• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.5 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Samsung NX Mini advantages over Sony A5100

  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 530 vs 400 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 35 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    269g vs 399g
    Lighter weight
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony A5100 advantages over Samsung NX Mini

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    230k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Less shutter lag
    0.23 vs 0.35 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 20.5 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    67 vs 11 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    25 vs 5 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • 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

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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 Nikon J3

Samsung NX Mini
Nikon J3
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • On-sensor phase detect
Sony A5100
Nikon J3
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Slow-motion videos

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Samsung NX Mini
Samsung NX1100
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sony A5100
Samsung NX1100
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Sony A5000

Samsung NX Mini
Sony A5000
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony A5100
Sony A5000
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compared to Nikon J4

Samsung NX Mini
Nikon J4
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Higher-res screen
Sony A5100
Nikon J4
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Higher-res screen
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Nikon J5

Samsung NX Mini
Nikon J5
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • On-sensor phase detect
Sony A5100
Nikon J5
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Higher-res screen
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