Canon SX270 HS vs Samsung PL170
91 Imaging
36 Features
43 Overall
38


99 Imaging
38 Features
20 Overall
30
Canon SX270 HS vs Samsung PL170 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SX270 HS vs Samsung PL170 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX270 HS & Samsung PL170. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon SX270 HS Gallery & Samsung PL170 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX270 HS over the Samsung PL170
SX270 HS | PL170 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | March 2013 | ![]() | January 2011 | More recent by 27 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX270 HS vs Samsung PL170 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX270 HS | Samsung 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 |