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Sony a5000 vs a5100 Comparison

Optics
Video
Features
Storage & Battery

Sony a5000

Sony A5000
51%

Sony a5100

Sony A5100
Winner!
60%
Sony a5000
vs
Sony a5100
Price
Brand
Sony
Sony
Model
a5000
a5100
Released
Refers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale.
2014
2014
Announcement Date
Refers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera.
January 07, 2014
August 18, 2014
Camera Type
Mirrorless
Mirrorless
Camera Size
Camera Weight

The Sony a5100 emerges as the winner with a score of 60/100, while the Sony a5000 trails with a score of 51/100. Both cameras share some common specifications, such as being mirrorless and having the same dimensions (110 x 63 x 36mm). They were also both released in 2014, with the a5100 being announced in August and the a5000 in January.

The a5100 outperforms the a5000 due to its higher score, which reflects its overall better features and performance. However, the a5000 does have a slight advantage in terms of weight, being lighter at 269g compared to the a5100’s 283g. This could be a deciding factor for users who prioritize portability.

When considering the price, the a5100 is slightly more expensive at $550 compared to the a5000’s $500. Despite this, the a5100’s superior features and performance justify its higher price. Therefore, the Sony a5100 is the better choice for those seeking a more advanced camera, while the Sony a5000 may be suitable for users who value a lighter and more affordable option.

Sony a5000 vs a5100 Overview and Optics

The Sony a5100 outperforms the Sony a5000 in optics, scoring 66/100 compared to the a5000’s 60/100. Both cameras share several specifications, including a CMOS sensor type, Bionz X processor, APS-C sensor size, Sony E lens mount, and the absence of image stabilization.

The a5100’s superiority stems from its higher 24.3-megapixel count, compared to the a5000’s 20 megapixels. This increase in megapixels allows for more detailed and higher resolution photos. Additionally, the a5100 boasts a faster shooting speed of 6 frames per second, doubling the a5000’s 3.5 frames per second. This makes the a5100 more suitable for capturing fast-moving subjects or action shots. Moreover, the a5100 has a marginally better DXOMARK sensor score of 80, compared to the a5000’s 79, indicating a slightly better overall sensor performance.

On the other hand, the a5000 still holds its own in certain aspects. Its lower megapixel count may result in marginally faster processing times and smaller file sizes, which could benefit photographers with limited storage space or those who prioritize efficiency over maximum resolution.

Taking these factors into account, the Sony a5100 is the clear winner in optics, offering higher resolution images, faster shooting speeds, and slightly better sensor performance. The Sony a5000, while inferior in these aspects, may still appeal to those who prioritize processing speed and smaller file sizes. Ultimately, the choice between the two cameras depends on the specific needs and preferences of the photographer.

Optics
Optics
60%
66%
Megapixels
The higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture.
20 MP
24.3 MP
Image Resolution
Image resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution.
5456 x 3632 px
6000 x 4000 px
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.
15.4 x 23.2 mm
15.6 x 23.5 mm
Sensor Format
Refers to the most commonly used sensor sizes.
APS-C
APS-C
Frame Rate
The number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode.
3.5 fps
6 fps
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.
Sony E
Sony E
Image Processor
The image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card.
Bionz X
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
Minimum ISO (Native)
Refers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image.
100
100
Maximum ISO (Native)
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.
16,000
25,600
Minimum 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.
100
100
Maximum 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.
16000
25600
Minimum Shutter Speed
The minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory.
30 s
30 s
Maximum 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.
1/ 4000 s
1/ 4000 s
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.
25
179
In-body Stabilization
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

Sony a5000 vs a5100 Video Performance

The Sony a5000 emerges as the winner in terms of video capabilities with a score of 70/100, while the Sony a5100 scores 56/100. Both cameras share some common video features, including Full HD video resolution, maximum video dimensions of 1920 x 1080, and a maximum video frame rate of 60fps. However, there are notable differences that set the Sony a5000 apart as the superior option for video recording.

The winning feature of the Sony a5000 is its built-in time-lapse functionality. This allows users to create stunning time-lapse videos without the need for additional software or accessories. This feature alone makes the Sony a5000 a more versatile and convenient option for videographers, especially those interested in capturing the passage of time in their videos.

On the other hand, the Sony a5100 does not offer any notable advantages over the Sony a5000 in terms of video capabilities. Both cameras share the same video resolution, dimensions, and frame rate, leaving the a5100 without any distinct edge in this comparison.

Taking these factors into consideration, the Sony a5000 proves to be the better choice for videographers due to its built-in time-lapse functionality. This feature sets it apart from the Sony a5100 and adds value to the overall video capabilities of the camera. While the Sony a5100 may still be a viable option for video recording, it lacks the versatility and convenience offered by the Sony a5000’s time-lapse feature.

Video
Video
70%
56%
Video
Indicates if this camera is capable of recording video.
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 Dimensions
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 px
1920 x 1080 px
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 p
60 p
Time-Lapse 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.
MP4
MP4, AVI

Sony a5000 vs a5100 Features and Benefits

The Sony a5100 outperforms the Sony a5000 in features, with a score of 54/100 compared to the a5000’s 37/100. Both cameras share some common specifications, such as a 3-inch screen size, the absence of GPS and Bluetooth, and the presence of WiFi connectivity. They also both have flip screens, which are useful for capturing images from various angles and for vlogging.

The a5100 excels in screen resolution and touchscreen capabilities. Its screen resolution is 921,600 dots, which is double that of the a5000’s 460,800 dots. This higher resolution allows for sharper and clearer image previews and menu navigation. The inclusion of a touchscreen in the a5100 further enhances the user experience, making it easier to navigate menus, adjust settings, and select focus points.

While the a5000 has a lower feature score, it does share some of the a5100’s valuable features, such as the flip screen and WiFi connectivity. However, it lacks the higher screen resolution and touchscreen capabilities of the a5100, which puts it at a disadvantage in terms of user experience and image preview quality.

Considering these factors, the Sony a5100 is the better choice for photographers looking for a camera with more advanced features and a higher-quality user experience. The a5000 may still be a viable option for those who prioritize budget and do not require the additional features offered by the a5100. Ultimately, the decision between these two cameras will depend on individual preferences and needs.

Features
Features
37%
54%
Built-in Flash
A built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it.
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.
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.
Screen Size
3"
3"
Screen Resolution
Screen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel.
460,800 dots
921,600 dots
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.
Live View
Live View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens.
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
Bluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices.

Sony a5000 vs a5100 Storage and Battery

The Sony a5000 and Sony a5100 both have a storage and battery score of 24/100, indicating no significant difference in this category. They share common specifications, including one memory card slot each, compatibility with SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, and Memory Stick Pro Duo cards. Both cameras use the NP-FW50 battery type and do not support USB charging.

Despite the identical scores, the Sony a5000 has a slight advantage in battery life, providing 420 shots compared to the Sony a5100’s 400 shots. This gives users more shooting time without needing to recharge or replace the battery. On the other hand, the Sony a5100 accepts Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo cards, offering users additional storage options.

Considering these points, the Sony a5000 offers better battery life, while the Sony a5100 provides more storage flexibility. However, the overall difference in storage and battery performance between these two cameras is minimal, and other factors should be considered when choosing between them.

Storage and Battery
Storage and Battery
24%
24%
Memory Card
SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo
Dual Memory Card Slots
Battery Type
NP-FW50
NP-FW50
Battery Life
Approximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take.
420 shots
400 shots
USB Charging
DXOMARK Scores
Sensor scores tested by DXOMARK
Overall Score
DXOMARK overall sensor score.
79%
80%
Portrait (Color Depth)
As described by DXOMARK 'The Portrait score in our camera sensor reviews defines color depth performance and its unit is a number of bits. A color depth of 22 bits is excellent; differences below 1 bit are barely noticeable.'
23.8 bits
24.4 bits
Landscape (Dynamic Range)
As described by DXOMARK 'The Landscape score in our camera sensor tests defines the maximum dynamic range of the camera sensor and its unit is an exposure value (EV). A value of 12 EV is excellent with differences below 0.5 EV usually not noticeable.'
13 EVs
13.4 EVs
Sports (Low-Light ISO)
Described by DXOMARK as 'The maximal value of ISO sensitivity needed to reach a given value of Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR). The greater the value, the better'
1089
1013
Scores

Alternatives to the Sony a5000 and a5100

Sony a5000 vs a5100 Comparison image.

Are you still undecided about which camera is right for you? Have a look at these popular comparisons that feature the Sony a5000 or the Sony a5100:

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