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Samsung CL5

 
Samsung CL5 front
 
  • 9MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-114mm (F3.5-4.5) lens
  • 141g - 93 x 60 x 19mm
  • Launched February 2009
  • Also referred to as PL10
  • Read full specs
  • Alternatives
  • Size Comparison
  • FAQ
Portability
95
Imaging
32
Features
14
Overall
24

Samsung CL5 summary

Samsung CL5 is Samsung's Ultracompact camera originally introduced on February of 2009. It comes with a 9 MegaPixel, CCD 1/2.5" size sensor with a max resolution of 3456 x 2592. It is also known as "PL10" in certain regions.

The CL5 stands at #145 out of 151 in Ultracompact cameras and over all #1252 out of 1465 for digital cameras in our list. You should try out our Smart camera filter to see camera listings based on your personal factors.

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Below is a graph of multiple factors used in the rating system.

Samsung CL5 Pros and Cons

Here is a selection of good and bad points of the Samsung CL5 based on things which are generally considered useful in a camera.

built-in flash
good minimum ISO (80)
good zoom range (38-114mm 3.0 x zoom)
includes face detect focus
cannot use external flash
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
lack of aperture priority mode
lack of phase detect auto focus
lack of RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
MP count low (9 megapixels)
no articulating screen
no HDMI support
no headphone jack
no manual focus
no manual mode
no microphone jack
no shutter priority mode
no Timelapse recording
screen has low resolution (230 thousand dot)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
sluggish at full zoom (f4.5)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
wide angle not great (38mm)
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Samsung CL5 Sensor specs

The measurement of the sensor on the Samsung CL5 is 5.744mm x 4.308mm (1/2.5"). The 25 mm² sensor has the ability to capture 3456 x 2592 pixels with aspect ratios of 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2.

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The CCD sensor boasts 9 megapixels and gives a native ISO range of 80 to 3200. Unfortunately, RAW photos are not saved so you have less room to maneuver in post.

The picture underneath displays the CL5's sensor size in comparison to other common sizes. The CL5 sensor comes with a crop factor of 6.3 and is highlighted in green.

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To get a sense of different aspect ratios, you should refer to the visual below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Samsung CL5 dimensions

Samsung CL5 is 0.31 lbs (141 grams / 4.97 oz) and features external size of 93mm x 60mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.7"). The weight of typical Ultracompact camera is 121 grams and the Samsung CL5 is more heavy than other rivals.

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Underneath is a shot of the Samsung CL5 alongside a soda to help you have a feel for its size.

Samsung CL5 dimensions scale

The top view underneath will illustrate the button arrangement on the CL5.

Samsung CL5 topview buttons dials

Samsung CL5 Lens details

The CL5 offers a fixed lens with a focal range of 38-114mm making it a 3.0 x zoom which may not be amazing however it might be very helpful in certain scenarios.

At it's widest 38mm, it provides an aperture of f3.5 which will be really sluggish and not ideal in low light conditions and you will find it hard to capture good bokeh. You might also need to up your ISO producing noisy pictures. With the long end, 114mm comes to f4.5 making it fairly sluggish and you will have to go with slow shutter speeds.

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Samsung CL5 Connectivity

The CL5 has the following connectivity:

    Digital cameras which include NFC and Bluetooth compatibility can easily be used wirelessly via smartphones. You can copy pictures and sometimes adjust settings without connecting straight with the camera.

    Many apps also give a Liveview and hit the shutter when you are not close to the camera. If the camera comes with a HDMI out, it could be connected to an external screen. A good number of cameras enable you to charge the battery pack using the USB socket.

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    Samsung CL5 Video details

    The max video resolution on the Samsung CL5 is 640 x 480 and it can save in Motion JPEG format. 480p is awful by today's requirements. You should shoot for at least 1080p resolution for decent video. The body does not have a mic and headphone socket so you get zero control over your audio. It is probably best to get another model should you need better audio in your video clips.

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    Samsung CL5 Weather Sealing

    Samsung CL5 does not have environment proofing so rainy conditions can easily ruin the camera.

    Samsung CL5 Display and Viewfinder

    The Samsung CL5 comes with a 2.7 inch fixed display with a resolution of 230 thousand dots.

    Please note that the display screen offers no touch support.

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    The View Finder specs regarding Samsung CL5 are as follows:

    • ViewFinder None

    Viewfinders are rather handy in sunny outdoor situations which will make the camera display washed out and difficult to view.

    Samsung CL5 Shutter details

    The maximum shutter speed is 1/2000 sec.

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    Samsung CL5 Flash and Hot shoe details

    Samsung CL5 has got just in-built flash lacking external flash support.

    Samsung CL5 Autofocus details

    Samsung CL5 has got only Contrast Detect Auto Focus and does not have Phase Detect Auto Focus. Phase Detection autofocusing is more quicker & precise than Contrast Detect autofocusing. The camera comes with Face detect which can be useful for people photography.

    Samsung CL5 does not have manual focus. Manual focus can be good in low light scenarios or you want to have more exact control on depth of field.

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    Samsung CL5 Battery life

    The usual Ultracompact camera battery life is 214. Nikon L32 offers the maximum (320) battery life in this group of cameras.

    Underneath is a collection of Ultracompact cameras that come with the best battery life:

    Samsung CL5 for specific types of photography

    The following diagram displays a rundown of the Samsung CL5 for specific types of photography. To see more, check out the specific section underneath.

    Samsung CL5 Portrait photography highlights

    The Samsung CL5 has a points total of 24 which is really bad, meaning that it is not suitable to use for portraits. Photographing portrait images favors heavily to sensor specs, RAW support together with the potential to utilize off-camera lighting.

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    supports face detection focus
    manual focus not available
    manual exposure not available
    can't use external flash
    MP count low (9 megapixels)
    small sensor size (1/2.5")
    lacks RAW support

    Samsung CL5 Street photography factors

    Coming in at a moderate points total of 47, the Samsung CL5 is somewhat suited for street photography. A decent street photography camera has a perfect balance of image quality plus portability.

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    screen does not articulate
    no image stabilization
    sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
    lack of RAW support

    Samsung CL5 Sports photography advice

    A really bad sports photography rating of 16 means the Samsung CL5 is not suitable for shooting sports. A camera really should have good tracking plus shutter speeds for sports photography.

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    lack of shutter priority mode
    does not have image stabilization
    low resolution (9 megapixels)
    sensor is very small (1/2.5")
    lack of phase detect AF

    Samsung CL5 Travel photography advice

    Size is super critical when selecting a camera for travel. Overall, the Samsung CL5 gets a decent 51 as a travel camera which is reasonably appropriate to purchase for your trips.

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    has built in flash
    missing Time Lapse function
    sensor resolution low (9 megapixels)
    display isn't selfie friendly
    wide angle not great (38mm)
    somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)

    Samsung CL5 Landscape photography factors

    When you're planning to choose a camera for landscape photography, the most critical aspect will no doubt be image quality. The Samsung CL5 at it's really bad rating of 22 for a landscape camera is not suitable compared to it's competitors.

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    manual focus not available
    cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
    wide angle not good (38mm)
    somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
    screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
    no manual exposure
    no image stabilization
    low resolution (9MP)
    small sensor size (1/2.5")
    lacks RAW files
    lack of Time Lapse mode

    Samsung CL5 Vlogging highlights

    A vlogging camera should offer a articulating display, microphone input and if possible IBIS. Taking everything in to account, the Samsung CL5 is not suitable for vlogging as it gets a really bad score of 25.

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    offers face detection autofocus
    wide angle not great (38mm)
    sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
    doesn't offer selfie friendly display
    does not have image stabilization
    video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
    lack of external mic socket

    Samsung CL5 Alternatives

    If you are looking for alternatives to the CL5, below is a collection of the highest rated cameras which fall in to the category of Ultracompact.

    The graph underneath shows you a bird's eye view of the CL5 versus it's top scoring rivals suggested previously.

    These are various other cameras you might check out as alternative options. To look at a thorough comparison, simply click the "compare" link.

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    Specifications

    General Information
    Brand
    Samsung
    Model
    Samsung CL5
    Alternate name
    PL10
    Category
    Ultracompact
    Launched
    2009-02-23
    Body design
    Ultracompact
    Sensor Information
    Sensor type
    CCD
    Sensor size
    1/2.5"
    Sensor measurements
    5.744 x 4.308mm
    Sensor area
    24.7mm²
    Sensor resolution
    9 megapixel
    Anti aliasing filter
    Aspect ratio
    16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
    Highest Possible resolution
    3456 x 2592
    RAW pictures
    Maximum native ISO
    3200
    Minimum native ISO
    80
    Autofocusing
    Manual focus
    Touch focus
    Continuous AF
    Single AF
    Tracking AF
    Selective AF
    Center weighted AF
    AF multi area
    AF live view
    Face detect AF
    Contract detect AF
    Phase detect AF
    Lens
    Lens mount
    fixed lens
    Lens focal range
    38-114mm (3.0x)
    Maximal aperture
    f/3.5-4.5
    Macro focus range
    5cm
    Crop factor
    6.3
    Screen
    Range of display
    Fixed Type
    Display diagonal
    2.7 inch
    Display resolution
    230 thousand dot
    Selfie friendly
    Liveview
    Touch function
    Viewfinder Information
    Viewfinder
    None
    DXO scores
    DXO Overall score
    not tested
    DXO Color Depth score
    not tested
    DXO Dynamic range score
    not tested
    DXO Low light score
    not tested
    Features
    Min shutter speed
    16s
    Max shutter speed
    1/2000s
    Shutter priority
    Aperture priority
    Expose Manually
    Change WB
    Image stabilization
    Inbuilt flash
    Flash range
    4.00 m
    Flash modes
    Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
    External flash
    Auto exposure bracketing
    White balance bracketing
    Exposure
    Multisegment metering
    Average metering
    Spot metering
    Partial metering
    AF area metering
    Center weighted metering
    Video features
    Supported video resolutions
    640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps)
    Maximum video resolution
    640x480
    Video data format
    Motion JPEG
    Microphone input
    Headphone input
    Connectivity
    Wireless
    None
    Bluetooth
    NFC
    HDMI
    USB
    none
    GPS
    None
    Physical
    Environment seal
    Water proof
    Dust proof
    Shock proof
    Crush proof
    Freeze proof
    Weight
    141 gr (0.31 pounds)
    Dimensions
    93 x 60 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.7")
    Other
    Self timer
    Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
    Time lapse feature
    Storage media
    SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
    Storage slots
    1
    Price at release
    $391