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Samsung NX100 vs Samsung PL170

Portability
88
Imaging
55
Features
54
Overall
54
Samsung NX100 front
 
Samsung PL170 front
Portability
99
Imaging
39
Features
20
Overall
31

Samsung NX100 vs Samsung PL170 Key Specs

Samsung NX100
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 282g - 120 x 71 x 35mm
  • Revealed September 2010
  • Replacement is Samsung NX200
Samsung PL170
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 0 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • n/ag - 95 x 57 x 19mm
  • Released January 2011
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Samsung NX100 vs Samsung PL170 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Samsung NX100 versus Samsung PL170, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Ultracompact and both are offered by Samsung. The sensor resolution of the NX100 (15MP) and the PL170 (16MP) is pretty similar but the NX100 (APS-C) and PL170 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor sizing.

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The NX100 was announced 3 months before the PL170 and they are of a similar age. Both cameras come with different body type with the Samsung NX100 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Samsung PL170 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple overview of how the NX100 matches up against the PL170 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX100 over the Samsung PL170

 NX100 PL170 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen resolution614k230kClearer screen (+384k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Samsung NX100

 PL170 NX100 

Common features in the Samsung NX100 and Samsung PL170

 NX100 PL170 
ReleasedSeptember 2010January 2011Similar age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Samsung NX100 vs Samsung PL170 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and measurements. The Samsung NX100 has physical measurements of 120mm x 71mm x 35mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") with a weight of 282 grams (0.62 lbs) while the Samsung PL170 has proportions 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).

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Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the NX100 and the PL170.

Samsung NX100 vs Samsung PL170 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the NX100 and PL170 is 88 and 99 respectively.

Samsung NX100 vs Samsung PL170 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX100 vs Samsung PL170 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions just by going over specifications. The image underneath should provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the NX100 and PL170.

To sum up, the 2 cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The NX100 having a bigger sensor will make getting bokeh simpler and the Samsung PL170 will deliver extra detail with its extra 1MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots much more aggressively.

Samsung NX100 vs Samsung PL170 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX100 vs Samsung PL170 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX100 vs Samsung PL170 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung NX100
Portrait photography with Samsung PL170
73
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
saves RAW files
30
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung NX100 Street photography advice
Samsung PL170 Street photography advice
76
image stabilization
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
50
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung NX100
Sports photography with Samsung PL170
60
image stabilization
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good battery (420 CIPA)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
has no phase detect auto focus
27
megapixel count decent (16MP)
can't change focal length (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Samsung NX100
Travel photography with Samsung PL170
66
good battery (420 CIPA)
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
missing Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
71
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
very good max aperture (f)
no Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Samsung NX100
Landscape photography with Samsung PL170
75
focusing manually
swap lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
good battery (420 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
39
very good max aperture (f)
screen size is good (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX100 Vlogging features
Samsung PL170 Vlogging features
31
image stabilization
offers face detect focus
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone socket
27
very good max aperture (f)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic port
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Samsung NX100 vs Samsung PL170 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX100 and Samsung PL170
 Samsung NX100Samsung PL170
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Samsung
Model Samsung NX100 Samsung PL170
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Revealed 2010-09-14 2011-01-05
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip DRIMe Engine -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3056 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 -
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 15 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Samsung NX fixed lens
Lens focal range - ()
Amount of lenses 32 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 614 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology VGA AMOLED -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 282 grams (0.62 lbs) -
Dimensions 120 x 71 x 35mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 62 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 563 not tested
Other
Battery life 420 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BP1130 -
Self timer Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC -
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $386 $175