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Nikon S02 vs Samsung PL170

Portability
97
Imaging
36
Features
28
Overall
32
Nikon Coolpix S02 front
 
Samsung PL170 front
Portability
99
Imaging
39
Features
20
Overall
31

Nikon S02 vs Samsung PL170 Key Specs

Nikon S02
(Full Review)
  • 13MP - 1/3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 30-90mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 100g - 77 x 51 x 18mm
  • Launched September 2013
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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Nikon S02 vs Samsung PL170 Overview

Lets look a little more in depth at the Nikon S02 versus Samsung PL170, both Ultracompact cameras by companies Nikon and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the S02 (13MP) and the PL170 (16MP) is very comparable but the S02 (1/3") and PL170 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The S02 was manufactured 2 years later than the PL170 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before going through a detailed comparison, below is a simple summation of how the S02 grades vs the PL170 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S02 over the Samsung PL170

 S02 PL170 
IntroducedSeptember 2013January 2011More recent by 33 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Nikon S02

 PL170 S02 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Nikon S02 and Samsung PL170

 S02 PL170 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Nikon S02 vs Samsung PL170 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera often, you'll have to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon S02 offers external measurements of 77mm x 51mm x 18mm (3.0" x 2.0" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 100 grams (0.22 lbs) whilst the Samsung PL170 has proportions 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).

Take a look at the Nikon S02 versus Samsung PL170 in the latest Camera with 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 are employing during that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the S02 against the PL170.

Nikon S02 vs Samsung PL170 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S02 and PL170 is 97 and 99 respectively.

Nikon S02 vs Samsung PL170 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S02 vs Samsung PL170 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements purely by seeing technical specs. The photograph underneath may provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the S02 and PL170.

As you have seen, both the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The S02 due to its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Samsung PL170 will produce extra detail due to its extra 3MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images much more aggressively. The newer S02 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon S02 vs Samsung PL170 sensor size comparison

Nikon S02 vs Samsung PL170 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S02 vs Samsung PL170 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S02 Portrait photography information
Samsung PL170 Portrait photography information
33
good resolution (13MP)
offers face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/3")
lack of RAW files
30
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S02 Street photography factors
Samsung PL170 Street photography factors
58
built in image stabilization (Digital)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/3")
lack of RAW files
50
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S02
Sports photography with Samsung PL170
38
built in image stabilization (Digital)
good resolution (13 megapixels)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
27
decent megapixels (16MP)
fixed focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S02 Travel photography info
Samsung PL170 Travel photography info
59
good resolution (13MP)
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
71
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
great max aperture (f)
lack of Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S02
Landscape photography with Samsung PL170
33
built in image stabilization (Digital)
good resolution (13 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
sensor is small (1/3")
lack of RAW files
no Timelapse recording
39
great max aperture (f)
nice screen size (3 inches)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S02
Vlogging with Samsung PL170
33
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Digital)
offers face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
wide angle not great (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone socket
27
great max aperture (f)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone support
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Nikon S02 vs Samsung PL170 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S02 and Samsung PL170
 Nikon Coolpix S02Samsung PL170
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Samsung
Model Nikon Coolpix S02 Samsung PL170
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Launched 2013-09-05 2011-01-05
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 4.8 x 3.6mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 17.3mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 13 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Maximum resolution 4160 x 3120 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 125 -
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 30-90mm (3.0x) ()
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Focal length multiplier 7.5 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed - 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed - 1/2000 seconds
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 1.40 m -
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps); High-speed: 1920 x 1080 (15 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps) 1280 x 720
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 100 gr (0.22 lb) -
Dimensions 77 x 51 x 18mm (3.0" x 2.0" x 0.7") 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 210 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model Built-in -
Self timer Yes -
Time lapse feature
Card slots - One
Launch cost $177 $175