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Canon SX230 HS vs Samsung PL170

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Samsung PL170 front
Portability
99
Imaging
38
Features
20
Overall
30

Canon SX230 HS vs Samsung PL170 Key Specs

Canon SX230 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-392mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 223g - 106 x 62 x 33mm
  • Released July 2011
  • Replaced the Canon SX210 IS
  • Updated by Canon SX240 HS
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
  • Launched January 2011
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Canon SX230 HS vs Samsung PL170 Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Canon SX230 HS vs Samsung PL170, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Ultracompact by brands Canon and Samsung. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the SX230 HS (12MP) and PL170 (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX230 HS was revealed 7 months after the PL170 and they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX230 HS being a Compact camera and the Samsung PL170 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving through a detailed comparison, below is a short view of how the SX230 HS matches up versus the PL170 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Samsung PL170

 SX230 HS PL170 
LaunchedJuly 2011January 2011More modern by 7 months
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Canon SX230 HS

 PL170 SX230 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Samsung PL170

 SX230 HS PL170 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Canon SX230 HS vs Samsung PL170 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon SX230 HS comes with exterior dimensions of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) and the Samsung PL170 has measurements 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 SX230 HS vs Samsung PL170 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the SX230 HS versus the PL170.

Canon SX230 HS vs Samsung PL170 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SX230 HS and PL170 is 91 and 99 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Samsung PL170 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Samsung PL170 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizes purely by reviewing technical specs. The image underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SX230 HS and PL170.

As you can tell, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Samsung PL170 to deliver greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more modern SX230 HS will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX230 HS vs Samsung PL170 sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Samsung PL170 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Samsung PL170 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX230 HS
Portrait photography with Samsung PL170
34
you can focus manually
features face detect focus
no external flash support
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
29
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Street photography features
Samsung PL170 Street photography features
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (223g)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
50
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Sports photography advice
Samsung PL170 Sports photography advice
36
great zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (210 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
27
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
fixed focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Travel photography features
Samsung PL170 Travel photography features
61
lighter than average (223g)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
great zoom (392mm)
no Timelapse function
not so great battery life (210 shots)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
71
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
fast max aperture (f)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Landscape photography info
Samsung PL170 Landscape photography info
41
you can focus manually
pretty wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
not so great battery life (210 shots)
no Timelapse function
38
fast max aperture (f)
screen size is good (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
no manual control
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Vlogging info
Samsung PL170 Vlogging info
34
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (223 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no microphone socket
27
fast max aperture (f)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic socket
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Canon SX230 HS vs Samsung PL170 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Samsung PL170
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSSamsung PL170
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Samsung
Model type Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Samsung PL170
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Released 2011-07-19 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 -
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-392mm (14.0x) ()
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology PureColor II TG TFT 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 3.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps) 1280 x 720
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 223 grams (0.49 pounds) -
Dimensions 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 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 210 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-5L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus -
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $399 $175