Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung PL170
95 Imaging
34 Features
14 Overall
26


99 Imaging
38 Features
20 Overall
30
Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung PL170 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung PL170 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 and Samsung PL170. The full galleries are viewable at Panasonic FS12 Gallery and Samsung PL170 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Samsung PL170
FS12 | PL170 |
---|
Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Panasonic FS12
PL170 | FS12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2011 | ![]() | April 2009 | Newer by 20 months |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Samsung PL170
FS12 | PL170 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung PL170 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 | Samsung 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 |