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Pentax X-5 vs Samsung PL120

Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Pentax X-5 front
 
Samsung PL120 front
Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung PL120 Key Specs

Pentax X-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
  • Introduced August 2012
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
  • Introduced January 2011
Photography Glossary

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung PL120 Overview

Let's look closer at the Pentax X-5 vs Samsung PL120, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Ultracompact by companies Pentax and Samsung. The image resolution of the X-5 (16MP) and the PL120 (14MP) is fairly similar and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The X-5 was released 20 months after the PL120 making them a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Samsung PL120 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple view of how the X-5 matches up against the PL120 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Samsung PL120

 X-5 PL120 
IntroducedAugust 2012January 2011Newer by 20 months
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Pentax X-5

 PL120 X-5 

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Samsung PL120

 X-5 PL120 
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung PL120 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax X-5 offers outside measurements of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") accompanied by a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) and the Samsung PL120 has proportions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") and a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Check the Pentax X-5 vs Samsung PL120 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose during that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the X-5 vs the PL120.

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung PL120 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the X-5 and PL120 is 65 and 99 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung PL120 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung PL120 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions merely by reading specifications. The image here might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the X-5 and PL120.

Plainly, both cameras feature the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Pentax X-5 to offer more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images way more aggressively. The more recent X-5 provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung PL120 sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung PL120 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung PL120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung PL120 as a Portrait photography camera
43
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
provides face detection focusing
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
28
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 Street photography features
Samsung PL120 Street photography features
50
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
more heavy than average in class (595 grams)
49
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Sports photography camera
Samsung PL120 as a Sports photography camera
52
excellent zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
26
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X-5 Travel photography highlights
Samsung PL120 Travel photography highlights
53
decent megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (22mm)
very long zoom (580mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than average in class (595g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
71
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
good max aperture (f)
lack of Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax X-5
Landscape photography with Samsung PL120
47
has manual focus
reasonably wide (22mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
33
good max aperture (f)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 Vlogging advice
Samsung PL120 Vlogging advice
26
reasonably wide (22mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone support
more heavy than average in class (595 grams)
31
good max aperture (f)
includes mic jack
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
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Pentax X-5 vs Samsung PL120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Samsung PL120
 Pentax X-5Samsung PL120
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Samsung
Model type Pentax X-5 Samsung PL120
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Introduced 2012-08-22 2011-01-05
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 -
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 22-580mm (26.4x) ()
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 230k dot -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.10 m -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 595 gr (1.31 lb) -
Physical dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 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
Battery life 330 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Storage slots 1 -
Cost at launch $230 $150