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Canon SX540 HS vs Samsung PL170

Portability
69
Imaging
45
Features
44
Overall
44
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS front
 
Samsung PL170 front
Portability
99
Imaging
38
Features
20
Overall
30

Canon SX540 HS vs Samsung PL170 Key Specs

Canon SX540 HS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F3.4-6.5) lens
  • 442g - 120 x 82 x 92mm
  • Released January 2016
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
  • Introduced January 2011
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Canon SX540 HS vs Samsung PL170 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Canon SX540 HS and Samsung PL170, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Ultracompact by competitors Canon and Samsung. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the SX540 HS (20MP) and PL170 (16MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX540 HS was unveiled 5 years after the PL170 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Canon SX540 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Samsung PL170 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the SX540 HS matches up against the PL170 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Samsung PL170

 SX540 HS PL170 
IntroducedJanuary 2016January 2011Newer by 61 months
Manually focus More precise focus
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Canon SX540 HS

 PL170 SX540 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX540 HS and Samsung PL170

 SX540 HS PL170 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Canon SX540 HS vs Samsung PL170 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SX540 HS provides exterior measurements of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) and the Samsung PL170 has specifications 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).

Check out the Canon SX540 HS and Samsung PL170 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use during that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the SX540 HS against the PL170.

Canon SX540 HS vs Samsung PL170 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SX540 HS and PL170 is 69 and 99 respectively.

Canon SX540 HS vs Samsung PL170 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Samsung PL170 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reading specifications. The image here will help provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX540 HS and PL170.

Plainly, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Canon SX540 HS to offer you greater detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos more aggressively. The fresher SX540 HS will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Canon SX540 HS vs Samsung PL170 sensor size comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Samsung PL170 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX540 HS vs Samsung PL170 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Portrait photography highlights
Samsung PL170 Portrait photography highlights
47
focusing manually
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
29
decent MP (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Street photography features
Samsung PL170 Street photography features
47
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
50
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Sports photography factors
Samsung PL170 Sports photography factors
43
great zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20MP)
slow continuous shooting (5.9 frames per second)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (205 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
27
decent MP (16 megapixels)
can't change focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Travel photography details
Samsung PL170 Travel photography details
56
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (1200mm)
no Timelapse recording
bad battery power (205 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
71
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
good max aperture (f)
missing Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Landscape photography information
Samsung PL170 Landscape photography information
47
focusing manually
really wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
bad battery power (205 per charge)
no Timelapse recording
38
good max aperture (f)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
manual mode not possible
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Vlogging details
Samsung PL170 Vlogging details
29
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
no microphone socket
27
good max aperture (f)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone jack
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Canon SX540 HS vs Samsung PL170 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX540 HS and Samsung PL170
 Canon PowerShot SX540 HSSamsung PL170
General Information
Brand Name Canon Samsung
Model Canon PowerShot SX540 HS Samsung PL170
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Released 2016-01-05 2011-01-05
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip 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 20 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 -
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1200mm (50.0x) ()
Max aperture f/3.4-6.5 -
Macro focus range 0cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.9 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.50 m (at Auto ISO) -
Flash modes Auto, on, off, slow synchro -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 442 gr (0.97 pounds) -
Physical dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 life 205 pictures -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $399 $175