Pentax X90 vs Samsung PL170

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.

This is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax X90 & Samsung PL170. The entire galleries are available at Pentax X90 Gallery & Samsung PL170 Gallery.

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.

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.

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

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.