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Nikon S32 vs Samsung PL170

Portability
90
Imaging
36
Features
23
Overall
30
Nikon Coolpix S32 front
 
Samsung PL170 front
Portability
99
Imaging
39
Features
20
Overall
31

Nikon S32 vs Samsung PL170 Key Specs

Nikon S32
(Full Review)
  • 13MP - 1/3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 30-90mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 175g - 108 x 66 x 40mm
  • Introduced February 2014
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
  • Released January 2011
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Nikon S32 vs Samsung PL170 Overview

The following is a extensive comparison of the Nikon S32 versus Samsung PL170, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Nikon and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the S32 (13MP) and the PL170 (16MP) is pretty comparable but the S32 (1/3") and PL170 (1/2.3") offer different sensor measurements.

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The S32 was brought out 3 years after the PL170 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Nikon S32 being a Compact camera and the Samsung PL170 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before going straight to a full comparison, here is a short summary of how the S32 scores vs the PL170 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S32 over the Samsung PL170

 S32 PL170 
ReleasedFebruary 2014January 2011Newer by 38 months

Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Nikon S32

 PL170 S32 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Nikon S32 and Samsung PL170

 S32 PL170 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Nikon S32 vs Samsung PL170 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon S32 has external dimensions of 108mm x 66mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.6") having a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Samsung PL170 has sizing of 95mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon S32 versus 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 differ depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the S32 and the PL170.

Nikon S32 vs Samsung PL170 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S32 and PL170 is 90 and 99 respectively.

Nikon S32 vs Samsung PL170 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S32 vs Samsung PL170 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by going through technical specs. The image below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the S32 and PL170.

As you have seen, both cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The S32 because of its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF more difficult and the Samsung PL170 will provide more detail having its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The newer S32 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon S32 vs Samsung PL170 sensor size comparison

Nikon S32 vs Samsung PL170 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S32 vs Samsung PL170 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S32
Portrait photography with Samsung PL170
33
sensor resolution is decent (13 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/3")
no RAW format
30
MP count good (16MP)
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S32 Street photography features
Samsung PL170 Street photography features
60
built in image stabilization (Digital)
environment proof
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/3")
no RAW format
50
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S32 as a Sports photography camera
Samsung PL170 as a Sports photography camera
36
built in image stabilization (Digital)
sensor resolution is decent (13MP)
environment proof
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/3")
terrible battery life (220 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
27
MP count good (16MP)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S32 Travel photography info
Samsung PL170 Travel photography info
58
environment proof
sensor resolution is decent (13MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
terrible battery life (220 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (30mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
71
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
great max aperture (f)
lack of Timelapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S32 Landscape photography details
Samsung PL170 Landscape photography details
34
built in image stabilization (Digital)
sensor resolution is decent (13MP)
environment proof
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (30mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of manual mode
sensor size is very small (1/3")
no RAW format
terrible battery life (220 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
39
great max aperture (f)
nice screen size (3 inches)
MP count good (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S32
Vlogging with Samsung PL170
30
built in image stabilization (Digital)
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
wide angle not great (30mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone port
27
great max aperture (f)
does not have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone support
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Nikon S32 vs Samsung PL170 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S32 and Samsung PL170
 Nikon Coolpix S32Samsung PL170
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Samsung
Model type Nikon Coolpix S32 Samsung PL170
Class Waterproof Ultracompact
Introduced 2014-02-07 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 4.8 x 3.6mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 17.3mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 13 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Max resolution 4160 x 3120 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 125 -
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 30-90mm (3.0x) ()
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Focal length multiplier 7.5 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.10 m -
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920x1080 (30p), VGA 640x480 (30p, 15p) 1280 x 720
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 175 grams (0.39 lbs) -
Physical dimensions 108 x 66 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.6") 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 220 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL19 -
Self timer Yes (Approx. 10 seconds ) -
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD / SDHC/SDXC -
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $180 $175