• APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony A5000 advantages over Sony A5100

  • Less expensive
    $298 vs $448
    Save money for lenses or accessories

Sony A5100 advantages over Sony A5000

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,347 vs 1,089 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Higher-res screen
    230k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.0 fps vs 3.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    67 vs 15 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    6.0 fps vs 2.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    25 vs 9 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 16000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A5000

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A5100

Review Excerpt

  • Very small and comfortable form factor; Very good image quality for its class; New dual video record function; Quick autofocus and good dynamic range.

  • Lacks an EVF and external mode dial; No hot shoe; JPEG processing at higher ISOs not as good as some competing mid-level models.

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX1000

Sony A5000
Samsung NX1000
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe
Sony A5100
Samsung NX1000
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Sony NEX-3N

Sony A5000
Sony NEX-3N
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More pixels
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Sony A5100
Sony NEX-3N
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sony A5000
Samsung NX1100
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe
Sony A5100
Samsung NX1100
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Sony A5000
Sony NEX-5T
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
Sony A5100
Sony NEX-5T
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher-res screen

Compared to Canon EOS M3

Sony A5000
Canon EOS M3
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
Sony A5100
Canon EOS M3
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • External Mic Jack
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