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Samsung PL210 vs Sony W690

Portability
99
Imaging
36
Features
19
Overall
29
Samsung PL210 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
32
Overall
35

Samsung PL210 vs Sony W690 Key Specs

Samsung PL210
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 0 - 0
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • n/ag - 100 x 59 x 20mm
  • Released January 2011
Sony W690
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 56 x 22mm
  • Revealed February 2012
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Samsung PL210 vs Sony W690 Overview

Here is a comprehensive review of the Samsung PL210 and Sony W690, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. The sensor resolution of the PL210 (14MP) and the W690 (16MP) is pretty close and they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The PL210 was introduced 13 months earlier than the W690 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Samsung PL210 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony W690 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the PL210 scores versus the W690 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL210 over the Sony W690

 PL210 W690 

Reasons to pick Sony W690 over the Samsung PL210

 W690 PL210 
RevealedFebruary 2012January 2011Fresher by 13 months

Common features in the Samsung PL210 and Sony W690

 PL210 W690 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Samsung PL210 vs Sony W690 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Samsung PL210 has exterior measurements of 100mm x 59mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) whilst the Sony W690 has proportions of 94mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Examine the Samsung PL210 and Sony W690 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is the front view size comparison of the PL210 vs the W690.

Samsung PL210 vs Sony W690 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the PL210 and W690 is 99 and 95 respectively.

Samsung PL210 vs Sony W690 top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL210 vs Sony W690 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to visualize the gap in sensor sizing just by researching technical specs. The graphic underneath will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the PL210 and W690.

As you have seen, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should expect the Sony W690 to result in extra detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The older PL210 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Samsung PL210 vs Sony W690 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL210 vs Sony W690 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL210 vs Sony W690 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL210 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W690 as a Portrait photography camera
28
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
34
good resolution (16MP)
provides face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung PL210 Street photography information
Sony W690 Street photography information
49
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
low max ISO (0)
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL210 Sports photography advice
Sony W690 Sports photography advice
26
good megapixels (14MP)
fixed focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL210 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W690 as a Travel photography camera
70
good megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
great maximum aperture (f)
lack of Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
68
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL210 Landscape photography features
Sony W690 Landscape photography features
36
great maximum aperture (f)
screen size is good (3")
good megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low max ISO (0)
has no RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
42
fairly wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL210 Vlogging highlights
Sony W690 Vlogging highlights
27
great maximum aperture (f)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone support
31
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic support
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Samsung PL210 vs Sony W690 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL210 and Sony W690
 Samsung PL210Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung PL210 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
Class Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-01-05 2012-02-28
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO - 3200
Lowest native ISO - 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range () 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - ClearPhoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 3.30 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format - MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight - 142 grams (0.31 pounds)
Dimensions 100 x 59 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 94 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 220 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BN
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage type - SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail cost $200 $297