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Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung PL120

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Samsung PL120 front
Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung PL120 Key Specs

Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Introduced July 2014
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
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Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung PL120 Overview

Here is a detailed review of the Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung PL120, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Pentax and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the XG-1 (16MP) and the PL120 (14MP) is very similar and they use the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The XG-1 was unveiled 3 years later than the PL120 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Samsung PL120 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before going in to a in-depth comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the XG-1 matches up against the PL120 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Samsung PL120

 XG-1 PL120 
IntroducedJuly 2014January 2011Fresher by 43 months
Focus manually Very precise focus
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Pentax XG-1

 PL120 XG-1 

Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Samsung PL120

 XG-1 PL120 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung PL120 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax XG-1 has external measurements of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") accompanied by a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) whilst the Samsung PL120 has sizing of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Examine the Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung PL120 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the XG-1 versus the PL120.

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung PL120 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the XG-1 and PL120 is 66 and 99 respectively.

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung PL120 top view buttons comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung PL120 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizing merely by going over specs. The photograph here may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the XG-1 and PL120.

All in all, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Pentax XG-1 to offer you more detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more recent XG-1 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung PL120 sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung PL120 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung PL120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography advice
Samsung PL120 Portrait photography advice
40
manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
28
MP count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Street photography camera
Samsung PL120 as a Street photography camera
43
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than competition in class (567 grams)
49
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax XG-1
Sports photography with Samsung PL120
45
incredible zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery power (240 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
26
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
can't change focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Travel photography features
Samsung PL120 Travel photography features
52
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
very long reach (1248mm)
missing Timelapse function
low battery power (240 CIPA)
more heavy than competition in class (567 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
very good max aperture (f)
missing Timelapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography features
Samsung PL120 Landscape photography features
45
manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
low battery power (240 shots)
missing Timelapse function
33
very good max aperture (f)
MP count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Vlogging factors
Samsung PL120 Vlogging factors
25
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (567 grams)
31
very good max aperture (f)
includes microphone port
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
Photography Glossary

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung PL120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Samsung PL120
 Pentax XG-1Samsung PL120
General Information
Make Pentax Samsung
Model Pentax XG-1 Samsung PL120
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Introduced 2014-07-15 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 measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 -
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1248mm (52.0x) ()
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.6 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 200 thousand dot -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 9.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.00 m -
Flash settings Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) 1280 x 720
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 567g (1.25 lbs) -
Dimensions 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") 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 240 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model LB-060 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC -
Storage slots Single -
Cost at launch $599 $150