When you're choosing between PLCs and HMIs for an industrial control panel, the first buying question is whether you need the brain or the face. The Mitsubishi FX3G-60MR/ES programmable logic controller is the brain: a $70 controller that executes your logic. The Siemens SIMATIC KTP700 HMI is the face: a $614 touch screen that lets operators see and control what that brain is doing. They aren't interchangeable, but if you're putting together a compact automation setup, knowing which one belongs on your bench first matters.
Quick verdict
If you're starting a control project on a tight budget and need a controller to handle the automation, the Mitsubishi FX3G-60MR/ES gives you a working programmable logic controller. If you're working with a Siemens S7/300 controller and need a touch-screen operator panel, the KTP700 is the human-machine interface that fits that platform. For most first-time builds, the PLC comes first, because it's the device that actually reads inputs and drives outputs.
Price and role at a glance
| Mitsubishi FX3G-60MR/ES PLC | Siemens SIMATIC KTP700 HMI | |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | USD 70.00 | USD 614.00 |
| Role | Programmable logic controller | Touch-screen human-machine interface |
| Country of origin | Japan | Germany |
The price gap between these two is $544, so the decision is as much about function as it is about budget.
Where the Mitsubishi FX3G-60MR/ES wins
If your project needs a programmable logic controller on a tight budget, the Mitsubishi is the controller to pick. It's a used unit imported from Japan, and it does the core work of running your logic sequence. You sacrifice operator-facing extras, but for simple automation tasks that's often the right trade-off.
Where the Siemens SIMATIC KTP700 HMI wins
If you already use a Siemens S7/300 system, the KTP700 touch screen is the operator interface built for that platform. It gives operators a touch screen to monitor process data and interact with the machinery, which the Mitsubishi controller cannot do on its own.
Product notes
MITSUBISHI FX3G-60MR/ES Programmable Logic Controller
The Mitsubishi FX3G-60MR/ES is the low-cost way to bring programmable logic into a control panel. It's the only product here that functions as a standalone logic controller, so if your focus is on reading sensors and driving outputs, this is the component that does that work. It's a used unit from Japan, which keeps the cost down. The limitation is that it's a controller only; you'll need a separate HMI for visual interaction if your project requires one. That's an extra cost to budget for on top of the controller.
6AV2123-2GB03-0AX0 Siemens SIMATIC HMI KTP700 Touch Screen
The Siemens SIMATIC KTP700 Touch Screen is the operator-facing component of this pair. It's designed around an S7/300 controller platform, so it's a natural fit if your existing logic runs on Siemens. The touch screen itself is the main draw: operators can view process data and interact with the machine directly. The limitation is that it's an operator interface rather than a logic controller; if your system lacks a separate PLC, the HMI alone won't run your program. That makes it a harder sell for a first build.
Final choice by use case
Choose the Mitsubishi FX3G-60MR/ES PLC if you're starting a new automation project with a limited budget and need to control inputs and outputs. Choose the Siemens SIMATIC KTP700 HMI if you already have an S7/300 controller and want a touch-screen operator interface that makes the equipment easier to run.
