Puppy play date frequency vs exposure to other dogs?

My puppy is 11, almost 12 weeks old. I’m wondering what is the importance of actual puppy play dates vs just seeing other dogs out in the world? So far, he has had 1 true play date where he got to run around and play with our friend’s senior dog. Beyond that though, we don’t have a ton of friends with dogs that we trust to set up playdates with. However he gets quite decent amount of exposure to other dogs through 1) 1-2 times a week socialization activity (just observing from a distance) where other dogs are present, like at the park. We try to do something new everyday but dogs aren’t always around. 2) Puppy class once a week. Lots of other dogs in close proximity but there is no free play in this class.

Does he need to have more actual playdates to grow up neutral and comfortable with other dogs? Or is just the exposure that matters and less so the actual interactions?