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Samsung PL170 vs Samsung SL720

Portability
99
Imaging
39
Features
20
Overall
31
Samsung PL170 front
 
Samsung SL720 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26

Samsung PL170 vs Samsung SL720 Key Specs

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
  • Introduced January 2011
Samsung SL720
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28-102mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 168g - 92 x 61 x 23mm
  • Launched July 2009
  • Additionally Known as PL70
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Samsung PL170 vs Samsung SL720 Overview

Here is a comprehensive analysis of the Samsung PL170 versus Samsung SL720, both Ultracompact cameras and both of them are designed by Samsung. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the PL170 (16MP) and SL720 (12MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The PL170 was brought out 18 months later than the SL720 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the PL170 scores vs the SL720 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Samsung SL720

 PL170 SL720 
LaunchedJanuary 2011July 2009Fresher by 18 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Samsung SL720 over the Samsung PL170

 SL720 PL170 

Common features in the Samsung PL170 and Samsung SL720

 PL170 SL720 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Samsung PL170 vs Samsung SL720 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Samsung PL170 provides external dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) and the Samsung SL720 has proportions of 92mm x 61mm x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") with a weight of 168 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Samsung PL170 versus Samsung SL720 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the PL170 versus the SL720.

Samsung PL170 vs Samsung SL720 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the PL170 and SL720 is 99 and 94 respectively.

Samsung PL170 vs Samsung SL720 top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Samsung SL720 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to picture the gap in sensor sizing just by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic below will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the PL170 and SL720.

As you can see, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Samsung PL170 to provide more detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The fresher PL170 provides an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Samsung PL170 vs Samsung SL720 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Samsung SL720 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL170 vs Samsung SL720 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL170 as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung SL720 as a Portrait photography camera
30
good MP (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
21
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Samsung PL170 Street photography features
Samsung SL720 Street photography features
50
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
47
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
heavier than others in class (168g)
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL170 Sports photography advice
Samsung SL720 Sports photography advice
27
good MP (16 megapixels)
fixed focal length (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
17
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL170 as a Travel photography camera
Samsung SL720 as a Travel photography camera
71
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
great maximum aperture (f)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
56
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than others in class (168 grams)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Samsung PL170
Landscape photography with Samsung SL720
39
great maximum aperture (f)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good MP (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
27
reasonably wide (28mm)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL170 Vlogging features
Samsung SL720 Vlogging features
27
great maximum aperture (f)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic support
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
heavier than others in class (168g)
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Samsung PL170 vs Samsung SL720 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL170 and Samsung SL720
 Samsung PL170Samsung SL720
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Samsung
Model Samsung PL170 Samsung SL720
Otherwise known as - PL70
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Introduced 2011-01-05 2009-07-14
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Min native ISO - 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range () 28-102mm (3.6x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-5.7
Macro focus range - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 4.60 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 800 x 592 (20 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format - Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight - 168 gr (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") 92 x 61 x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9")
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
Battery model - SLB-10A
Self timer - Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage - SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $175 $119