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Samsung PL170 vs Sony A37

Portability
99
Imaging
38
Features
20
Overall
30
Samsung PL170 front
 
Sony SLT-A37 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
65
Overall
59

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A37 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
  • Launched January 2011
Sony A37
(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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Samsung PL170 vs Sony A37 Overview

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.

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The 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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Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Sony A37

 PL170 A37 
Display dimension3"2.6"Larger display (+0.4")

Reasons to pick Sony A37 over the Samsung PL170

 A37 PL170 
LaunchedMay 2012January 2011Fresher by 16 months
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Samsung PL170 and Sony A37

 PL170 A37 
Display resolution230k230kSame 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A37 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the PL170 and A37 is 99 and 67 respectively.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A37 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A37 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A37 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL170 Portrait photography features
Sony A37 Portrait photography features
29
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
73
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung PL170 Street photography highlights
Sony A37 Street photography highlights
50
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
77
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL170 Sports photography details
Sony A37 Sports photography details
27
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
can't change focal length (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
61
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
slow fps (6.0 frames per second)
low battery (500 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL170 Travel photography factors
Sony A37 Travel photography factors
71
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
great max aperture (f)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly display
54
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
low battery (500 per charge)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL170 Landscape photography info
Sony A37 Landscape photography info
38
great max aperture (f)
screen size is good (3")
megapixel count good (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
64
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.6")
low battery (500 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL170 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A37 as a Vlogging camera
27
great max aperture (f)
does not have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic support
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has mic jack
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony A37 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL170 and Sony A37
 Samsung PL170Sony 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