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Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung PL170

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Samsung PL170 front
Portability
99
Imaging
38
Features
20
Overall
30

Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung PL170 Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Launched April 2009
Samsung PL170
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 0 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • n/ag - 95 x 57 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2011
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Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung PL170 Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung PL170, both Ultracompact cameras by competitors Panasonic and Samsung. There exists a big gap among the sensor resolutions of the FS12 (12MP) and PL170 (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The FS12 was unveiled 20 months before the PL170 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before going through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the FS12 matches up against the PL170 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Samsung PL170

 FS12 PL170 

Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Panasonic FS12

 PL170 FS12 
LaunchedJanuary 2011April 2009Newer by 20 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Samsung PL170

 FS12 PL170 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung PL170 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FS12 has got outside measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Samsung PL170 has proportions of 95mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung PL170 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the FS12 compared to the PL170.

Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung PL170 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FS12 and PL170 is 95 and 99 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung PL170 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung PL170 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by checking out a spec sheet. The image underneath will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the FS12 and PL170.

As you can see, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should expect the Samsung PL170 to show greater detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged FS12 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung PL170 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung PL170 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung PL170 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung PL170 as a Portrait photography camera
20
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
29
good MP (16MP)
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Street photography camera
Samsung PL170 as a Street photography camera
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
50
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Sports photography features
Samsung PL170 Sports photography features
25
image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
27
good MP (16 megapixels)
fixed focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Travel photography information
Samsung PL170 Travel photography information
51
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse recording
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
very good max aperture (f)
no Timelapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Landscape photography highlights
Samsung PL170 Landscape photography highlights
27
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual mode not available
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
38
very good max aperture (f)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good MP (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Vlogging features
Samsung PL170 Vlogging features
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of external microphone jack
27
very good max aperture (f)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone port
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Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung PL170 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Samsung PL170
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Samsung PL170
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Samsung
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Samsung PL170
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Launched 2009-04-17 2011-01-05
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 80 -
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 31-124mm (4.0x) ()
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 8s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.30 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video 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 129 grams (0.28 lb) -
Dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" 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 card, Internal -
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $228 $175