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Panasonic 3D1 vs Samsung PL120

Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
36
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1 front
 
Samsung PL120 front
Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30

Panasonic 3D1 vs Samsung PL120 Key Specs

Panasonic 3D1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.9-5.7) lens
  • 193g - 108 x 58 x 24mm
  • Introduced November 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
  • Introduced January 2011
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Panasonic 3D1 vs Samsung PL120 Overview

Below is a comprehensive review of the Panasonic 3D1 vs Samsung PL120, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Ultracompact by companies Panasonic and Samsung. The image resolution of the 3D1 (12MP) and the PL120 (14MP) is relatively well matched and they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The 3D1 was brought out 11 months later than the PL120 so they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic 3D1 being a Compact camera and the Samsung PL120 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the 3D1 grades versus the PL120 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic 3D1 over the Samsung PL120

 3D1 PL120 
IntroducedNovember 2011January 2011More recent by 11 months
Screen sizing3.5"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.8")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Panasonic 3D1

 PL120 3D1 

Common features in the Panasonic 3D1 and Samsung PL120

 3D1 PL120 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Panasonic 3D1 vs Samsung PL120 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic 3D1 has got physical dimensions of 108mm x 58mm x 24mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 0.9") along with a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs) and the Samsung PL120 has sizing of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

See the Panasonic 3D1 vs Samsung PL120 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the 3D1 versus the PL120.

Panasonic 3D1 vs Samsung PL120 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the 3D1 and PL120 is 93 and 99 respectively.

Panasonic 3D1 vs Samsung PL120 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic 3D1 vs Samsung PL120 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to imagine the difference between sensor measurements just by looking at technical specs. The photograph underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the 3D1 and PL120.

As you have seen, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can count on the Samsung PL120 to give you more detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The newer 3D1 provides a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic 3D1 vs Samsung PL120 sensor size comparison

Panasonic 3D1 vs Samsung PL120 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic 3D1 vs Samsung PL120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic 3D1 Portrait photography details
Samsung PL120 Portrait photography details
26
features face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
28
good megapixels (14MP)
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic 3D1 as a Street photography camera
Samsung PL120 as a Street photography camera
61
image stabilization (Optical)
has touch to focus
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
49
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic 3D1 Sports photography advice
Samsung PL120 Sports photography advice
30
image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300s)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
low battery life (200 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
26
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
fixed focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic 3D1
Travel photography with Samsung PL120
59
has touch to focus
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
low battery life (200 per charge)
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
71
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
good maximum aperture (f)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic 3D1
Landscape photography with Samsung PL120
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
big screen (3.5 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
no manual mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
low battery life (200 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse function
33
good maximum aperture (f)
good megapixels (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
screen is small (2.7")
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic 3D1 as a Vlogging camera
Samsung PL120 as a Vlogging camera
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic jack
31
good maximum aperture (f)
does have mic jack
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
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Panasonic 3D1 vs Samsung PL120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic 3D1 and Samsung PL120
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1Samsung PL120
General Information
Make Panasonic Samsung
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1 Samsung PL120
Class Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Introduced 2011-11-07 2011-01-05
Body design Compact 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 area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 -
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 23 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) ()
Maximum aperture f/3.9-5.7 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.5" 2.7"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT Full Touch Screen with AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1300 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.50 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 193 grams (0.43 pounds) -
Dimensions 108 x 58 x 24mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 0.9") 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 images -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal -
Storage slots Single -
Retail price $670 $150