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Samsung PL170 vs Sony A77 II

Portability
99
Imaging
38
Features
20
Overall
30
Samsung PL170 front
 
Sony SLT-A77 II front
Portability
62
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A77 II 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
  • Released January 2011
Sony A77 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 50 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 647g - 143 x 104 x 81mm
  • Introduced May 2014
  • Replaced the Sony A77
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony A77 II Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Samsung PL170 and Sony A77 II, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Samsung and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the PL170 (16MP) and A77 II (24MP) and the PL170 (1/2.3") and A77 II (APS-C) posses totally different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The PL170 was announced 4 years earlier than the A77 II which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Samsung PL170 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A77 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a concise summary of how the PL170 scores against the A77 II with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Sony A77 II

 PL170 A77 II 

Reasons to pick Sony A77 II over the Samsung PL170

 A77 II PL170 
IntroducedMay 2014January 2011Newer by 41 months
Focus manually Very precise focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1229k230kSharper display (+999k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Samsung PL170 and Sony A77 II

 PL170 A77 II 
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A77 II Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Samsung PL170 comes with outer measurements 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 A77 II has dimensions of 143mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") with a weight of 647 grams (1.43 lbs).

Check out the Samsung PL170 and Sony A77 II in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the PL170 vs the A77 II.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A77 II size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the PL170 and A77 II is 99 and 62 respectively.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A77 II top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A77 II Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions merely by seeing specs. The image below will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the PL170 and A77 II.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The PL170 having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF harder and the Sony A77 II will provide greater detail with its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images way more aggressively. The more aged PL170 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A77 II sensor size comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A77 II Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL170 vs Sony A77 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL170 Portrait photography advice
Sony A77 II Portrait photography advice
29
good megapixels (16MP)
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
79
has manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Samsung PL170 as a Street photography camera
Sony A77 II as a Street photography camera
50
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
76
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung PL170
Sports photography with Sony A77 II
27
good megapixels (16MP)
fixed focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proof
has phase detect AF
terrible battery life (480 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL170 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A77 II as a Travel photography camera
71
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
great max aperture (f)
no Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
64
weather proof
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
missing Timelapse function
terrible battery life (480 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL170 Landscape photography features
Sony A77 II Landscape photography features
38
great max aperture (f)
screen is a good size (3")
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Time Lapse function
73
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
terrible battery life (480 shots)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL170 Vlogging advice
Sony A77 II Vlogging advice
27
great max aperture (f)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic support
77
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external microphone jack
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Samsung PL170 vs Sony A77 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL170 and Sony A77 II
 Samsung PL170Sony SLT-A77 II
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung PL170 Sony SLT-A77 II
Type Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Released 2011-01-05 2014-05-21
Body design Ultracompact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 3200 25600
Lowest native ISO - 50
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 79
Cross type focus points - 15
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range () -
Amount of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 12.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes - Auto, fill, rear sync, slow sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight - 647 grams (1.43 lbs)
Physical dimensions 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") 143 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 82
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 1013
Other
Battery life - 480 shots
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer - Yes (Yes (2 or 12 sec))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage - SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $175 $1,198