Samsung PL210 vs Sony A57
99 Imaging
37 Features
19 Overall
29


64 Imaging
57 Features
85 Overall
68
Samsung PL210 vs Sony A57 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 0 - 0
- 1280 x 720 video
- ()mm (F) lens
- n/ag - 100 x 59 x 20mm
- Revealed January 2011
(Full Review)

Samsung PL210 vs Sony A57 Overview
Below is a in depth overview of the Samsung PL210 versus Sony A57, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. The sensor resolution of the PL210 (14MP) and the A57 (16MP) is very close but the PL210 (1/2.3") and A57 (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizing.

The PL210 was announced 20 months earlier than the A57 making them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Samsung PL210 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before going into a full comparison, here is a quick view of how the PL210 grades versus the A57 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Samsung PL210 vs Sony A57 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Samsung PL210 & Sony SLT-A57. The whole galleries are available at Samsung PL210 Gallery & Sony A57 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Samsung PL210 over the Sony A57
PL210 | A57 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Samsung PL210
A57 | PL210 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | September 2012 | ![]() | January 2011 | More recent by 20 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+691k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Samsung PL210 and Sony A57
PL210 | A57 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display measurement |
Touch display | ![]() | Neither features Touch display |
Samsung PL210 vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison
In case you're going to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Samsung PL210 enjoys external dimensions of 100mm x 59mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) whilst the Sony A57 has proportions of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") with a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).
See the Samsung PL210 versus Sony A57 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the PL210 against the A57.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the PL210 and A57 is 99 and 64 respectively.

Samsung PL210 vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is difficult to visualise the gap in sensor measurements just by researching technical specs. The visual underneath will give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the PL210 and A57.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The PL210 using its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony A57 will result in extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images way more aggressively. The older PL210 will be behind in sensor tech.

Samsung PL210 vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL210 vs Sony A57 Specifications
Samsung PL210 | Sony SLT-A57 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Samsung | Sony |
Model type | Samsung PL210 | Sony SLT-A57 |
Type | Ultracompact | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2011-01-05 | 2012-09-13 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.16 x 4.62mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.5mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4912 x 3264 |
Highest native ISO | - | 16000 |
Highest boosted ISO | - | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | - | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | - | 15 |
Cross type focus points | - | 3 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens zoom range | () | - |
Total lenses | - | 143 |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | - | Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 1,440k dot |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.7x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 8 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | - | 12.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in 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 |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | - | 1/160 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, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video 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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | - | 618g (1.36 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 100 x 59 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") | 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 75 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 23.4 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 13.0 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 785 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 550 photographs |
Battery format | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | - | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | - | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at launch | $200 | $1,000 |