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Nikon S3100 vs Samsung PL120

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
23
Overall
31
Nikon Coolpix S3100 front
 
Samsung PL120 front
Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30

Nikon S3100 vs Samsung PL120 Key Specs

Nikon S3100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 118g - 94 x 58 x 18mm
  • Announced February 2011
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
  • Released January 2011
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Nikon S3100 vs Samsung PL120 Overview

In this article, we will be looking at the Nikon S3100 vs Samsung PL120, both Ultracompact cameras by competitors Nikon and Samsung. The image resolution of the S3100 (14MP) and the PL120 (14MP) is relatively close and they use the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The S3100 was launched 2 months after the PL120 so they are of a similar age. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before going through a complete comparison, below is a brief overview of how the S3100 grades vs the PL120 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S3100 over the Samsung PL120

 S3100 PL120 

Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Nikon S3100

 PL120 S3100 

Common features in the Nikon S3100 and Samsung PL120

 S3100 PL120 
ReleasedFebruary 2011January 2011Same age
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Nikon S3100 vs Samsung PL120 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon S3100 has got external measurements of 94mm x 58mm x 18mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") along with a weight of 118 grams (0.26 lbs) and 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).

Take a look at the Nikon S3100 vs Samsung PL120 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the S3100 versus the PL120.

Nikon S3100 vs Samsung PL120 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the S3100 and PL120 is 96 and 99 respectively.

Nikon S3100 vs Samsung PL120 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S3100 vs Samsung PL120 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to see the gap in sensor sizes just by viewing specifications. The image below may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the S3100 and PL120.

Plainly, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact MP so you can expect comparable quality of pictures though you really should factor the age of the cameras into account.

Nikon S3100 vs Samsung PL120 sensor size comparison

Nikon S3100 vs Samsung PL120 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S3100 vs Samsung PL120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S3100 Portrait photography advice
Samsung PL120 Portrait photography advice
33
MP count good (14 megapixels)
provides face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
28
good MP (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S3100 Street photography advice
Samsung PL120 Street photography advice
48
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
49
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S3100
Sports photography with Samsung PL120
32
MP count good (14MP)
provides tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
26
good MP (14 megapixels)
can't change focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S3100 Travel photography information
Samsung PL120 Travel photography information
65
MP count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.2)
71
good MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
fast maximum aperture (f)
does not have Time Lapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S3100 Landscape photography advice
Samsung PL120 Landscape photography advice
33
quite wide (26mm)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
33
fast maximum aperture (f)
good MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S3100 Vlogging information
Samsung PL120 Vlogging information
28
quite wide (26mm)
provides face detection autofocus
slow max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic socket
31
fast maximum aperture (f)
has external mic socket
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
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Nikon S3100 vs Samsung PL120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S3100 and Samsung PL120
 Nikon Coolpix S3100Samsung PL120
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Samsung
Model type Nikon Coolpix S3100 Samsung PL120
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Announced 2011-02-09 2011-01-05
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD 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 14MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 -
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) ()
Highest aperture f/3.2-6.5 -
Macro focusing distance 10cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.50 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1280 x 720
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 118 gr (0.26 lb) -
Dimensions 94 x 58 x 18mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL19 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC -
Card slots 1 -
Pricing at launch $139 $150