• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.0 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot A580
  • Sony Alpha ILCE-A5100
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Sony Alpha ILCE-A5100 webpage
Predecessor:   Sony NEX-5T
NEX-5T vs A5100
Successor:    
General
Model Number: A580 A5100
Alternate Model Number(s):   ILCE-5100
Camera Format: Compact Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $149.99 $699.99
Street Price:   $348.00
Date Available: 2008-03-30 2014-09-01
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 7.9 oz (225 g)
includes batteries
14.1 oz (399 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 3.7 x 2.6 x 1.6 in.
(94 x 66 x 41 mm)
4.3 x 2.5 x 1.4 in.
(110 x 63 x 36 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 8.0 24.3
Sensor Format: 1/2.5 inch APS-C
Sensor size: 24.7104mm2 (5.76mm x 4.29mm) 366.6mm2 (23.50mm x 15.60mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.76 microns 3.92 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 16:9 3:2
Color Filter Type:   RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:   Fixed
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No Yes
DxO Sensor Score:   80
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):   23.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):   12.7
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):   1,347
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
3264 x 1832 (6.0 MP, 16:9),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP, 3:2),
6000 x 3376 (20.3 MP, 16:9),
4240 x 2832 (12.0 MP, 3:2),
4240 x 2400 (10.2 MP, Other),
3008 x 2000 (6.0 MP, 3:2),
3008 x 1688 (5.1 MP, 16:9),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other),
2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2) JPEG (EXIF 2.3), RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 1.0 6.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 640x480 (20)
320x240 (30)
160x120 (15)
1920x1080 (60p/​60i/​30p/​24p)
1440x1080 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) XAVC S / AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Stereo Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a Sony E
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens (7 elements in 5 groups, 2 aspherical) Sony SELP1650 PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS; 9 elements in 8 groups, 4 aspheric surfaces
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 35 - 140mm 24 - 75mm
Focal Length (actual): 5.8 - 23.2mm 16 - 50mm
Zoom Ratio: 4.00x 3.13x
Aperture Range: f/2.6 or f/7.1 (wide) / f/5.5 or f/14.0 (tele) f/3.5 - f/22 (W) / f/5.6 - f/36 (T); 7-blade circular aperture
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 45 cm to Infinity
17.7 in to Infinity
25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 5 - 45 cm
2.0 - 17.7 in
 
Filter Thread: n/a 40.5mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: up to 4x Up to 4x; up to 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9- or 1-point Contrast Detect with Face Detect Hybrid Contrast/Phase Detection: 179-point PDAF, 25-point CDAF, Center, Flexible Spot (S/M/L), Zone
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: Real-image optical zoom  
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.5 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 115,000 dots 921,600 dots (230,400 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 16.7x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   25600
Minimum ISO (native):   100
ISO Settings: Auto, High ISO Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom Auto WB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (Warm white/Cool white/Day white/Daylight), Flash, Underwater, C. Temp 2500 to 9900K, C Filter G7 to M7 (15-step), Custom, AWB micro adjustment
Shutter Speed Range: 1/2000 - 15 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: No Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot Metering (frame is fixed to the center), Face Detect 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: No Yes
Shutter Priority: No Yes
Full Manual Exposure: No Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Night Snapshot, Kids & Pets, Indoor, Night Scene, Sunset, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Aquarium Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, Anti Motion Blur, HDR, Sweep Panorama
Self Timer: 1 to 30 seconds 2 , 10, 10 (3 or 5 frames) seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Flash On, Flash Off Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 4.0 m / 13.1 ft.
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 11 ft./3.5m (W), 7.2 ft./2.2m (T) Lens dependent; GN=4 (ISO 100, m)
Max Flash Sync: 1/500 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No Yes
Uncompressed Format:   RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) XAVC S / AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Stereo Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No Yes
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: No Yes
Remote Control Type:   Optional wired or Wi-Fi
Connections (extended): DC Input Micro (Type-D) HDMI, Multi Micro USB
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 1.95 0.55
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):   0.59
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):   Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.56
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 1.0 6.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited 67
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   6.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   25
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   6.0
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   23
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.76 seconds 0.24 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 1.02 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):   0.126 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 2.09 seconds 0.35 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.057 seconds 0.021 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):   Full AF shutter lag, wide-area AF mode = 0.230s
Startup Time: 1.4 seconds 2.0 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 1.2 seconds 1.0 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 10.8 seconds 2.2 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 500 shots (NiMH AA) 400 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: 2 x AA Proprietary NP-FW50
Usable Battery Types: Alkaline disposable, NiMH rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 2 x AA Alkaline disposables 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): No Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: No
Internal Charging Supported: Yes
Software
Included Software: ZoomBrowser EX / ImageBrowser, PhotoStitch, Drivers  
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Motion Detection Technology: Active when using Easy Mode and High-ISO Auto, this feature detects motion in the scene for a more intelligent method of automatically selecting the ISO. If Motion Detection technology senses no motion (static subject), it will choose a lower ISO, and if it senses motion (moving subject), it will select a higher ISO for a faster shutter speed. Available in black or white.