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Pentax X-5 vs Samsung PL170

Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Pentax X-5 front
 
Samsung PL170 front
Portability
99
Imaging
39
Features
20
Overall
31

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung PL170 Key Specs

Pentax X-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
  • Launched August 2012
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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Pentax X-5 vs Samsung PL170 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Pentax X-5 vs Samsung PL170, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Ultracompact by competitors Pentax and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the X-5 (16MP) and the PL170 (16MP) is fairly comparable and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The X-5 was released 20 months later than the PL170 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Samsung PL170 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the X-5 grades vs the PL170 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Samsung PL170

 X-5 PL170 
LaunchedAugust 2012January 2011More recent by 20 months
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Pentax X-5

 PL170 X-5 

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Samsung PL170

 X-5 PL170 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung PL170 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Pentax X-5 features outer measurements of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") accompanied by a weight of 595 grams (1.31 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).

Analyze the Pentax X-5 vs Samsung PL170 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the X-5 against the PL170.

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung PL170 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the X-5 and PL170 is 65 and 99 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung PL170 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung PL170 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to envision the gap in sensor measurements merely by going through specs. The graphic here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the X-5 and PL170.

All in all, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact megapixels and you should expect comparable quality of pictures though you would want to consider the production date of the cameras into account. The newer X-5 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung PL170 sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung PL170 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung PL170 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X-5 Portrait photography factors
Samsung PL170 Portrait photography factors
43
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection focus
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
30
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Street photography camera
Samsung PL170 as a Street photography camera
50
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
more heavy than competition (595 grams)
50
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X-5 Sports photography details
Samsung PL170 Sports photography details
52
long zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
27
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X-5 Travel photography advice
Samsung PL170 Travel photography advice
53
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (22mm)
long reach (580mm)
does not have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (595 grams)
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
71
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fast max aperture (f)
missing Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X-5 Landscape photography details
Samsung PL170 Landscape photography details
47
focusing manually
really wide (22mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
39
fast max aperture (f)
nice screen size (3")
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 Vlogging highlights
Samsung PL170 Vlogging highlights
26
really wide (22mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone port
more heavy than competition (595 grams)
27
fast max aperture (f)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic socket
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Pentax X-5 vs Samsung PL170 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Samsung PL170
 Pentax X-5Samsung PL170
General Information
Brand Pentax Samsung
Model Pentax X-5 Samsung PL170
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Launched 2012-08-22 2011-01-05
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 -
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 22-580mm (26.4x) ()
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 230k dots -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 9.10 m -
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 595 gr (1.31 pounds) -
Dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 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 330 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $230 $175