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Samsung PL120 vs Samsung PL170

Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30
Samsung PL120 front
 
Samsung PL170 front
Portability
99
Imaging
39
Features
20
Overall
31

Samsung PL120 vs Samsung PL170 Key Specs

Samsung PL120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 0 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • n/ag - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2011
Samsung PL170
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 0 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • n/ag - 95 x 57 x 19mm
  • Revealed January 2011
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Samsung PL120 vs Samsung PL170 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Samsung PL120 and Samsung PL170, both Ultracompact cameras and both of them are produced by Samsung. The image resolution of the PL120 (14MP) and the PL170 (16MP) is very comparable and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The PL120 was unveiled within a month of the PL170 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before going straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the PL120 scores versus the PL170 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Samsung PL170

 PL120 PL170 

Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Samsung PL120

 PL170 PL120 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Samsung PL120 and Samsung PL170

 PL120 PL170 
RevealedJanuary 2011January 2011Same generation
Focus manually No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Samsung PL120 vs Samsung PL170 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Samsung PL120 has exterior measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") and a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) while the Samsung PL170 has specifications of 95mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

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Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the PL120 against the PL170.

Samsung PL120 vs Samsung PL170 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the PL120 and PL170 is 99 and 99 respectively.

Samsung PL120 vs Samsung PL170 top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Samsung PL170 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to see the gap in sensor sizing just by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the PL120 and PL170.

Clearly, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Samsung PL170 to provide more detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively.

Samsung PL120 vs Samsung PL170 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Samsung PL170 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL120 vs Samsung PL170 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung PL120
Portrait photography with Samsung PL170
28
MP count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
30
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung PL120
Street photography with Samsung PL170
49
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
50
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL120 Sports photography factors
Samsung PL170 Sports photography factors
26
MP count good (14MP)
can't change focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
27
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
can't change focal length (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Samsung PL120
Travel photography with Samsung PL170
71
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
very good maximum aperture (f)
no Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
71
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
good max aperture (f)
missing Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL120 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung PL170 as a Landscape photography camera
33
very good maximum aperture (f)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Timelapse recording
39
good max aperture (f)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
good megapixels (16MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
no manual control
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung PL120
Vlogging with Samsung PL170
31
very good maximum aperture (f)
has microphone port
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
27
good max aperture (f)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone jack
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Samsung PL120 vs Samsung PL170 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL120 and Samsung PL170
 Samsung PL120Samsung PL170
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Samsung
Model Samsung PL120 Samsung PL170
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Announced 2011-01-05 2011-01-05
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO - -
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range () ()
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 8s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 1280 x 720
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none none
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Time lapse recording
Storage slots - 1
Price at release $150 $175