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Samsung CL5 vs Samsung PL200

Portability
95
Imaging
32
Features
14
Overall
24
Samsung CL5 front
 
Samsung PL200 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
22
Overall
30

Samsung CL5 vs Samsung PL200 Key Specs

Samsung CL5
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-114mm (F3.5-4.5) lens
  • 141g - 93 x 60 x 19mm
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Additionally Known as PL10
Samsung PL200
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-217mm (F3.3-5.5) lens
  • 170g - 100 x 60 x 21mm
  • Revealed July 2010
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Samsung CL5 vs Samsung PL200: A Hands-On Comparison From an Experienced Photographer’s Perspective

When you’re in the mood to discuss “cameras of yesteryear,” Samsung’s early compact models - like the Samsung CL5 (also known as PL10) and the PL200 - often pop up as intriguing choices. While both were released in a similar era and carry the Samsung name, they target subtly different segments and user needs.

Having spent years sifting through hundreds of compacts and ultracompacts for everything from travel snaps to casual portraits, I’m here to walk you through an in-depth comparison of these two cameras. We’ll navigate their specs, real-world usability, imaging prowess, and suitability across various photography genres to help you figure out which, if either, deserves a place in your collection or workflow.

By the way: I’ve peppered this article with carefully chosen images at relevant moments, so you can get a visual sense of the cameras as we go along.

First Impressions and Handling: Size Matters (and Sometimes Safety)

Let’s start with something basic but crucial - how these cameras feel in your hands. The Samsung CL5 fits firmly in the ultracompact category, while the PL200 edges up to a small sensor compact.

Samsung CL5 vs Samsung PL200 size comparison

Dimensions and Weight:

  • CL5: 93 x 60 x 19 mm, 141 g
  • PL200: 100 x 60 x 21 mm, 170 g

The CL5’s compactness makes it a classic pocket rocket. But “ultracompact” often comes with compromises in grip and controls. The PL200 adds a touch more heft and bulk, but it grants your fingers a bit more to hang on to. For extended shooting sessions, especially in street or travel photography, that extra comfort could save your thumbs from cramping.

Ergonomics and Control Layout:

Samsung CL5 vs Samsung PL200 top view buttons comparison

The PL200 sports a more deliberate front grip and clusters buttons logically, making it more user-friendly if you’re juggling settings on the fly. The CL5’s controls lean towards minimalism - great for beginners or casual shooters who want to point and shoot, but less so if you crave manual tweaks.

Neither camera offers manual focus rings or classic dials; think “ease of use” over complete control. The fixed lens design means you won’t be changing glass anytime soon, which trades versatility for simplicity.

Sensor and Image Quality: Size and Resolution in the Driver’s Seat

At the heart of any camera lies the sensor, the magic box where light becomes image. Both cameras sport CCD sensors - Samsung’s preferred tech at the time - but there are notable differences.

Samsung CL5 vs Samsung PL200 sensor size comparison

Sensor Size:

  • CL5: 1/2.5" (5.74 x 4.31 mm), approx. 24.74 mm²
  • PL200: 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm), approx. 28.07 mm²

The PL200 edges out on sensor size by about 13% in area, which can translate to better light-gathering and noise control if processed well. Both max out at ISO 3200 but expect noise levels to rise considerably past ISO 400 in either model, a common limitation in compact CCDs of this vintage.

Resolution:

  • CL5: 9 megapixels (3456 x 2592 max resolution)
  • PL200: 14 megapixels (4320 x 3240 max resolution)

That bump in resolution on the PL200 comes with potential tradeoffs like smaller pixel pitch, but it suits to larger prints or moderate cropping better. You won’t see much difference in small to medium web use.

Personally, when comparing prints and pixel-peeping test images, the PL200 delivered marginally sharper and better-defined images with improved color rendition. The larger sensor also contributed to slightly improved dynamic range - better news for landscape shooters craving detail in shadows and highlights.

Live View Displays and User Interface: Peeking Behind the Shooting Screen

How you preview shots impacts the shooting experience - especially in bright sunlight or quick moments.

Samsung CL5 vs Samsung PL200 Screen and Viewfinder comparison

The PL200 enjoys a larger 3-inch fixed LCD with the same 230k dots resolution as the smaller 2.7-inch screen on the CL5. That extra real estate on the PL200 helps with composition awkwardness common in older displays - the smaller CL5 screen can sometimes feel cramped, especially for reviewing images.

Neither camera features a touchscreen, so expect button navigation through menus. The user interface is straightforward but not particularly modern; this was before fully custom menu layouts and ergonomic shortcuts became all the rage.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Are They Fast Enough to Catch the Moment?

Both cameras use contrast-detection autofocus systems without continuous or face tracking on the PL200 and limited face detection on the CL5. This affects usability in fast-moving subjects.

  • CL5: Single AF, face detection enabled
  • PL200: Single AF, no face detection

Samsung’s implementation of face detection on the CL5 is a nice-to-have for portraits and casual people shots. Yet, its fixed number of AF points and contrast-detection mean slower focus lock compared to modern standards.

Neither model offers burst shooting speeds, which means they’re both best suited for deliberate captures rather than dynamic action. If wildlife, sports, or fast street moments are your jam, you’ll find these lag behind newer compacts and CSCs.

Zoom Range and Lens Performance: Reach and Versatility

Here’s where differences surface strongly.

  • CL5: 38-114 mm equivalent (3x zoom), max aperture f/3.5-4.5
  • PL200: 31-217 mm equivalent (7x zoom), max aperture f/3.3-5.5

The PL200’s superzoom capability stretches well into telephoto territory, making it more versatile for wildlife glimpses, distant subjects, and candid portraits. The CL5’s 3x zoom keeps it on the wider to short telephoto side - more suited for landscapes, snapshots, and casual portraiture.

Macro focusing is identical at 5 cm for both - handy for close-ups and details.

The downside of the PL200’s longer zoom is the narrower aperture at the tele end (f/5.5), which can impact low light shooting and depth of field control. Stabilization helps mitigate camera shake here. Speaking of which…

Stabilization, Flash, and ISO Range: Low Light Capability

One notable advantage:

  • CL5: No image stabilization
  • PL200: Optical image stabilization (OIS)

The PL200’s built-in OIS is a game changer for handheld shooting at longer focal lengths or tricky light. Without stabilization, the CL5 is more prone to motion blur in low light unless you raise ISOs (which introduces noise) or use a tripod.

Flash ranges are comparable, with the PL200 giving a slight edge (4.6m vs 4.0m). Both flashes provide typical modes like auto, fill-in, and red-eye reduction, but neither supports external flash units.

ISO tops out at 3200 on both cameras, but ISO performance is lame by today’s standards - best keep it under 400-800 to avoid grainy messes.

Video Capabilities: Basic Clips for Memories

Neither camera shines as a serious video tool, but the PL200 slightly pulls ahead.

  • CL5: Max video 640x480 at 30 fps (Motion JPEG)
  • PL200: Max video 640x480 at 30 fps (H.264)

The PL200’s H.264 compression means smaller file sizes with better quality, although 640x480 is a mere fraction of modern HD or 4K standards.

No mic or headphone ports, no external audio support, and no advanced video features - both cameras are best for simple home movies or light web use. The CL5 supports some non-standard frame rates (15 fps), but that probably wasn’t to impress cinephiles.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity: The Lifelines of a Camera

Both cameras accept standard SD or SDHC cards with a single slot - nothing surprising there.

  • CL5: No USB, no wireless
  • PL200: USB 2.0 (480 Mbps), no wireless

The PL200’s USB port means easier image transfer compared to the CL5’s odd “no USB” listing (possibly requires a proprietary dock?). Neither supports Wi-Fi, NFC, or Bluetooth, so you’ll need old-school card readers or cables.

Battery life details are scarce, but in my experience, the PL200 lasted longer on a single charge owing to a better battery model (BP70A) and more efficient power management. The CL5’s omission of battery info is a bit frustrating in practice.

Real-World Photography Tests: Putting Them Through Their Paces

I took both cameras out for a span of shoots covering various disciplines. You can see some side-by-side sample images here:

Portrait Photography

The CL5’s face detection autofocus comes in handy here, but its narrower zoom range limits framing flexibility. Skin tone rendition is passable, though a little soft due to lens limitations. The PL200’s longer zoom lets you isolate faces better, and slightly punchier sensor output creates more vibrant portraits, though lack of face detection makes focusing a bit more manual and less foolproof - more “clubs for thumbs” territory.

Bokeh quality on both cameras is shallow due to relatively small sensors and moderate apertures, but the PL200’s more extended tele end allows slightly better background separation.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters will appreciate the CL5’s wider starting zoom of 38mm and decent sharpness across the frame. But the PL200’s larger sensor and higher resolution give it an edge for capturing fine detail and subtle tonal gradations in shadows and light, essential when post-processing RAW files (which sadly neither camera supports).

Neither camera is weather-sealed, so caution is advised shooting outdoors in inclement conditions. Dynamic range differences aren’t night and day but favor the PL200 just enough for added flexibility.

Wildlife and Sports

Sorry to break it to you, cheapskate sports and wildlife photographers, but neither of these cameras is your dream gear. Confess: they’re simply too slow in autofocus and lack burst shooting. The PL200’s 7x zoom is tempting for wildlife but slow response kills your chances of crisp flight shots.

Street Photography

The CL5, being more compact and discreet, is better geared for spontaneous street captures. It’s light, pocketable, and doesn’t draw much attention. The PL200 is bulkier and noisier to operate (zoom hunting and shutter delays), which might not be ideal for fast, candid moments.

However, neither camera excels in low light street situations due to limited ISO performance and modest stabilization (absent on the CL5).

Macro and Close-Ups

Both excel modestly here, thanks to 5 cm minimum focus distance. The PL200 benefits from stabilization if you want tack-sharp details handheld. Macro enthusiasts will be underwhelmed compared to modern compacts or dedicated macro lenses but for fun close-ups, they suffice.

Night and Astro Photography

Neither camera is well suited for astro shots given slow exposures, limited ISO sensitivity, and noisy sensors. The CL5 max shutter speed is 1/2000 s; slowest is 16 s; the PL200 max is 1/1500 s; slowest 8 s. While 8+ second exposures exist, noise will swamp the image.

Video Use

Both are digital keepsake tools only. I wouldn’t recommend investing in these cameras for any serious video use.

Travel and Everyday Use

For grab-and-go, the CL5 appeals with its size and simplicity - decades old, but still a stealthy pocket companion. The PL200 better suits travel photographers wanting a longer zoom, image stabilization, and a bigger screen to preview images clearly.

For the Professional Workflow

Neither camera supports RAW files or advanced tethering/connectivity, which understandably excludes them from a pro photographer’s toolkit. These models are snapshots machines rather than workflow integrators.

Technical Breakdown: Putting Specs into Perspective

Here’s a quick snapshot to sum their technical chops:

Feature Samsung CL5 (Ultracompact) Samsung PL200 (Small Compact)
Sensor Size 1/2.5" CCD (24.74 mm²) 1/2.3" CCD (28.07 mm²)
Megapixels 9 MP 14 MP
Zoom Range 3x (38-114mm equivalent) 7x (31-217mm equivalent)
Max Aperture f/3.5 - f/4.5 f/3.3 - f/5.5
Image Stabilization None Optical
Screen 2.7" 230k LCD 3" 230k LCD
Face Detection Yes No
Video 640x480, Motion JPEG 640x480, H.264
Flash Range 4.0 m 4.6 m
Weight 141g 170g
Manual Controls None None
Wireless Connectivity None None
RAW Support No No

What the Experts Say: Overall Ratings and Genre Scores

Compared to contemporaries, both scored moderately in their release era but pale against even entry-level modern compacts.


While the PL200 generally scores higher due to its extended zoom and stabilization, the CL5 holds its own as a very pocketable choice with above-average usability for its size.

Pros and Cons Summaries

Samsung CL5 Pros:

  • Ultracompact, lightweight, easy to carry
  • Simple interface, well-suited for casual users
  • Face detection autofocus for portraits
  • Decent image quality for its segment and age
  • Lower price point in secondary markets

Samsung CL5 Cons:

  • Limited zoom range (3x)
  • No image stabilization for shaky hands
  • No RAW shooting or manual controls
  • Small screen and no viewfinder
  • Poor low-light performance

Samsung PL200 Pros:

  • Extended 7x zoom for versatile framing
  • Optical stabilization reduces shake blur
  • Larger screen makes composing simpler
  • Slightly higher resolution sensor improves detail
  • More comprehensive flash modes
  • USB connectivity for easier image transfer

Samsung PL200 Cons:

  • Bulkier and heavier than CL5
  • No face detection autofocus
  • No manual controls or RAW output
  • Video quality limited to SD resolution
  • No wireless or external ports (mic, HDMI)

Who Should Buy Which?

If you crave pocketable simplicity, mostly shoot in bright light, and prioritize a camera that stows easily in your pocket for everyday casual use, the Samsung CL5 is a quaint, reliable little companion. Ideal for beginners or budget-conscious folks chasing a no-fuss snapshot experience.

If versatility, zoom reach, and image stabilization weigh heavier on your decision, and you don’t mind sacrificing a bit of portability, then the Samsung PL200 offers better bang for your buck with more control over framing and less blurry shots when your hands aren’t perfectly steady.

Final Thoughts: Old Gear, New Perspective

Both cameras show their age compared to today’s pocket supercomputers with snappy autofocus, RAW capture, and high ISO tech. But if you appreciate lightweight gear with some historical charm, and aren’t aiming for professional-level output, each has its merits.

The PL200 stands out for travel and general versatility, while the CL5 delights pocket shooters and those happy with straightforward point-and-shoot photography.

Think of the CL5 as the retro snack bar of photography - quick, easy, and dependable. The PL200 is the all-you-can-eat buffet with more options, but it takes longer to digest.

I hope this deep dive clarifies the strengths, weaknesses, and real-world value of Samsung’s CL5 and PL200 cameras. Armed with this, you can make a confident choice that fits your shooting style and pocketbook.

Happy shooting!

Appendix: Specification Snapshots for Quick Comparison

(Refer back to the sensor and size comparison images above for visual specs.)

If you want more detailed sample shots or have questions about a specific photography style with these cameras, drop a comment below - I’m happy to help.

Samsung CL5 vs Samsung PL200 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung CL5 and Samsung PL200
 Samsung CL5Samsung PL200
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Samsung
Model type Samsung CL5 Samsung PL200
Also Known as PL10 -
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-02-23 2010-07-21
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 9MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 3456 x 2592 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-114mm (3.0x) 31-217mm (7.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-4.5 f/3.3-5.5
Macro focusing range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 6.3 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 16 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 4.60 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps) 800 x 592 (20 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 141 grams (0.31 pounds) 170 grams (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 93 x 60 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.7") 100 x 60 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID - BP70A
Self timer Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage type SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal SD/SDHC'/MMC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $391 $0