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Panasonic FP3 vs Samsung PL120

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
25
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 front
 
Samsung PL120 front
Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30

Panasonic FP3 vs Samsung PL120 Key Specs

Panasonic FP3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 155g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2010
Samsung PL120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 0 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • n/ag - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Revealed January 2011
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Panasonic FP3 vs Samsung PL120 Overview

Here, we are matching up the Panasonic FP3 versus Samsung PL120, both Ultracompact cameras by competitors Panasonic and Samsung. The image resolution of the FP3 (14MP) and the PL120 (14MP) is very close and both cameras have the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The FP3 was unveiled 12 months earlier than the PL120 so they are of a similar age. The two cameras feature the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before going straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short summary of how the FP3 grades against the PL120 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP3 over the Samsung PL120

 FP3 PL120 
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Panasonic FP3

 PL120 FP3 
RevealedJanuary 2011January 2010More modern by 12 months

Common features in the Panasonic FP3 and Samsung PL120

 FP3 PL120 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Panasonic FP3 vs Samsung PL120 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera, you will want to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic FP3 has got physical measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") with a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) and the Samsung PL120 has sizing of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FP3 versus Samsung PL120 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the FP3 against the PL120.

Panasonic FP3 vs Samsung PL120 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FP3 and PL120 is 95 and 99 respectively.

Panasonic FP3 vs Samsung PL120 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP3 vs Samsung PL120 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizes only by researching specs. The image here may give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the FP3 and PL120.

All in all, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same resolution so you can expect comparable quality of images although you would want to factor the age of the cameras into account. The more aged FP3 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FP3 vs Samsung PL120 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP3 vs Samsung PL120 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP3 vs Samsung PL120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FP3
Portrait photography with Samsung PL120
28
good MP (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
28
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Street photography factors
Samsung PL120 Street photography factors
60
image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch to focus
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
more heavy than others in class (155g)
49
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Sports photography features
Samsung PL120 Sports photography features
34
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
max frames per second low (5.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
26
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
can't change focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Travel photography info
Samsung PL120 Travel photography info
60
boasts touch to focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than others in class (155 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
71
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
has built in flash
good max aperture (f)
does not have Time Lapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FP3
Landscape photography with Samsung PL120
37
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
33
good max aperture (f)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Vlogging details
Samsung PL120 Vlogging details
27
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone support
more heavy than others in class (155g)
31
good max aperture (f)
includes mic jack
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
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Panasonic FP3 vs Samsung PL120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP3 and Samsung PL120
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3Samsung PL120
General Information
Company Panasonic Samsung
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 Samsung PL120
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Launched 2010-01-06 2011-01-05
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 -
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) ()
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 10cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.90 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro -
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 155g (0.34 lbs) -
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" 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
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal -
Storage slots Single -
Price at launch $182 $150