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Panasonic S2 vs Samsung PL170

Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
 
Samsung PL170 front
Portability
99
Imaging
39
Features
20
Overall
31

Panasonic S2 vs Samsung PL170 Key Specs

Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
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
  • Launched January 2011
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Panasonic S2 vs Samsung PL170 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Panasonic S2 versus Samsung PL170, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Ultracompact by competitors Panasonic and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the S2 (14MP) and the PL170 (16MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S2 was announced 13 months after the PL170 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic S2 being a Compact camera and the Samsung PL170 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting straight to a full comparison, here is a brief summation of how the S2 grades against the PL170 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Samsung PL170

 S2 PL170 
LaunchedJanuary 2012January 2011More modern by 13 months

Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Panasonic S2

 PL170 S2 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic S2 and Samsung PL170

 S2 PL170 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Panasonic S2 vs Samsung PL170 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic S2 enjoys exterior measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs) and the Samsung PL170 has measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic S2 versus Samsung PL170 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the S2 and the PL170.

Panasonic S2 vs Samsung PL170 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the S2 and PL170 is 96 and 99 respectively.

Panasonic S2 vs Samsung PL170 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Samsung PL170 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to see the difference between sensor sizes purely by looking at specifications. The picture underneath will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the S2 and PL170.

Plainly, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Samsung PL170 to give extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The younger S2 will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Panasonic S2 vs Samsung PL170 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Samsung PL170 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S2 vs Samsung PL170 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung PL170 as a Portrait photography camera
34
good resolution (14 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
30
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Street photography camera
Samsung PL170 as a Street photography camera
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (112g)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
50
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Sports photography camera
Samsung PL170 as a Sports photography camera
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
good battery power (280 shots)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
27
megapixel count good (16MP)
fixed focal length (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S2 Travel photography details
Samsung PL170 Travel photography details
71
good battery power (280 shots)
lighter than average in class (112 grams)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
71
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
good maximum aperture (f)
missing Time Lapse function
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S2 Landscape photography details
Samsung PL170 Landscape photography details
41
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
good battery power (280 CIPA)
manual focus not available
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
39
good maximum aperture (f)
screen size is good (3 inch)
megapixel count good (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Vlogging camera
Samsung PL170 as a Vlogging camera
33
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
lighter than average in class (112 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic support
27
good maximum aperture (f)
does not have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic jack
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Panasonic S2 vs Samsung PL170 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S2 and Samsung PL170
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2Samsung PL170
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Samsung
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 Samsung PL170
Category Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Launched 2012-01-09 2011-01-05
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 -
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 23 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) ()
Max aperture f/3.1-6.5 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 8 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.30 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 112 grams (0.25 lbs) -
Physical dimensions 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 280 photographs -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal -
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $109 $175