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Canon SD940 IS vs Samsung PL170

Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28
Canon PowerShot SD940 IS front
 
Samsung PL170 front
Portability
99
Imaging
38
Features
20
Overall
30

Canon SD940 IS vs Samsung PL170 Key Specs

Canon SD940 IS
(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
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
  • Introduced January 2011
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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").

Photography Glossary

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.

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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 
IntroducedJanuary 2011August 2009More modern by 16 months
Display dimension3"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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SD940 IS vs Samsung PL170 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SD940 IS vs Samsung PL170 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD940 IS vs Samsung PL170 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD940 IS
Portrait photography with Samsung PL170
20
no manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
29
good resolution (16MP)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD940 IS Street photography features
Samsung PL170 Street photography features
57
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
50
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD940 IS
Sports photography with Samsung PL170
25
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
27
good resolution (16 megapixels)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD940 IS
Travel photography with Samsung PL170
58
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
great maximum aperture (f)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD940 IS Landscape photography features
Samsung PL170 Landscape photography features
32
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
38
great maximum aperture (f)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good resolution (16MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD940 IS Vlogging factors
Samsung PL170 Vlogging factors
29
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic jack
27
great maximum aperture (f)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic support
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Canon SD940 IS vs Samsung PL170 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD940 IS and Samsung PL170
 Canon PowerShot SD940 ISSamsung 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