Sony A5100 vs Fujifilm X30

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony A5100 vs Fujifilm X30

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A5100 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A5100 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A5100.
Compare Sony A5100 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A5100 conclusion.

2/3 inch 58.1mm²
12.0 megapixels
28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Fujifilm X30 Review.
How does it shoot? Fujifilm X30 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the X30.
Compare Fujifilm X30 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Fujifilm X30 conclusion.

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Differences

Sony A5100 advantages over Fujifilm X30

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 2/3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.92 vs 2.20 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Thinner
35 mm vs 60 mm
Thinner
More pixels
24.3 vs 12.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Bigger JPEG buffer
67 vs 15 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
25 vs 11 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Fujifilm X30 advantages over Sony A5100

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
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher max flash sync
1/1000 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Higher-res screen
307k vs 230k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Doesn't require an AA filter
Yes vs No
A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré
Faster JPEG shooting
11.4 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

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
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
On-sensor phase detect
Both provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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

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
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A5100 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read X30 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A5100

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Buy the Fujifilm X30

Fuji X30 (Silver)

Fuji X30 (Silver)
Fuji X30 (Black)

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.
Read our Sony A5100 Review

Excellent image quality for its class; Very good optical performance from the bright f/2-2.8 4x lens; Quick autofocus, even in very low light; Fast burst modes; EVF fixes the flaws of optical viewfinder in X20; Tilting high-res LCD screen; Excellent feel in the hands; Very good battery life.
Top shutter speed is only 1/1000s when lens is wide open; No built-in ND filter; 28mm eq. may not be wide enough for some; Shallow buffer depths; Default NR processing a bit heavy-handed.
Read our Fujifilm X30 Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X10

Sony A5100

Fujifilm X10

$348
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$599
2/3 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A5100 vs Fujifilm X10

Fujifilm X30

Fujifilm X10

$499
2/3 inch

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

$599
2/3 inch

Compare Fujifilm X30 vs Fujifilm X10

Compared to Fujifilm X20

Sony A5100

Fujifilm X20

$348
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$499
2/3 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A5100 vs Fujifilm X20

Fujifilm X30

Fujifilm X20

$499
2/3 inch

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$499
2/3 inch

Compare Fujifilm X30 vs Fujifilm X20

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sony A5100

Samsung NX1100

$348
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$450
APS-C

Higher-res screen
Hot shoe

Compare Sony A5100 vs Samsung NX1100

Fujifilm X30

Samsung NX1100

$499
2/3 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$450
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Fujifilm X30 vs Samsung NX1100

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Sony A5100

Sony NEX-5T

$348
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

$299
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Higher-res screen

Compare Sony A5100 vs Sony NEX-5T

Fujifilm X30

Sony NEX-5T

$499
2/3 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$299
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Fujifilm X30 vs Sony NEX-5T

Compared to Sony A5000

Sony A5100

Sony A5000

$348
APS-C

Touchscreen
Higher effective ISO

$298
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Sony A5100 vs Sony A5000

Fujifilm X30

Sony A5000

$499
2/3 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$298
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Fujifilm X30 vs Sony A5000

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