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Samsung PL170 vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
99
Imaging
38
Features
20
Overall
30
Samsung PL170 front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
77
Features
62
Overall
71

Samsung PL170 vs Zeiss ZX1 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
  • Launched January 2011
Zeiss ZX1
(Full Review)
  • 37MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 4.34" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 51200
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 35mm (F2-22) lens
  • 800g - 142 x 93 x 46mm
  • Announced September 2018
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Samsung PL170 vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

Below, we are analyzing the Samsung PL170 and Zeiss ZX1, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by companies Samsung and Zeiss. There is a huge difference between the resolutions of the PL170 (16MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the PL170 (1/2.3") and ZX1 (Full frame) come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The PL170 was revealed 8 years before the ZX1 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Samsung PL170 being a Ultracompact camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting in to a in depth comparison, below is a quick summary of how the PL170 scores against the ZX1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Zeiss ZX1

 PL170 ZX1 

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Samsung PL170

 ZX1 PL170 
AnnouncedSeptember 2018January 2011Newer by 94 months
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimension4.34"3"Larger display (+1.34")
Display resolution2765k230kClearer display (+2535k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Samsung PL170 and Zeiss ZX1

 PL170 ZX1 
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Samsung PL170 vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and size. The Samsung PL170 enjoys exterior measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) while the Zeiss ZX1 has specifications of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

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Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the PL170 compared to the ZX1.

Samsung PL170 vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the PL170 and ZX1 is 99 and 67 respectively.

Samsung PL170 vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by checking technical specs. The image here will give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the PL170 and ZX1.

As you can tell, both cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The PL170 using its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Zeiss ZX1 will resolve extra detail because of its extra 21 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more aged PL170 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Samsung PL170 vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL170 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL170 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL170 Portrait photography advice
Zeiss ZX1 Portrait photography advice
29
good megapixels (16MP)
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
86
you can focus manually
fantastic megapixels (37MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung PL170 Street photography information
Zeiss ZX1 Street photography information
50
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
70
screen articulates fully
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
includes focus by touch
good high ISO (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competitors (800 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL170 Sports photography information
Zeiss ZX1 Sports photography information
27
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
63
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
fantastic megapixels (37 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
focal length is fixed (35mm)
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL170 as a Travel photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Travel photography camera
71
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
great max aperture (f)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly display
65
has bluetooth
includes focus by touch
fantastic megapixels (37MP)
good maximum aperture (f2)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors (800g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL170 Landscape photography details
Zeiss ZX1 Landscape photography details
38
great max aperture (f)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good megapixels (16MP)
manual focus not available
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
69
you can focus manually
good maximum aperture (f2)
big screen (4.34 inches)
fantastic megapixels (37 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (35mm)
does not have image stabilization
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL170 Vlogging factors
Zeiss ZX1 Vlogging factors
27
great max aperture (f)
does not have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic support
31
good maximum aperture (f2)
has touchscreen
comes with face detection focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing external microphone jack
more heavy than competitors (800 grams)
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Samsung PL170 vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL170 and Zeiss ZX1
 Samsung PL170Zeiss ZX1
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Zeiss
Model Samsung PL170 Zeiss ZX1
Category Ultracompact Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-01-05 2018-09-27
Body design Ultracompact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 37MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 7488 x 4992
Max native ISO 3200 51200
Min native ISO - 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 255
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range () 35mm (1x)
Largest aperture - f/2-22
Crop factor 5.9 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3" 4.34"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 2,765k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 6,221k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed - 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash options - no built-in flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight - 800 grams (1.76 lb)
Dimensions 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") 142 x 93 x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
Self timer - Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage - 512GB internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $175 -