Sony a5100 vs Sony a6300 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · Mirrorless · 24.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony a5100
60
SCORE
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 24.2 MP · APS-C · 4K video
Sony a6300
61
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony a5100 is the lighter, more compact option at 283 g and 110 x 63 x 36 mm, against 404 g and 120 x 67 x 49 mm for the Sony a6300. Both are mirrorless cameras for the Sony E mount, released in 2014 and 2016 respectively. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2014 | 2016 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 18, 2014 | February 3, 2016 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 110 x 63 x 36 mm | 120 x 67 x 49 mm |
| Camera weight | 283 g | 404 g |
| Optics | 66/100 | 68/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe a6300 is the stronger choice for action photography. It shoots at 11 fps against 6 fps on the a5100, and its 425 autofocus points more than double the a5100's 179, helping you keep a moving subject covered across the frame. Resolution is effectively shared at 24.3 and 24.2 megapixels, on APS-C CMOS sensors with the same Bionz X processor. The a6300 adds an electronic viewfinder with 2,359,296 dots for eye-level shooting, while the a5100 has none. Native ISO runs 100 to 25600 on both, and neither offers in-body stabilisation. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.3 MP050 | 24.2 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. |
15.6 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 | 11 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. |
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 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 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. |
256003003280000 | 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 | 512003003280000 |
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. |
1790300 | 4250300 |
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 | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 235929609900000 |
| Video | 56/100 | 91/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe a6300 is the better video camera, recording in 4K, which leaves room to crop or reframe on a Full HD timeline, while the a5100 tops out at Full HD. For slow motion, its maximum frame rate of 120 fps doubles the a5100's 60 fps. It also offers a built-in timelapse mode and records in XAVC S among its formats, while the a5100 uses MP4 and AVI. | ||
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 |  4K |
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 | 3840 x 2160 |
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 | 120 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. |
No |  Yes |
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, AVI | MPEG-4, XAVC S, AVCHD Ver. 2.0, H.264 |
| Features | 54/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe a6300 is better prepared for outdoor and flash work, offering weather sealing and support for an external flash, neither of which the a5100 has. The a5100 answers with a touch-sensitive screen for quick focus placement, which the a6300 lacks. Both cameras offer a 3-inch flip-out LCD with 921,600 dots, a built-in flash, live view and Wi-Fi, and both omit GPS and Bluetooth. | ||
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. |
No |  Yes |
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. |
No |  Yes |
| 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 | No |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9216001150001500000 | 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 BatteryThe two cameras share their power and storage basics. Both use the NP-FW50 battery, rated for 400 shots, with a single card slot and no USB charging. The a5100 additionally accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo cards alongside SD types, while the a6300 takes SD, SDHC and SDXC alone. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| 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. |
400 shots1505000 | 400 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the a6300 if you photograph sport, wildlife or children on the move, or shoot video seriously. Its 11 fps burst, 425 autofocus points, 4K recording, electronic viewfinder, weather sealing and external flash support all serve those uses. Choose the a5100 for casual everyday shooting, where touch control and a lighter, smaller body matter more. Its flip-out touch screen still handles Full HD vlogging and self-framed shots well.