Samsung PL171

Samsung released the PL171 in 2011 as the step up from the PL120 in the DualView lineup — same 1.5-inch front LCD and 26mm 5× zoom, but with a 16.1-megapixel sensor over the PL120's 14.2MP, a larger 3-inch rear screen, HDMI output, and Dual IS combining optical and digital stabilization where the PL120 relied on digital only. Same selfie concept, more camera behind it. In black it's the version that looks least like a gadget.

THE LOOKS

In black, the PL171 is a clean plastic rectangle — 95.3 × 57.3 × 19mm, 113g, with the 1.5-inch front LCD sitting above the lens on the front face and the 3-inch rear LCD filling the back. The front screen activates with a dedicated button on the top plate. A slight raised ridge along the right edge gives the hand something to grip on an otherwise flat body. Also available in silver, pink, and purple.

THE SPECS

The 16.1-megapixel CCD delivers warm, characterful output at base ISO — a step up from the PL120's 14.2MP sensor. The 5× zoom covers 26–130mm equivalent. Dual IS mode combines optical and digital stabilization simultaneously, which the PL120 couldn't match. The 3-inch rear LCD is larger than the PL120's 2.7-inch screen. HDMI output for TV playback. Smart Auto 2.0, Magic Frame, Smart Filter. 720p/30fps HD video. ISO 80–3200. microSD storage. 95.3 × 57.3 × 19mm, 113g.

DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS

• 1.5-inch front LCD with dedicated button: flip it on to frame self-portraits or point at children — the DualView feature shared with the PL120, here paired with optical IS and HDMI.
• Dual IS combining optical and digital stabilization: the key upgrade over the PL120, which had digital IS only — the optical element made a real difference in handheld shots in dim light.
• 16.1-megapixel CCD with 3-inch rear LCD and HDMI: higher resolution, larger screen, and TV output than the PL120 — the same concept executed with meaningfully more hardware.

THE VERDICT

The PL171 is the DualView done properly — the PL120 proved the concept, the PL171 improved on it in every measurable way. More megapixels, bigger rear screen, optical stabilization, HDMI. The 1.5-inch front LCD works exactly as advertised for selfies and shooting kids, the CCD output is warm and characterful at base ISO, and black is the version that looks like a camera rather than a fashion accessory.