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Samsung PL120 vs Sony RX100 III

Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30
Samsung PL120 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III front
Portability
89
Imaging
51
Features
77
Overall
61

Samsung PL120 vs Sony RX100 III Key Specs

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
Sony RX100 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 290g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Revealed May 2014
  • Replaced the Sony RX100 II
  • Later Model is Sony RX100 IV
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Samsung PL120 vs Sony RX100 III Overview

Its time to look closer at the Samsung PL120 and Sony RX100 III, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the PL120 (14MP) and RX100 III (20MP) and the PL120 (1/2.3") and RX100 III (1") provide different sensor size.

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The PL120 was released 4 years prior to the RX100 III which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Samsung PL120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony RX100 III being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple summation of how the PL120 scores against the RX100 III in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Sony RX100 III

 PL120 RX100 III 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 III over the Samsung PL120

 RX100 III PL120 
RevealedMay 2014January 2011Newer by 40 months
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1229k230kClearer display (+999k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Samsung PL120 and Sony RX100 III

 PL120 RX100 III 
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Samsung PL120 vs Sony RX100 III Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Samsung PL120 features external measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) whilst the Sony RX100 III has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") and a weight of 290 grams (0.64 lbs).

Contrast the Samsung PL120 and Sony RX100 III in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the PL120 compared to the RX100 III.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony RX100 III size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the PL120 and RX100 III is 99 and 89 respectively.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony RX100 III top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sony RX100 III Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by viewing specifications. The pic below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the PL120 and RX100 III.

Plainly, both of those cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The PL120 because of its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony RX100 III will provide you with greater detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images more aggressively. The more aged PL120 will be behind in sensor technology.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony RX100 III sensor size comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sony RX100 III Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL120 vs Sony RX100 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL120 Portrait photography advice
Sony RX100 III Portrait photography advice
28
resolution is good (14MP)
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
64
manual focus
high flash sync (1/2,000s)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
supports face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung PL120
Street photography with Sony RX100 III
49
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
85
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor size (1")
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (290g)
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Sports Comparison

Samsung PL120 as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX100 III as a Sports photography camera
26
resolution is good (14MP)
can't change focal length (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
supports tracking focus
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL120 as a Travel photography camera
Sony RX100 III as a Travel photography camera
71
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
good maximum aperture (f)
no Time Lapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly display
85
lighter than competition in class (290 grams)
resolution is good (20MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
decently wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL120 Landscape photography highlights
Sony RX100 III Landscape photography highlights
33
good maximum aperture (f)
resolution is good (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
73
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
exports RAW formats
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL120 Vlogging features
Sony RX100 III Vlogging features
31
good maximum aperture (f)
does have mic jack
doesn't have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
80
decently wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (290g)
does not have microphone jack
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Samsung PL120 vs Sony RX100 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL120 and Sony RX100 III
 Samsung PL120Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung PL120 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III
Category Ultracompact Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-01-05 2014-05-15
Body design Ultracompact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO - 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 25
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range () 24-70mm (2.9x)
Maximum aperture - f/1.8-2.8
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 2.7
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.59x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed - 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/24p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p/24p/120p), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight - 290g (0.64 lb)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 67
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 495
Other
Battery life - 320 shots
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BX1
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, self-portrait, continuous)
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage - SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots - One
Cost at launch $150 $748