 | Fresher by 16 months | |
| Manual focus | More precise focusing | |||
| Display type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Samsung PL170 and Sony A37
| PL170 | A37 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display resolution | 230k | 230k | Same display resolution | |
| Selfie screen | Neither contains selfie screen | |||
| Touch display | Neither contains Touch display |
Samsung PL170 vs Sony A37 Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and volume. The Samsung PL170 has got exterior dimensions 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 A37 has sizing of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 506 grams (1.12 lbs).
Contrast the Samsung PL170 vs Sony A37 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the PL170 against the A37.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the PL170 and A37 is 99 and 67 respectively.
Samsung PL170 vs Sony A37 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is very difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing purely by reading through specifications. The graphic here will help give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the PL170 and A37.
Plainly, both of the cameras posses the exact same megapixel count but not the same sensor sizing. The PL170 has the tinier sensor which will make getting bokeh harder. The older PL170 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.
Samsung PL170 vs Sony A37 Screen and ViewFinder
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony A37 Specifications
| Samsung PL170 | Sony SLT-A37 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Samsung | Sony |
| Model | Samsung PL170 | Sony SLT-A37 |
| Category | Ultracompact | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Launched | 2011-01-05 | 2012-05-16 |
| Body design | Ultracompact | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 366.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4912 x 3264 |
| Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 25600 |
| Min native ISO | - | 100 |
| RAW files | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| AF touch | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detect focusing | ||
| Contract detect focusing | ||
| Phase detect focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | - | 15 |
| Cross focus points | - | 3 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Lens focal range | () | - |
| Total lenses | - | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display size | 3" | 2.6" |
| Resolution of display | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | - | 1,440 thousand dot |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.73x |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 8 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Continuous shooting speed | - | 6.0 frames per second |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
| Set WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | - | 12.00 m |
| Flash options | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash sync | - | 1/160 seconds |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 | 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
| Video data format | - | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
| Mic input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | none | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | - | 506 gr (1.12 lbs) |
| 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 All around score | not tested | 75 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 23.3 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.9 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 799 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | - | 500 shots |
| Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | - | NP-FW50 |
| Self timer | - | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | - | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Retail price | $175 | $522 |