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Canon SX270 HS vs Samsung PL170

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX270 HS front
 
Samsung PL170 front
Portability
99
Imaging
38
Features
20
Overall
30

Canon SX270 HS vs Samsung PL170 Key Specs

Canon SX270 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 233g - 106 x 63 x 33mm
  • Announced March 2013
  • Succeeded the Canon SX260 HS
  • Updated by Canon SX280 HS
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
  • Released January 2011
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Canon SX270 HS vs Samsung PL170 Overview

In this write-up, we are comparing the Canon SX270 HS versus Samsung PL170, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Ultracompact by rivals Canon and Samsung. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the SX270 HS (12MP) and PL170 (16MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX270 HS was released 2 years later than the PL170 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX270 HS being a Compact camera and the Samsung PL170 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting in to a in depth comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the SX270 HS matches up vs the PL170 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX270 HS over the Samsung PL170

 SX270 HS PL170 
ReleasedMarch 2013January 2011More recent by 27 months
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Canon SX270 HS

 PL170 SX270 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX270 HS and Samsung PL170

 SX270 HS PL170 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Canon SX270 HS vs Samsung PL170 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX270 HS has got exterior dimensions of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Samsung PL170 has dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

See the Canon SX270 HS versus Samsung PL170 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the SX270 HS and the PL170.

Canon SX270 HS vs Samsung PL170 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SX270 HS and PL170 is 91 and 99 respectively.

Canon SX270 HS vs Samsung PL170 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX270 HS vs Samsung PL170 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to picture the contrast between sensor measurements merely by looking at a spec sheet. The photograph here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SX270 HS and PL170.

Clearly, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can anticipate the Samsung PL170 to give extra detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images far more aggressively. The fresher SX270 HS should have an edge in sensor technology.

Canon SX270 HS vs Samsung PL170 sensor size comparison

Canon SX270 HS vs Samsung PL170 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX270 HS vs Samsung PL170 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX270 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung PL170 as a Portrait photography camera
34
manual focus
comes with face detect focus
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
29
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX270 HS Street photography info
Samsung PL170 Street photography info
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (233 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
50
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX270 HS as a Sports photography camera
Samsung PL170 as a Sports photography camera
36
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
low frames per second (4.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (210 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
27
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
can't change focal length (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX270 HS Travel photography advice
Samsung PL170 Travel photography advice
61
lighter than others (233 grams)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
no Timelapse recording
not so great battery power (210 per charge)
low MP (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
71
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fast max aperture (f)
doesn't have Timelapse function
does not have a selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX270 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung PL170 as a Landscape photography camera
41
manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
not so great battery power (210 shots)
no Timelapse recording
38
fast max aperture (f)
nice screen size (3")
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX270 HS Vlogging highlights
Samsung PL170 Vlogging highlights
34
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (233g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
no microphone support
27
fast max aperture (f)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone socket
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Canon SX270 HS vs Samsung PL170 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX270 HS and Samsung PL170
 Canon PowerShot SX270 HSSamsung PL170
General Information
Brand Canon Samsung
Model type Canon PowerShot SX270 HS Samsung PL170
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Announced 2013-03-21 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 -
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) ()
Maximal aperture f/3.5-6.8 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 8s
Max shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1280 x 720
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 233 grams (0.51 pounds) -
Dimensions 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $284 $175