Samsung NX300 vs Samsung PL170
86 Imaging
62 Features
73 Overall
66


99 Imaging
38 Features
20 Overall
30
Samsung NX300 vs Samsung PL170 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1/6000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Samsung NX Mount
- 331g - 122 x 64 x 41mm
- Introduced November 2013
- Older Model is Samsung NX210
- Renewed by Samsung NX500
(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
- Launched January 2011

Samsung NX300 vs Samsung PL170 Overview
In this article, we will be contrasting the Samsung NX300 versus Samsung PL170, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Ultracompact and both of them are created by Samsung. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the NX300 (20MP) and PL170 (16MP) and the NX300 (APS-C) and PL170 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor dimensions.

The NX300 was released 2 years after the PL170 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Samsung NX300 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Samsung PL170 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before delving through a complete comparison, below is a short overview of how the NX300 matches up vs the PL170 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Samsung NX300 vs Samsung PL170 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Samsung NX300 and Samsung PL170. The complete galleries are viewable at Samsung NX300 Gallery and Samsung PL170 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Samsung NX300 over the Samsung PL170
NX300 | PL170 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | November 2013 | ![]() | January 2011 | More modern by 36 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen sizing | 3.3" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 768k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+538k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Samsung NX300
PL170 | NX300 |
---|
Common features in the Samsung NX300 and Samsung PL170
NX300 | PL170 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen |
Samsung NX300 vs Samsung PL170 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to carry around your camera often, you should factor in its weight and size. The Samsung NX300 has got outside measurements of 122mm x 64mm x 41mm (4.8" x 2.5" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 331 grams (0.73 lbs) and the Samsung PL170 has specifications of 95mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).
Look at the Samsung NX300 versus Samsung PL170 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the NX300 compared to the PL170.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the NX300 and PL170 is 86 and 99 respectively.

Samsung NX300 vs Samsung PL170 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it's hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizes simply by researching technical specs. The image underneath may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the NX300 and PL170.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The NX300 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF easier and the Samsung NX300 will render more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots far more aggressively. The more recent NX300 should have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Samsung NX300 vs Samsung PL170 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX300 vs Samsung PL170 Specifications
Samsung NX300 | Samsung PL170 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Samsung | Samsung |
Model type | Samsung NX300 | Samsung PL170 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Ultracompact |
Introduced | 2013-11-24 | 2011-01-05 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | DRIMe IV | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | APS-C | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 23.5 x 15.7mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 369.0mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 20 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
Maximum resolution | 5472 x 3648 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | - |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 247 | - |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Samsung NX | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | - | () |
Total lenses | 32 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3.3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 768 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen tech | Active Matrix OLED screen | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 8 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/6000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 9.0fps | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | - |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual | - |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/180 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 | 1280 x 720 |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | none |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 331 grams (0.73 pounds) | - |
Dimensions | 122 x 64 x 41mm (4.8" x 2.5" x 1.6") | 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 76 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.6 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.7 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 942 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 330 photos | - |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | BP1130 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) | - |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | - |
Storage slots | One | One |
Price at launch | $750 | $175 |