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Samsung NX5 vs Samsung PL120

Portability
80
Imaging
55
Features
50
Overall
53
Samsung NX5 front
 
Samsung PL120 front
Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30

Samsung NX5 vs Samsung PL120 Key Specs

Samsung NX5
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 499g - 123 x 87 x 40mm
  • Released June 2010
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 NX5 vs Samsung PL120 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Samsung NX5 versus Samsung PL120, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Ultracompact and they are both manufactured by Samsung. The resolution of the NX5 (15MP) and the PL120 (14MP) is very comparable but the NX5 (APS-C) and PL120 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The NX5 was launched 7 months prior to the PL120 and they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Samsung NX5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Samsung PL120 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before going in to a in-depth comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the NX5 scores vs the PL120 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX5 over the Samsung PL120

 NX5 PL120 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Samsung NX5

 PL120 NX5 
LaunchedJanuary 2011June 2010Fresher by 7 months

Common features in the Samsung NX5 and Samsung PL120

 NX5 PL120 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Samsung NX5 vs Samsung PL120 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera, you have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Samsung NX5 has got exterior dimensions of 123mm x 87mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6") with a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs) while the Samsung PL120 has measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") along with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Look at the Samsung NX5 versus Samsung PL120 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have during that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the NX5 versus the PL120.

Samsung NX5 vs Samsung PL120 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the NX5 and PL120 is 80 and 99 respectively.

Samsung NX5 vs Samsung PL120 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX5 vs Samsung PL120 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizing simply by going through specs. The visual below will help offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the NX5 and PL120.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The NX5 featuring a larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF simpler and the Samsung NX5 will provide extra detail utilizing its extra 1MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images far more aggressively. The older NX5 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Samsung NX5 vs Samsung PL120 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX5 vs Samsung PL120 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX5 vs Samsung PL120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX5 as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung PL120 as a Portrait photography camera
73
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
exports RAW formats
28
good MP (14MP)
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Samsung NX5 Street photography advice
Samsung PL120 Street photography advice
60
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competitors (499g)
49
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX5 as a Sports photography camera
Samsung PL120 as a Sports photography camera
52
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery power (400 shots)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
26
good MP (14MP)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX5 as a Travel photography camera
Samsung PL120 as a Travel photography camera
63
better than average battery power (400 CIPA)
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors (499g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
71
good MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
good max aperture (f)
no Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX5 Landscape photography factors
Samsung PL120 Landscape photography factors
68
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Samsung NX mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
decent megapixels (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (400 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
does not have Timelapse mode
33
good max aperture (f)
good MP (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX5 Vlogging highlights
Samsung PL120 Vlogging highlights
24
provides face detection focus
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone jack
more heavy than competitors (499g)
31
good max aperture (f)
includes external mic jack
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
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Samsung NX5 vs Samsung PL120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX5 and Samsung PL120
 Samsung NX5Samsung PL120
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Samsung
Model type Samsung NX5 Samsung PL120
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Released 2010-06-01 2011-01-05
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by DRIM Engine -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 365.0mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 4592 x 3056 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 -
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 15 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type Samsung NX fixed lens
Lens zoom range - ()
Number of lenses 32 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology Active Matrix OLED screen -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 11.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 499 gr (1.10 lb) -
Dimensions 123 x 87 x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6") 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 400 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BP1130 -
Self timer Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) -
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC -
Storage slots 1 -
Pricing at launch $499 $150