Sony a5100 vs Sony NEX-5T — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · Mirrorless · 24.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony a5100
60
WINNER
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 16.1 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony NEX-5T
53
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony a5100 and the Sony NEX-5T are compact mirrorless cameras for everyday and travel photography, released a year apart. The a5100 arrived in 2014, the NEX-5T in 2013. Their bodies measure almost the same, 110 x 63 x 36 mm for the a5100 against 111 x 59 x 39 mm for the NEX-5T. The NEX-5T weighs 276 g, seven grams less than the a5100 at 283 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2014 | 2013 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 18, 2014 | August 27, 2013 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 110 x 63 x 36 mm | 111 x 59 x 39 mm |
| Camera weight | 283 g | 276 g |
| Optics | 66/100 | 55/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe a5100 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and large prints, because its 24.3-megapixel sensor records more pixels than the 16.1-megapixel sensor in the NEX-5T. Its 179 autofocus points also spread coverage across more of the frame than the 99 on the NEX-5T, helping with off-centre subjects. The a5100 pairs its sensor with the newer Bionz X processor, while the NEX-5T uses the earlier Bionz design. The NEX-5T is the better pick for action sequences, shooting at 10 frames per second against 6 on the a5100. Both use the Sony E mount, so either body takes the same native lenses. Both cover a native ISO range of 100 to 25600. Neither has in-body stabilisation or a built-in viewfinder, so framing relies on the rear screen. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.3 MP050 | 16.1 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 | 4912 x 3264 |
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 23.4 |
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 | 10 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 |
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 |  4:3 |
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 | 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. |
1790300 | 990300 |
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 ComparisonVideoAnyone shooting casual clips in Full HD gets the same capability from either camera. Both record Full HD at up to 60 frames per second, with no 4K or fast slow-motion option on either body. The practical difference is file handling. The a5100 records in MP4 and AVI, while the NEX-5T records in MPEG-4, so match the camera to your editing software. Neither offers a built-in timelapse mode, so interval work needs external triggering. | ||
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. |
MP4, AVI | MPEG-4 |
| Features | 54/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe flash setup is the useful difference here. The a5100 has a built-in flash, ready for dim interiors without extra gear, while the NEX-5T instead supports an external flash for more power and bounce control. Both offer a 3-inch, 921,600-dot tilting LCD with touch control, which makes low-angle and selfie framing straightforward. Both include Wi-Fi for wireless transfer, and both lack GPS, Bluetooth and weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | No |
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
| 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. |
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 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe a5100 holds the advantage for a long day out, with a rated 400 shots per charge against 330 for the NEX-5T. Both use the same NP-FW50 battery, so spares are interchangeable between the two bodies. Storage is identical too, with a single slot on each accepting SD, SDHC and SDXC cards plus Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media. Neither camera supports USB charging, so the battery needs a dedicated charger. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG 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. |
400 shots1505000 | 330 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The a5100 is the better buy for most photographers. Its 24.3-megapixel sensor gives more room to crop distant wildlife or print large, and its 179 autofocus points cover off-centre subjects. The built-in flash handles dim interiors. Choose the NEX-5T for rapid sequences, since its 10 frames per second outpaces the a5100's 6, or for external flash control from the start.