Samsung's slim PL-series compact — 14.2MP CCD, 5x zoom, 2.7in LCD and 720p HD video
The Samsung PL22 was a slim budget compact from 2011, a regional variant on the same platform as the Samsung PL20 and PL21 — the three share a single user manual. The PL20 was announced in February 2011 as one of Samsung's entry compacts, and the PL22 carried the same core hardware to other markets, including the UK.
It packs a 14.2-megapixel 1/2.3in CCD behind a 5x optical zoom; on the sibling PL20 that lens spans a 27-135mm equivalent range at f/3.5-5.9. A 2.7in LCD handles framing, stabilisation is digital, and video records in 720p HD. Features include face detection and automatic scene recognition, and power comes from a rechargeable lithium-ion battery rather than AA cells.
The PL22 suits buyers wanting a thin, simple pocket camera with more reach than the typical 3x budget zoom, and its 720p video was a step up within the price class. Image quality is ordinary small-sensor CCD fare: pleasant colour in daylight, noisy above ISO 400, and the digital stabilisation offers limited help at the long end.
Check that the proprietary lithium-ion battery holds charge and a charger or USB lead is included, since official Samsung accessories are long discontinued. Verify the zoom extends without error messages, the LCD is free of pressure marks, and confirm which memory card format the specific example takes before buying it to use.