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

Buy From

Differences

Sony NEX-5T advantages over Sony A5100

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.78 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Sony A5100 advantages over Sony NEX-5T

  • Higher effective ISO
    1,347 vs 1,015 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    67 vs 11 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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

  • 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

Buy From

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 Samsung NX1000

Sony NEX-5T
Samsung NX1000
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
Sony A5100
Samsung NX1000
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Sony NEX-3N

Sony NEX-5T
Sony NEX-3N
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
Sony A5100
Sony NEX-3N
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sony NEX-5T
Samsung NX1100
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels
Sony A5100
Samsung NX1100
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Fujifilm X-A1

Sony NEX-5T
Fujifilm X-A1
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
Sony A5100
Fujifilm X-A1
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher-res screen

Compared to Sony A5000

Sony NEX-5T
Sony A5000
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash
Sony A5100
Sony A5000
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
Compare Other Cameras?