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Canon SX20 IS vs Samsung PL170

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Samsung PL170 front
Portability
99
Imaging
38
Features
20
Overall
30

Canon SX20 IS vs Samsung PL170 Key Specs

Canon SX20 IS
(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
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
  • Launched January 2011
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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").

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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.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Samsung PL170

 SX20 IS PL170 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Canon SX20 IS

 PL170 SX20 IS 
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Samsung PL170

 SX20 IS PL170 
LaunchedJuly 2010January 2011Same age
Display resolution230k230kIdentical 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX20 IS vs Samsung PL170 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Samsung PL170 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Samsung PL170 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography factors
Samsung PL170 Portrait photography factors
37
has manual focus
high flash sync (1/500s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
29
decent megapixels (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Street photography features
Samsung PL170 Street photography features
49
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
heavier than competitors in class (600 grams)
50
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography features
Samsung PL170 Sports photography features
34
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
27
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
can't change focal length (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX20 IS
Travel photography with Samsung PL170
53
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
rather wide (28mm)
great zoom (560mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors in class (600 grams)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
71
decent megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
very good maximum aperture (f)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography advice
Samsung PL170 Landscape photography advice
35
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
38
very good maximum aperture (f)
nice screen size (3 inch)
decent megapixels (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Vlogging details
Samsung PL170 Vlogging details
50
rather wide (28mm)
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic jack
heavier than competitors in class (600 grams)
27
very good maximum aperture (f)
does not have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone port
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Canon SX20 IS vs Samsung PL170 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Samsung PL170
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISSamsung 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