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Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung PL170

Portability
88
Imaging
39
Features
41
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Samsung PL170 front
Portability
99
Imaging
38
Features
20
Overall
30

Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung PL170 Key Specs

Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 251g - 108 x 71 x 44mm
  • Revealed August 2013
  • Succeeded the Canon SX160 IS
Samsung PL170
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 0 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • n/ag - 95 x 57 x 19mm
  • Released January 2011
Photography Glossary

Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung PL170 Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung PL170, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Ultracompact by rivals Canon and Samsung. The image resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the PL170 (16MP) is pretty comparable and they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was released 2 years after the PL170 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX170 IS being a Compact camera and the Samsung PL170 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a short introduction of how the SX170 IS matches up against the PL170 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Samsung PL170

 SX170 IS PL170 
ReleasedAugust 2013January 2011Newer by 32 months
Manually focus Dial precise focusing

Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Canon SX170 IS

 PL170 SX170 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Samsung PL170

 SX170 IS PL170 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung PL170 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and volume. The Canon SX170 IS enjoys outer measurements of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Samsung PL170 has sizing of 95mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung PL170 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the SX170 IS compared to the PL170.

Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung PL170 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX170 IS and PL170 is 88 and 99 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung PL170 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung PL170 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions merely by seeing specifications. The pic here might offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX170 IS and PL170.

Plainly, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical megapixels so you can expect comparable quality of photos though you may want to factor the age of the cameras into account. The more recent SX170 IS is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung PL170 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung PL170 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung PL170 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX170 IS
Portrait photography with Samsung PL170
43
you can focus manually
decent MP (16MP)
offers face detect focus
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
29
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX170 IS
Street photography with Samsung PL170
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (251g)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
50
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX170 IS
Sports photography with Samsung PL170
48
long zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
offers tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
27
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
fixed focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography information
Samsung PL170 Travel photography information
68
lighter than competition in class (251 grams)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
very long reach (448mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
71
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
great maximum aperture (f)
missing Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX170 IS
Landscape photography with Samsung PL170
49
you can focus manually
really wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
38
great maximum aperture (f)
screen size is good (3")
megapixel count decent (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Vlogging advice
Samsung PL170 Vlogging advice
31
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
lighter than competition in class (251g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic port
27
great maximum aperture (f)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic support
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Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung PL170 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Samsung PL170
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISSamsung PL170
General Information
Make Canon Samsung
Model type Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Samsung PL170
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Revealed 2013-08-22 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 -
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) ()
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m -
Flash options Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off -
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 251 grams (0.55 lb) -
Dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 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 life 300 pictures -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $0 $175