• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Sony A5100 advantages over Sony A6400

  • Less expensive
    $448 vs $848
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 59 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    399g vs 519g
    Lighter weight

Sony A6400 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
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    5 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • 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
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.23 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.1 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    42 vs 25 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A5100

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A6400

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 Samsung NX1100

Sony A5100
Samsung NX1100
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe
Sony A6400
Samsung NX1100
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Thinner

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
Sony A6400
Sony NEX-5T
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony A5000

Sony A5100
Sony A5000
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
Sony A6400
Sony A5000
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Fujifilm X-T100

Sony A5100
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony A6400
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Fast startup
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Sony A6100

Sony A5100
Sony A6100
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
Sony A6400
Sony A6100
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
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