• APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 12.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400

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Differences

Sony A5000 advantages over Sony A7S II

  • Less expensive
    $298 vs $2398*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Fast startup
    ~2.00 vs 2.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 60 mm
    Thinner
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 12.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Sony A7S II advantages over Sony A5000

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • 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
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 8.40 vs 4.25 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,993 vs 1,089 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.19 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
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 3.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    63 vs 15 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    5.0 fps vs 2.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    28 vs 9 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    409600 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
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A5000

Review Excerpt

  • Comfortable and surprisingly compact camera body; Improved low light performance; Built-in image stabilization; Wide range of usable ISOs; More sophisticated autofocus performance; Excellent video capabilities.

  • Relatively low resolution; Mediocre continuous shooting performance; No built-in flash; No losslessly compressed RAW option.

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
Sony A7S II
Samsung NX1100
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Thinner
  • More 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
Sony A7S II
Sony NEX-5T
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Sony A7S

Sony A5000
Sony A7S
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony A7S II
Sony A7S
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Sony A5100

Sony A5000
Sony A5100
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
Sony A7S II
Sony A5100
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Sony A9

Sony A5000
Sony A9
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $3147
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony A7S II
Sony A9
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $3147
  • 35mm
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
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