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Panasonic GH2 vs Samsung PL170

Portability
70
Imaging
51
Features
65
Overall
56
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 front
 
Samsung PL170 front
Portability
99
Imaging
39
Features
20
Overall
31

Panasonic GH2 vs Samsung PL170 Key Specs

Panasonic GH2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 442g - 124 x 90 x 76mm
  • Revealed March 2011
  • Replaced the Panasonic GH1
  • New Model is Panasonic GH3
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
  • Launched January 2011
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Panasonic GH2 vs Samsung PL170 Overview

In this article, we are matching up the Panasonic GH2 vs Samsung PL170, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Ultracompact by brands Panasonic and Samsung. The image resolution of the GH2 (16MP) and the PL170 (16MP) is very close but the GH2 (Four Thirds) and PL170 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

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The GH2 was introduced 3 months after the PL170 so they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GH2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Samsung PL170 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before going straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the GH2 scores against the PL170 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH2 over the Samsung PL170

 GH2 PL170 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Panasonic GH2

 PL170 GH2 

Common features in the Panasonic GH2 and Samsung PL170

 GH2 PL170 
LaunchedMarch 2011January 2011Same generation
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements

Panasonic GH2 vs Samsung PL170 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic GH2 provides exterior dimensions of 124mm x 90mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") and a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) while 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).

Contrast the Panasonic GH2 vs Samsung PL170 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select at that moment. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the GH2 versus the PL170.

Panasonic GH2 vs Samsung PL170 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GH2 and PL170 is 70 and 99 respectively.

Panasonic GH2 vs Samsung PL170 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH2 vs Samsung PL170 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be difficult to envision the gap in sensor dimensions merely by researching a spec sheet. The image below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the GH2 and PL170.

Clearly, both cameras offer the same exact megapixel count but not the same sensor dimensions. The GH2 features the larger sensor which should make getting shallow DOF simpler.

Panasonic GH2 vs Samsung PL170 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH2 vs Samsung PL170 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH2 vs Samsung PL170 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GH2
Portrait photography with Samsung PL170
70
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
30
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GH2
Street photography with Samsung PL170
68
screen articulates
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
50
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH2 as a Sports photography camera
Samsung PL170 as a Sports photography camera
46
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
low battery power (330 shots)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
27
megapixel count decent (16MP)
fixed focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GH2
Travel photography with Samsung PL170
62
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
missing Timelapse mode
low battery power (330 CIPA)
71
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
great max aperture (f)
does not have Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH2 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung PL170 as a Landscape photography camera
60
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
low battery power (330 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
39
great max aperture (f)
decent sized screen (3")
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH2 as a Vlogging camera
Samsung PL170 as a Vlogging camera
71
selfie friendly display
touchscreen functionality
features face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has microphone socket
does not have image stabilization
27
great max aperture (f)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone support
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Panasonic GH2 vs Samsung PL170 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH2 and Samsung PL170
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2Samsung PL170
General Information
Company Panasonic Samsung
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 Samsung PL170
Category Advanced Mirrorless Ultracompact
Revealed 2011-03-23 2011-01-05
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 160 -
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - ()
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 15.60 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24, 30, 60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps) 1280 x 720
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG -
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 442 grams (0.97 lbs) -
Dimensions 124 x 90 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 60 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 655 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 shots -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $1,000 $175