Clicky

Panasonic TS3 vs Samsung PL120

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 front
 
Samsung PL120 front
Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30

Panasonic TS3 vs Samsung PL120 Key Specs

Panasonic TS3
(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
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
  • Announced January 2011
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

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").

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

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.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Panasonic TS3 over the Samsung PL120

 TS3 PL120 
AnnouncedAugust 2011January 2011Newer 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kSame 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic TS3 vs Samsung PL120 size comparison

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

Panasonic TS3 vs Samsung PL120 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic TS3 vs Samsung PL120 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic TS3 vs Samsung PL120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic TS3 as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung PL120 as a Portrait photography camera
21
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
28
good MP (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic TS3
Street photography with Samsung PL120
61
image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
49
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Panasonic TS3 as a Sports photography camera
Samsung PL120 as a Sports photography camera
37
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
great battery pack (310 shots)
low max shutter speed (1/1,300s)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
26
good MP (14 megapixels)
can't change focal length (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Panasonic TS3 Travel photography info
Samsung PL120 Travel photography info
63
great battery pack (310 shots)
weather proofing
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
71
good MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
very good max aperture (f)
missing Time Lapse mode
doesn't have selfie friendly display
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic TS3 Landscape photography details
Samsung PL120 Landscape photography details
38
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
great battery pack (310 shots)
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
33
very good max aperture (f)
good MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic TS3 Vlogging details
Samsung PL120 Vlogging details
31
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone port
31
very good max aperture (f)
comes with mic port
doesn't have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Panasonic TS3 vs Samsung PL120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic TS3 and Samsung PL120
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3Samsung 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