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Samsung PL120 vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30
Samsung PL120 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54

Samsung PL120 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs

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
  • Released January 2011
Sony NEX-3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-C3
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Samsung PL120 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Samsung PL120 vs Sony NEX-3, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. The resolution of the PL120 (14MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is pretty comparable but the PL120 (1/2.3") and NEX-3 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The PL120 was brought out 8 months later than the NEX-3 which means that they are both of a similar age. The two cameras have different body design with the Samsung PL120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a brief view of how the PL120 matches up against the NEX-3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Sony NEX-3

 PL120 NEX-3 
RevealedJanuary 2011June 2010More recent by 8 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Samsung PL120

 NEX-3 PL120 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Samsung PL120 and Sony NEX-3

 PL120 NEX-3 
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Samsung PL120 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Samsung PL120 offers outer dimensions 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) and the Sony NEX-3 has proportions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

Examine the Samsung PL120 vs Sony NEX-3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the PL120 compared to the NEX-3.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the PL120 and NEX-3 is 99 and 89 respectively.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to visualise the gap in sensor measurements purely by going through technical specs. The graphic here may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the PL120 and NEX-3.

As you have seen, the two cameras provide the same megapixel count albeit not the same sensor measurements. The PL120 has got the smaller sensor which will make obtaining shallower depth of field more difficult. The fresher PL120 is going to have an advantage in sensor technology.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL120 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL120 Portrait photography factors
Sony NEX-3 Portrait photography factors
28
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
72
focusing manually
decent MP (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung PL120 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Street photography camera
49
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
76
has a tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL120 Sports photography information
Sony NEX-3 Sports photography information
26
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
fixed focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
52
decent MP (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Samsung PL120
Travel photography with Sony NEX-3
71
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
good maximum aperture (f)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not feature selfie friendly screen
59
decent MP (14MP)
no Time Lapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL120 Landscape photography highlights
Sony NEX-3 Landscape photography highlights
33
good maximum aperture (f)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
68
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have image stabilization
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL120 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Vlogging camera
31
good maximum aperture (f)
does have mic jack
does not feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
27
comes with face detection focusing
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic port
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Samsung PL120 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL120 and Sony NEX-3
 Samsung PL120Sony Alpha NEX-3
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model Samsung PL120 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2011-01-05 2010-06-07
Body design Ultracompact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.16 x 4.62mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Minimum native ISO - 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 25
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range () -
Number of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 12.00 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format - MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight - 297 gr (0.65 lbs)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 68
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.1
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.0
DXO Low light score not tested 830
Other
Battery life - 330 pictures
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage media - SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots - Single
Launch cost $150 $0