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Samsung PL210 $199.99
By TJ Donegan October 5, 2011
Samsung PL210
Review Highlights

10x zoom in a slim body

Decent sharpness overall

Proprietary AV output

Score Breakdown
6.3
3.0
5.8

Introduction

The Samsung PL210 is marketed as the slimmest 10x optical zoom camera on the market. At 19.7mm thick, we can’t really argue with the claim, as it easily slots into the front pocket on a pair of jeans, with a lens that telescopes out to give it the equivalent of a 27-270mm zoom range. The most impressive slimming done on the PL210 may be on its price, however, as it rings up at under $200 total. We found it didn’t offer performance that rose above its peers in any single category, but for those looking for a slim camera with a great deal of zoom, the Samsung PL210 may fit just fine.

This review is organized into 16 pages
Page 1
Product Tour

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Page 2
Color

The Samsung PL210 offers average color accuracy, with no traditional color modes.

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Page 3
Noise

Noise was not overpowering on the Samsung PL210, but we’d advise keeping it to ISO 400 or lower.

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Page 4
Resolution

The PL210 features a 10x zoom lens with decent sharpness overall and only moderate distortion through the zoom range.

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Page 5
Video

The Samsung PL210 is capable of shooting 720/30p video with decent motion rendition, though we found sharpness to be poor.

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Page 6
Sample Photos

A gallery of photos taken with the Samsung PL210

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Page 7
Playback

The Samsung PL210 offers a good mix of in-camera editing and playback options, though the need for a proprietary AV output is a pain in the neck.

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Page 8
Hardware

The Samsung PL210 impressively packs a 10x optical zoom lens into a body that can easily slip into your pocket.

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Page 9
Controls

The PL210 does not offer many creative extras or manual controls, but it’s a simple, easy-to-use camera with a few surprises.

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Page 10
Design & Handling

The main appeal of the PL210 is its slim design, allowing a 10x optical zoom to fit in your pocket while still handling well.

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Page 11
Samsung PL120 Comparison
Samsung PL120

We compare the PL210 to the PL120.

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Page 12
Canon 100HS Comparison
Canon  PowerShot ELPH 100 HS

We compare the PL210 to the ELPH 100 HS.

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Page 13
Nikon S4100 Comparison
Nikon  Coolpix S4100

We compare the PL210 to the S4100.

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Page 14
Conclusion

Read our final conclusion of the Samsung PL210.

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Page 15
Photo Gallery

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Part 16
Comments

Read what people are saying about the Samsung PL210.

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Samsung PL210
Digital Camera Review

This review is organized into 16 pages

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