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Nikon L31 vs Samsung PL120

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
27
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix L31 front
 
Samsung PL120 front
Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30

Nikon L31 vs Samsung PL120 Key Specs

Nikon L31
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 160g - 96 x 59 x 29mm
  • Introduced January 2015
Samsung PL120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 0 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • n/ag - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Revealed January 2011
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Nikon L31 vs Samsung PL120 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Nikon L31 and Samsung PL120, both Ultracompact cameras by competitors Nikon and Samsung. The resolution of the L31 (16MP) and the PL120 (14MP) is relatively close and they possess the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The L31 was launched 4 years later than the PL120 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the L31 scores against the PL120 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L31 over the Samsung PL120

 L31 PL120 
RevealedJanuary 2015January 2011More recent by 49 months
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Nikon L31

 PL120 L31 

Common features in the Nikon L31 and Samsung PL120

 L31 PL120 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Nikon L31 vs Samsung PL120 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon L31 has exterior measurements of 96mm x 59mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Samsung PL120 has measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") along with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

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Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the L31 compared to the PL120.

Nikon L31 vs Samsung PL120 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the L31 and PL120 is 94 and 99 respectively.

Nikon L31 vs Samsung PL120 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L31 vs Samsung PL120 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to envision the difference in sensor measurements only by viewing specs. The visual below will provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the L31 and PL120.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Nikon L31 to render extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more modern L31 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

Nikon L31 vs Samsung PL120 sensor size comparison

Nikon L31 vs Samsung PL120 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L31 vs Samsung PL120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L31 Portrait photography details
Samsung PL120 Portrait photography details
35
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
28
good resolution (14MP)
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L31 Street photography details
Samsung PL120 Street photography details
55
built in image stabilization (Digital)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
more heavy than competitors (160g)
49
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L31 Sports photography features
Samsung PL120 Sports photography features
40
built in image stabilization (Digital)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
26
good resolution (14 megapixels)
fixed focal length (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L31 as a Travel photography camera
Samsung PL120 as a Travel photography camera
68
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
pretty wide (26mm)
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors (160g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
71
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
great max aperture (f)
lack of Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L31 Landscape photography highlights
Samsung PL120 Landscape photography highlights
39
pretty wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Digital)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse recording
33
great max aperture (f)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L31
Vlogging with Samsung PL120
65
pretty wide (26mm)
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Digital)
has face detection focus
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone support
more heavy than competitors (160g)
31
great max aperture (f)
includes mic support
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
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Nikon L31 vs Samsung PL120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L31 and Samsung PL120
 Nikon Coolpix L31Samsung PL120
General Information
Company Nikon Samsung
Model Nikon Coolpix L31 Samsung PL120
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Introduced 2015-01-14 2011-01-05
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 -
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) ()
Largest aperture f/3.2-6.5 -
Macro focus range 10cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.60 m -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 1280 x 720
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 grams (0.35 pounds) -
Dimensions 96 x 59 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7")
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
Battery life 200 photos -
Type of battery AA -
Battery model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes (10 secs) -
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal -
Card slots 1 -
Pricing at launch $0 $150