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Samsung NX3000 vs Samsung PL120

Portability
89
Imaging
63
Features
62
Overall
62
Samsung NX3000 front
 
Samsung PL120 front
Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30

Samsung NX3000 vs Samsung PL120 Key Specs

Samsung NX3000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 230g - 117 x 66 x 39mm
  • Announced May 2014
  • Succeeded the Samsung NX2000
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
  • Launched January 2011
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Samsung NX3000 vs Samsung PL120 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Samsung NX3000 and Samsung PL120, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Ultracompact and they are both built by Samsung. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the NX3000 (20MP) and PL120 (14MP) and the NX3000 (APS-C) and PL120 (1/2.3") use different sensor sizing.

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The NX3000 was launched 3 years after the PL120 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Samsung NX3000 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Samsung PL120 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go in to a more detailed comparison, below is a brief summation of how the NX3000 matches up against the PL120 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX3000 over the Samsung PL120

 NX3000 PL120 
LaunchedMay 2014January 2011More modern by 42 months
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Samsung NX3000

 PL120 NX3000 

Common features in the Samsung NX3000 and Samsung PL120

 NX3000 PL120 
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Samsung NX3000 vs Samsung PL120 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Samsung NX3000 features physical dimensions of 117mm x 66mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.5") and a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Samsung PL120 has specifications of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Check the Samsung NX3000 and Samsung PL120 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is the front view size comparison of the NX3000 vs the PL120.

Samsung NX3000 vs Samsung PL120 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the NX3000 and PL120 is 89 and 99 respectively.

Samsung NX3000 vs Samsung PL120 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX3000 vs Samsung PL120 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizes merely by viewing technical specs. The pic underneath might give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the NX3000 and PL120.

As you can tell, each of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The NX3000 due to its larger sensor is going to make getting bokeh easier and the Samsung NX3000 will provide you with extra detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics far more aggressively. The newer NX3000 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Samsung NX3000 vs Samsung PL120 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX3000 vs Samsung PL120 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX3000 vs Samsung PL120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung NX3000
Portrait photography with Samsung PL120
77
focusing manually
decent MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
exports RAW files
28
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Samsung NX3000 as a Street photography camera
Samsung PL120 as a Street photography camera
81
tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than average (230g)
very good high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
49
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX3000 Sports photography highlights
Samsung PL120 Sports photography highlights
56
decent MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect AF
26
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX3000 Travel photography advice
Samsung PL120 Travel photography advice
68
lighter than average (230g)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
71
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
fast maximum aperture (f)
lack of Timelapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX3000 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung PL120 as a Landscape photography camera
72
focusing manually
swap lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
decent MP (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse mode
33
fast maximum aperture (f)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual mode
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX3000 Vlogging advice
Samsung PL120 Vlogging advice
34
offers face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (230g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
does not have external mic port
31
fast maximum aperture (f)
does have external microphone socket
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
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Samsung NX3000 vs Samsung PL120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX3000 and Samsung PL120
 Samsung NX3000Samsung PL120
General Information
Make Samsung Samsung
Model Samsung NX3000 Samsung PL120
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Announced 2014-05-26 2011-01-05
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 5472 x 3648 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 -
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 35 -
Cross focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mount Samsung NX fixed lens
Lens focal range - ()
Amount of lenses 32 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 8 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash -
Flash modes no built-in flash -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
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 (30p), 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 1280 x 720
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 230 gr (0.51 pounds) -
Dimensions 117 x 66 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.5") 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 370 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model B740 -
Self timer Yes (2-30 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC -
Card slots 1 -
Price at launch $897 $150