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Samsung NX300 vs Samsung PL170

Portability
86
Imaging
62
Features
73
Overall
66
Samsung NX300 front
 
Samsung PL170 front
Portability
99
Imaging
38
Features
20
Overall
30

Samsung NX300 vs Samsung PL170 Key Specs

Samsung NX300
(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
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
  • Launched January 2011
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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.

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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.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Samsung NX300 over the Samsung PL170

 NX300 PL170 
LaunchedNovember 2013January 2011More modern by 36 months
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3.3"3"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution768k230kClearer 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Samsung NX300 vs Samsung PL170 size comparison

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

Samsung NX300 vs Samsung PL170 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX300 vs Samsung PL170 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX300 vs Samsung PL170 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX300 Portrait photography features
Samsung PL170 Portrait photography features
77
has manual focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
exports RAW formats
29
MP count decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung NX300 Street photography factors
Samsung PL170 Street photography factors
80
tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
includes focus by touch
good high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
50
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung NX300
Sports photography with Samsung PL170
72
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
has phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
27
MP count decent (16MP)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX300 as a Travel photography camera
Samsung PL170 as a Travel photography camera
66
includes focus by touch
megapixel count good (20MP)
missing Timelapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
71
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
good max aperture (f)
no Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX300 Landscape photography features
Samsung PL170 Landscape photography features
72
has manual focus
switch lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen is a good size (3.3 inches)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
missing Timelapse function
38
good max aperture (f)
nice screen size (3 inches)
MP count decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX300 Vlogging highlights
Samsung PL170 Vlogging highlights
33
has touchscreen
offers face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
missing microphone jack
27
good max aperture (f)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone jack
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Samsung NX300 vs Samsung PL170 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX300 and Samsung PL170
 Samsung NX300Samsung 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