• APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 250.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony A5000 advantages over Panasonic ZS100

  • Less expensive
    $298 vs $398*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.25 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,089 vs 559 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 420 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos

Panasonic ZS100 advantages over Sony A5000

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.10 vs 0.30 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.9 fps vs 3.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 15 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.5 fps vs 2.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    14 vs 9 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 16000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A5000

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS100

Review Excerpt

  • Compact camera body; versatile 10x zoom lens; relatively good high ISO performance; fast autofocus; many good 4K video and photo features.

  • Soft lens at longer focal lengths; no tilting display; small electronic viewfinder; slippery finish on the camera body.

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sony A5000
Samsung NX1100
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe
Panasonic ZS100
Samsung NX1100
  • $473
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

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
Panasonic ZS100
Sony NEX-5T
  • $473
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A5100

Sony A5000
Sony A5100
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
Panasonic ZS100
Sony A5100
  • $473
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony RX100 VI

Sony A5000
Sony RX100 VI
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $949
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic ZS100
Sony RX100 VI
  • $473
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $949
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Sony RX100 VII

Sony A5000
Sony RX100 VII
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $1298
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic ZS100
Sony RX100 VII
  • $473
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1298
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Tiltable Screen
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