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Sony Alpha a5000 vs Sony Alpha a5100

Sony Alpha a5000

Sony Alpha a5000

Camera summary

The Sony Alpha a5000, made by Sony, is a powerful Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera. Announced on Jan. 7, 2014.

See full specifications
Feature Score
Autofocus specs
4.1 out of 5 stars
Connectivity
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exposure mode
2.5 out of 5 stars
Photography features
4.3 out of 5 stars
Physical
0.4 out of 5 stars
Average Score
3.3 out of 5 stars

Predecessor

This camera builds on the success of its predecessor, the Sony Alpha NEX-3N, with advanced features and improved performance.

Compare this camera to the Sony Alpha NEX-3N

Successor

This camera has now been superseeded by the Sony Alpha a5100, which has more advanced features and characteristics, it would also be easier to get, especially new. Take that into account.

Aside from that, consider that you may probably need to update your camera soon and finding accesories could be more difficult compared to its successor. Of course you can expect a lower price for this camera as a compensation.

Compare this camera to its successor Sony Alpha a5100

Sensor

This camera has a CMOS sensor with a 20 Megapixels resolution.

Focus points

This camera has 25 focus points. AF Face detection available, ideal for portraits and selfies. It offers AF tracking, which allows you to track moving objects

Max video resolutions

1920 x 1080

Expect recording in 1920 x 1080 with support for the following formats: MPEG-4, AVCHD.

Connectivity

Built-in wireless connectivity. Support for HDMI, so you can connect it to screens, monitors or any compatible device. Support for USB, transfer files and upgrade your camera's software directly from your computer.

Battery life

NP-FW50

The battery of this camera can last up to 420 shots per charge with the included NP-FW50 battery. Consider that this value can fluctuate and depends on the mAh of the battery (sometimes generic batteries have more mAh) and also on the usage, the amount of time you use the screen, the flash, etc.

Although this camera may have a decent battery life, its performance is not as great as the most powerful cameras. Always make sure to carry one extra battery, just in case.

Other features

This camera doesn't include a microphone port, which can be a major headache when recording video or interviews, consider it before buying it.

Sony Alpha a5100

Sony Alpha a5100

Camera summary

The Sony Alpha a5100, made by Sony, is a powerful Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera. Announced on Aug. 17, 2014.

See full specifications
Feature Score
Autofocus specs
5.0 out of 5 stars
Connectivity
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exposure mode
2.5 out of 5 stars
Photography features
4.3 out of 5 stars
Physical
0.4 out of 5 stars
Average Score
3.4 out of 5 stars

Predecessor

This camera builds on the success of its predecessor, the Sony Alpha a5000, with advanced features and improved performance.

Compare this camera to the Sony Alpha a5000

Sensor

This camera has a CMOS sensor with a 24 Megapixels resolution.

Focus points

This camera has 179 focus points. AF Face detection available, ideal for portraits and selfies. It offers AF tracking, which allows you to track moving objects

Max video resolutions

1920 x 1080

Expect recording in 1920 x 1080 with support for the following formats: MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S.

Connectivity

Built-in wireless connectivity. Support for HDMI, so you can connect it to screens, monitors or any compatible device. Support for USB, transfer files and upgrade your camera's software directly from your computer.

Battery life

NP-FW50

The battery of this camera can last up to 400 shots per charge with the included NP-FW50 battery. Consider that this value can fluctuate and depends on the mAh of the battery (sometimes generic batteries have more mAh) and also on the usage, the amount of time you use the screen, the flash, etc.

Although this camera may have a decent battery life, its performance is not as great as the most powerful cameras. Always make sure to carry one extra battery, just in case.

Other features

This camera doesn't include a microphone port, which can be a major headache when recording video or interviews, consider it before buying it.

Autofocus specs

Sony Alpha a5000 Sony Alpha a5100
Af center
Yes
Yes
Af continuous
Yes
Yes
Af Contrast Detection
Yes
Yes
Af Face detection
Yes
Yes
Af live view
Yes
Yes
Af multi area
Yes
Yes
Af phase detection
No
Yes
Af selective
Yes
Yes
Af single
Yes
Yes
Af touch
No
Yes
Af tracking
Yes
Yes
Number of cross focus points - -
Number of focus points 25 179

Connectivity

Sony Alpha a5000 Sony Alpha a5100
HDMI
Yes
Yes
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
Wireless connectivity Built-In Built-In
DXO color depth 23.8 23.8
DXO dynamic range 13.0 12.7
DXO low light ISO 1089.0 1347.0
DXO overall score 79.0 80.0

Exposure mode

Sony Alpha a5000 Sony Alpha a5100
AF area
No
No
average
No
No
Center weighted
Yes
Yes
Multi segment
Yes
Yes
partial
No
No
spot
Yes
Yes

General

Sony Alpha a5000 Sony Alpha a5100
AKA - -
announced Jan. 7, 2014 Aug. 17, 2014
Body type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
brand Sony Sony
msrp $329.95 $444.50
model Sony Alpha a5000 Sony Alpha a5100
Predecessor model Sony Alpha NEX-3N Sony Alpha a5000
Successor model Sony Alpha a5100

Lense

Sony Alpha a5000 Sony Alpha a5100
Focal length multiplier 1.5x 1.5x
Lens mount Sony E Sony E
Manual focus
Yes
Yes
Macro focus range - -
Number of lenses 284 284

Other features

Sony Alpha a5000 Sony Alpha a5100
GPS - -
Self-timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot))
Storage slots 1 1
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Timelapse recording
No
No

Photography features

Sony Alpha a5000 Sony Alpha a5100
AE bracketing
Yes
Yes
Aperture priority
Yes
Yes
Built-in flash
Yes
Yes
Custom white balance
Yes
Yes
Exposure compensation
Yes
Yes
External flash
No
No
Flash modes Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction Flash off, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction
Flash range 4.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Image stabilization
No
No
Manual exposure mode
Yes
Yes
Max continuous shooting 4.0 fps 6.0 fps
Max mechanical shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Minimum shutter speed 30 30
Shutter priority
Yes
Yes
WB bracketing
Yes
Yes

Physical

Sony Alpha a5000 Sony Alpha a5100
Battery life 420 shots 400 shots
Battery model NP-FW50 NP-FW50
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Crush proof
No
No
Dust proof
No
No
Environmental sealing
No
No
Freeze proof
No
No
Physical dimensions 110 x 63 x 36mm 110 x 63 x 36mm
Shock proof
No
No
Water proof
No
No
Weight 269 grs 283 grs

Screen

Sony Alpha a5000 Sony Alpha a5100
Live view
Yes
Yes
Screen resolution 461 922
Screen size - -
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Touch screen
No
Yes

Sensor

Sony Alpha a5000 Sony Alpha a5100
Max boosted ISO - -
Max image resolution 5456 x 3632 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 16000 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Yes
Yes
Sensor area - -
Sensor dimensions 23.2 x 15.4 mm 23.5 x 15.6 mm
Sensor resolution 20 24
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor type CMOS CMOS

Headphone port

Sony Alpha a5000 Sony Alpha a5100
Headphone port
No
No
Max video resolution 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080
Microphone port
No
No
Video formats MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i/24p), 1440 x 1080 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (120p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)

Viewfinder

Sony Alpha a5000 Sony Alpha a5100
viewfinder - -
viewfinder coverage - -
viewfinder magnification - -
viewfinder resolution no electronic viewfinder no electronic viewfinder