Samsung CL5 vs Samsung PL200
95 Imaging
32 Features
14 Overall
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94 Imaging
36 Features
22 Overall
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Samsung CL5 vs Samsung PL200 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.
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:
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.
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.
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
Samsung CL5 | Samsung 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 |