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Panasonic FH20 vs Samsung PL120

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 front
 
Samsung PL120 front
Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30

Panasonic FH20 vs Samsung PL120 Key Specs

Panasonic FH20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 100 x 56 x 28mm
  • Announced January 2010
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FS30
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
  • Launched January 2011
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Panasonic FH20 vs Samsung PL120 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Panasonic FH20 and Samsung PL120, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Ultracompact by competitors Panasonic and Samsung. The image resolution of the FH20 (14MP) and the PL120 (14MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The FH20 was launched 12 months before the PL120 so they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FH20 being a Compact camera and the Samsung PL120 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the FH20 matches up against the PL120 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH20 over the Samsung PL120

 FH20 PL120 

Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Panasonic FH20

 PL120 FH20 
LaunchedJanuary 2011January 2010More recent by 12 months

Common features in the Panasonic FH20 and Samsung PL120

 FH20 PL120 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Panasonic FH20 vs Samsung PL120 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic FH20 features physical dimensions of 100mm x 56mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 178 grams (0.39 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).

Take a look at the Panasonic FH20 and Samsung PL120 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the FH20 vs the PL120.

Panasonic FH20 vs Samsung PL120 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the FH20 and PL120 is 93 and 99 respectively.

Panasonic FH20 vs Samsung PL120 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH20 vs Samsung PL120 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to visualize the gap in sensor measurements only by going through technical specs. The photograph below might provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH20 and PL120.

As you have seen, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact MP so you should expect comparable quality of photographs though you should factor the release date of the cameras into account. The older FH20 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FH20 vs Samsung PL120 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH20 vs Samsung PL120 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH20 vs Samsung PL120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FH20
Portrait photography with Samsung PL120
28
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
28
good megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Street photography factors
Samsung PL120 Street photography factors
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
49
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Sports photography factors
Samsung PL120 Sports photography factors
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
26
good megapixels (14MP)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FH20
Travel photography with Samsung PL120
64
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
71
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
very good maximum aperture (f)
missing Timelapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Landscape photography factors
Samsung PL120 Landscape photography factors
37
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
33
very good maximum aperture (f)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Vlogging factors
Samsung PL120 Vlogging factors
28
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic support
31
very good maximum aperture (f)
does have microphone port
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
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Panasonic FH20 vs Samsung PL120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH20 and Samsung PL120
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20Samsung PL120
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Samsung
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 Samsung PL120
Also called Lumix DMC-FS30 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Announced 2010-01-06 2011-01-05
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 -
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-224mm (8.0x) ()
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.80 m (Auto ISO) -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro -
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 178 gr (0.39 lb) -
Physical dimensions 100 x 56 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") 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
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal -
Storage slots One -
Retail price $179 $150