Samsung PL120

Samsung’s PL120 came out in 2011 with a clever idea: a second little screen on the front, right next to the lens, so you can see yourself while you shoot. That makes selfies and photos of the kids far easier — everyone can check they’re in frame before it clicks. Add a wide-starting 5× zoom and that warm, slightly soft older-sensor look, and it’s a fun, easy little camera. In chrome silver it’s the most grown-up of its colours.

NO FILTER: SHOT ON PL120

THE LOOKS

In chrome silver, the PL120 has a bright, shiny finish that catches the light — a cleaner, less playful look than the pink or purple versions. It’s a small, rounded rectangle, 94 × 54 × 19mm, that slips straight into a pocket. The little 1.5-inch screen sits on the front above the lens; the bigger 2.7-inch one is on the back. A button on top flicks the front screen on whenever you need it. Also in pink and purple.

THE SPECS

The star is that front screen — flick it on and you can see yourself as you shoot, so selfies and group shots actually come out framed right. It even counts down and plays little animations to get kids to look. The lens zooms 5× and starts nice and wide, good for fitting everyone in. The sensor gives that warm, slightly soft look these cameras are loved for. It steadies shots with software rather than a moving part, so it’s happiest in good light. Shoots HD video, and there are fun filters and frames built in. 94 × 54 × 19mm.

DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS

• A second screen on the front: see yourself as you shoot, so selfies and group photos actually come out framed right — not guesswork.
• Modes for photographing kids: the front screen counts down and plays animations to get little ones to look at the lens at the right moment.
• A wide lens that fits the whole group: starts wide enough to get everyone in without backing up — handy for parties and tight rooms.

THE VERDICT

The PL120 is built around one simple, useful idea and runs with it: the front screen makes selfies, group shots, and photos of restless kids far less hit-and-miss. The photos have that warm early-2010s look, and the wide lens fits everyone in. It leans on software to steady shots, so it likes daylight, but for parties and everyday snaps that’s no problem. In chrome silver it’s the version that looks like a proper camera rather than a toy.