Panasonic TS3 vs Samsung PL120
92 Imaging
35 Features
31 Overall
33


99 Imaging
37 Features
20 Overall
30
Panasonic TS3 vs Samsung PL120 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 197g - 103 x 64 x 27mm
- Introduced August 2011
- Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FT3
- Succeeded the Panasonic TS2
- Newer Model is Panasonic TS4
(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
- Announced January 2011

Panasonic TS3 vs Samsung PL120 Overview
Below, we will be analyzing the Panasonic TS3 versus Samsung PL120, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Ultracompact by brands Panasonic and Samsung. The resolution of the TS3 (12MP) and the PL120 (14MP) is relatively comparable and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The TS3 was announced 8 months after the PL120 and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic TS3 being a Compact camera and the Samsung PL120 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick summation of how the TS3 grades vs the PL120 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic TS3 vs Samsung PL120 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 and Samsung PL120. The whole galleries are provided at Panasonic TS3 Gallery and Samsung PL120 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic TS3 over the Samsung PL120
TS3 | PL120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | August 2011 | ![]() | January 2011 | Newer by 8 months |
Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Panasonic TS3
PL120 | TS3 |
---|
Common features in the Panasonic TS3 and Samsung PL120
TS3 | PL120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimension | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Identical screen measurement |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Missing Touch screen |
Panasonic TS3 vs Samsung PL120 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic TS3 comes with outer dimensions of 103mm x 64mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") along with a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs) whilst 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).
Contrast the Panasonic TS3 versus Samsung PL120 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have at the time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the TS3 vs the PL120.

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the TS3 and PL120 is 92 and 99 respectively.

Panasonic TS3 vs Samsung PL120 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is very tough to see the difference in sensor dimensions only by checking out technical specs. The picture below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the TS3 and PL120.
As you can tell, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Samsung PL120 to provide more detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The fresher TS3 will have an edge in sensor technology.

Panasonic TS3 vs Samsung PL120 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic TS3 vs Samsung PL120 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 | Samsung PL120 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Panasonic | Samsung |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 | Samsung PL120 |
Otherwise known as | Lumix DMC-FT3 | - |
Class | Waterproof | Ultracompact |
Introduced | 2011-08-16 | 2011-01-05 |
Body design | Compact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Venus Engine FHD | - |
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 area | 27.7mm² | 28.5mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
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 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | - |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | - |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-128mm (4.6x) | () |
Largest aperture | f/3.3-5.9 | - |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | - |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.7 inch | 2.7 inch |
Display resolution | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60s | 8s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1300s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 4.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 5.60 m | - |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | - |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | - |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | none |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 197 grams (0.43 lb) | - |
Dimensions | 103 x 64 x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") | 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 | 310 photographs | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Self timer | Yes | - |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | - |
Storage slots | Single | - |
Pricing at launch | $380 | $150 |