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Pentax X90 vs Samsung PL170

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Samsung PL170 front
Portability
99
Imaging
39
Features
20
Overall
31

Pentax X90 vs Samsung PL170 Key Specs

Pentax X90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 428g - 111 x 85 x 110mm
  • Revealed July 2010
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
  • Revealed January 2011
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Pentax X90 vs Samsung PL170 Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Pentax X90 and Samsung PL170, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Ultracompact by rivals Pentax and Samsung. There exists a sizable gap among the resolutions of the X90 (12MP) and PL170 (16MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The X90 was brought out 6 months before the PL170 which means that they are both of a similar age. The two cameras have different body design with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Samsung PL170 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the X90 matches up vs the PL170 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Samsung PL170

 X90 PL170 
Manual focus Very exact focusing

Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Pentax X90

 PL170 X90 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Samsung PL170

 X90 PL170 
RevealedJuly 2010January 2011Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Pentax X90 vs Samsung PL170 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax X90 features exterior dimensions of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") along with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Samsung PL170 has dimensions 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).

Look at the Pentax X90 and Samsung PL170 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the X90 vs the PL170.

Pentax X90 vs Samsung PL170 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the X90 and PL170 is 69 and 99 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Samsung PL170 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Samsung PL170 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to envision the gap in sensor sizing only by researching specifications. The photograph underneath might give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the X90 and PL170.

To sum up, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Samsung PL170 to result in greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos a bit more aggressively.

Pentax X90 vs Samsung PL170 sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Samsung PL170 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Samsung PL170 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X90 Portrait photography information
Samsung PL170 Portrait photography information
29
has manual focus
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
30
good resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax X90 Street photography highlights
Samsung PL170 Street photography highlights
45
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
50
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X90 Sports photography info
Samsung PL170 Sports photography info
42
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking autofocus
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
27
good resolution (16 megapixels)
fixed focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X90 Travel photography features
Samsung PL170 Travel photography features
51
has built in flash
quite wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
good maximum aperture (f)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung PL170 as a Landscape photography camera
35
has manual focus
quite wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
39
good maximum aperture (f)
good sized screen (3 inch)
good resolution (16MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 Vlogging advice
Samsung PL170 Vlogging advice
23
quite wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic support
27
good maximum aperture (f)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone jack
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Pentax X90 vs Samsung PL170 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Samsung PL170
 Pentax X90Samsung PL170
General Information
Brand Pentax Samsung
Model Pentax X90 Samsung PL170
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Revealed 2010-07-06 2011-01-05
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 -
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
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 26-676mm (26.0x) ()
Max aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 8s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.10 m -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 428g (0.94 lb) -
Physical dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 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 model D-L106 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal -
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $350 $175