Fujifilm X-A3 vs Sony a5100 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Fujifilm · Mirrorless · 24 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Fujifilm X-A3
59
SCORE
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 24.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony a5100
60
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Fujifilm X-A3 and the Sony a5100 are both compact mirrorless cameras built around APS-C sensors, well suited to everyday and travel shooting. Each hands you a small interchangeable-lens body rather than a bulkier DSLR. The Sony a5100 is the smaller and lighter body, measuring 110 x 63 x 36 mm and weighing 283 g, against 117 x 67 x 40 mm and 339 g for the X-A3. For keeping a bag light on long days out, that 56 g saving favours the Sony. The X-A3 arrived in 2016, two years after the a5100. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2016 | 2014 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 25, 2016 | August 18, 2014 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 117 x 67 x 40 mm | 110 x 63 x 36 mm |
| Camera weight | 339 g | 283 g |
| Optics | 63/100 | 66/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsPrint sizes and cropping room are effectively equal here, with 24 MP on the X-A3 and 24.3 MP on the a5100. Both use APS-C CMOS sensors, both shoot at 6 fps, and both cap the shutter at 1/4000 second. Neither has a viewfinder or in-body stabilisation, so you compose on the rear screen and steady handheld frames with shutter speed or a stabilised lens. The Sony a5100 is the stronger choice for autofocus coverage, with 179 AF points against 77 on the X-A3. Its native ISO range also runs from 100 to 25600, while the X-A3 covers 200 to 6400 before expansion. Lens mounts differ, so commit to Fujifilm X or Sony E glass from the start. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24 MP050 | 24.3 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6000 x 4000 | 6000 x 4000 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.7 x 23.5 | 15.6 x 23.5 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
6 fps045 | 6 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Fujifilm X | Sony E |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
EXR Processor II | Bionz X |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
20030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
64003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
770300 | 1790300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
None | None |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 56/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFull HD is the shared ceiling for video on both cameras, and both reach a 60 fps maximum frame rate. Casual clips and family footage sit equally within either camera's range, with neither offering 4K or a built-in timelapse mode. The practical difference for editing is file format: the X-A3 records MPEG-4 and MOV, while the a5100 records MP4 and AVI. If your editing software prefers one container, that detail can settle it. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, MOV | MP4, AVI |
| Features | 57/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesBoth cameras centre composition on a 3-inch LCD with touch control, tilting for waist-level and overhead angles, and both offer Wi-Fi for transferring photos to a phone. The X-A3's screen shows 1,040,000 dots against 921,600 on the a5100, a small edge for checking focus and detail while you shoot. The X-A3 is the one to pick if you add light to your photos, because it supports an external flash while the a5100 leaves you with its built-in flash only. Neither body includes GPS for geotagging or weather sealing against dust and moisture. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | No |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 9216001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 24/100 | 24/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryOne SD, SDHC or SDXC card covers storage on both cameras, each in a single slot, and neither charges over USB, so pack a separate charger and a spare battery. The a5100 additionally accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo cards alongside SD. Rated battery life sits almost level, at 410 shots for the X-A3 and 400 for the a5100. The batteries differ, NP-W126S for Fujifilm and NP-FW50 for Sony, so spares are not interchangeable between the two. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-W126S | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
410 shots1505000 | 400 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose by lens system first, because the X-A3 takes Fujifilm X mount lenses and the a5100 takes Sony E, with nothing crossing over. For lightweight travel and moving subjects such as children or street scenes, the a5100's 56 g lighter body and 179 AF points make it the better pick.
If you shoot portraits or indoor gatherings and want to add light, the X-A3 is the only one here that takes an external flash, and its higher-resolution screen helps confirm focus at the moment of capture. Both deliver near-identical resolution, the same 6 fps burst rate and the same Full HD video ceiling, so the differences above should guide the choice.