Canon SD940 IS vs Samsung PL170
96 Imaging
34 Features
21 Overall
28


99 Imaging
38 Features
20 Overall
30
Canon SD940 IS vs Samsung PL170 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 120g - 89 x 55 x 20mm
- Introduced August 2009
- Other Name is Digital IXUS 120 IS
(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
- Introduced January 2011

Canon SD940 IS vs Samsung PL170 Overview
Below, we are analyzing the Canon SD940 IS and Samsung PL170, both Ultracompact digital cameras by companies Canon and Samsung. There exists a sizable gap between the sensor resolutions of the SD940 IS (12MP) and PL170 (16MP) but they possess the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SD940 IS was revealed 16 months prior to the PL170 making the cameras a generation away from one another. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Ultracompact).
Before diving through a thorough comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the SD940 IS grades against the PL170 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SD940 IS vs Samsung PL170 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SD940 IS & Samsung PL170. The full galleries are available at Canon SD940 IS Gallery & Samsung PL170 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD940 IS over the Samsung PL170
SD940 IS | PL170 |
---|
Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Canon SD940 IS
PL170 | SD940 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2011 | ![]() | August 2009 | More modern by 16 months |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Common features in the Canon SD940 IS and Samsung PL170
SD940 IS | PL170 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither provides Touch friendly display |
Canon SD940 IS vs Samsung PL170 Physical Comparison
If you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD940 IS provides exterior dimensions of 89mm x 55mm x 20mm (3.5" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs) and the Samsung PL170 has 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).
Take a look at the Canon SD940 IS and Samsung PL170 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have during that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the SD940 IS versus the PL170.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD940 IS and PL170 is 96 and 99 respectively.

Canon SD940 IS vs Samsung PL170 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes simply by going over a spec sheet. The pic here will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SD940 IS and PL170.
As you can see, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You can anticipate the Samsung PL170 to deliver more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images much more aggressively. The more aged SD940 IS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SD940 IS vs Samsung PL170 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD940 IS vs Samsung PL170 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD940 IS | Samsung PL170 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Samsung |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SD940 IS | Samsung PL170 |
Also called | Digital IXUS 120 IS | - |
Class | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Introduced | 2009-08-19 | 2011-01-05 |
Physical type | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | - |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 80 | - |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | - |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | () |
Maximum aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | - |
Macro focusing distance | 3cm | - |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.7" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 8 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1500 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames per second | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 4.00 m | - |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | - |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | 1280 x 720 |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | H.264 | - |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | none |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 120 grams (0.26 lb) | - |
Dimensions | 89 x 55 x 20mm (3.5" x 2.2" x 0.8") | 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 ID | NB-4L | - |
Self timer | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) | - |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus | - |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | $299 | $175 |