Canon SX20 IS vs Samsung PL170
65 Imaging
35 Features
40 Overall
37


99 Imaging
38 Features
20 Overall
30
Canon SX20 IS vs Samsung PL170 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
- 600g - 128 x 88 x 87mm
- Launched July 2010
- Succeeded the Canon SX10 IS
- Successor is Canon SX30 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
- Launched January 2011

Canon SX20 IS vs Samsung PL170 Overview
The following is a detailed analysis of the Canon SX20 IS versus Samsung PL170, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Ultracompact by competitors Canon and Samsung. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and PL170 (16MP) but they feature the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

The SX20 IS was brought out 6 months prior to the PL170 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Samsung PL170 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before delving through a detailed comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the SX20 IS matches up versus the PL170 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX20 IS vs Samsung PL170 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX20 IS & Samsung PL170. The entire galleries are provided at Canon SX20 IS Gallery & Samsung PL170 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Samsung PL170
SX20 IS | PL170 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Canon SX20 IS
PL170 | SX20 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Samsung PL170
SX20 IS | PL170 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | July 2010 | ![]() | January 2011 | Same age |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical display resolution |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly display |
Canon SX20 IS vs Samsung PL170 Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon SX20 IS comes with outside measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") and a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Samsung PL170 has sizing 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).
See the Canon SX20 IS versus Samsung PL170 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the SX20 IS versus the PL170.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX20 IS and PL170 is 65 and 99 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Samsung PL170 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's difficult to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions simply by researching a spec sheet. The picture here will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX20 IS and PL170.
Clearly, both of those cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You can expect to see the Samsung PL170 to provide you with more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos somewhat more aggressively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Samsung PL170 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Samsung PL170 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Samsung PL170 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Samsung |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Samsung PL170 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Ultracompact |
Launched | 2010-07-06 | 2011-01-05 |
Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | - |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Minimum 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 detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-560mm (20.0x) | () |
Max aperture | f/2.8-5.7 | - |
Macro focus distance | 0cm | - |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 2.5 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 secs | 8 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/3200 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames per second | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 6.80 m | - |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | - |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/500 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | 1280 x 720 |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | H.264 | - |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | none |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 600 grams (1.32 lbs) | - |
Dimensions | 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") | 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery model | 4 x AA | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | - |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus | - |
Storage slots | One | One |
Pricing at release | $500 | $175 |