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Samsung PL170 vs Sony A55

Portability
99
Imaging
38
Features
20
Overall
30
Samsung PL170 front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
55
Features
80
Overall
65

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A55 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 A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Released August 2010
  • Successor is Sony A57
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony A55 Overview

The following is a comprehensive review of the Samsung PL170 vs Sony A55, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Samsung and Sony. The resolution of the PL170 (16MP) and the A55 (16MP) is very similar but the PL170 (1/2.3") and A55 (APS-C) possess different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The PL170 was revealed 5 months after the A55 so they are of a similar age. Both cameras come with different body type with the Samsung PL170 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving through a in-depth comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the PL170 grades against the A55 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Sony A55

 PL170 A55 

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Samsung PL170

 A55 PL170 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Samsung PL170 and Sony A55

 PL170 A55 
ReleasedJanuary 2011August 2010Similar age
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera, you should take into account its weight and size. The Samsung PL170 offers external measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) while the Sony A55 has specifications of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") with a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Check the Samsung PL170 vs Sony A55 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the PL170 versus the A55.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A55 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the PL170 and A55 is 99 and 67 respectively.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions just by going over specs. The picture underneath will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the PL170 and A55.

All in all, each of these cameras have got the exact same megapixels but different sensor dimensions. The PL170 has got the tinier sensor which will make getting bokeh more difficult.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung PL170
Portrait photography with Sony A55
29
megapixel count good (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
73
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Samsung PL170 Street photography details
Sony A55 Street photography details
50
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
76
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung PL170
Sports photography with Sony A55
27
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
bad battery pack (380 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL170 Travel photography features
Sony A55 Travel photography features
71
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
good maximum aperture (f)
lack of Timelapse mode
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
61
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (380 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL170 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A55 as a Landscape photography camera
38
good maximum aperture (f)
good sized screen (3 inch)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
67
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
bad battery pack (380 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL170 Vlogging info
Sony A55 Vlogging info
27
good maximum aperture (f)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone jack
77
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic port
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL170 and Sony A55
 Samsung PL170Sony SLT-A55
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung PL170 Sony SLT-A55
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2011-01-05 2010-08-24
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - 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 area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO - 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range () -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight - 500 gr (1.10 lb)
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 rating not tested 73
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 816
Other
Battery life - 380 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media - SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $175 $800