First Camera / Beginner Photography — EOS R100 (2023): The R100 does the basics well at the lowest possible price point. Its main value is as a gateway into the Canon RF ecosystem — the lenses you buy now will work on any Canon body you upgrade to later. Modest ambitions, reliably met.
Full-Frame Value — Z5 II (2024): The most accessible full-frame mirrorless — dual card slots, weather sealing, and Nikon colour at a sensible price.
Content Creation & Vlogging — A6400 (2019): The best value APS-C Sony you can buy — especially used. Real-time Eye AF at this price point was transformative when it launched and still makes it one of the most reliable autofocus systems in the lineup.
Who should buy what
EOS R100 (2023)
Z5 II (2024)
A6400 (2019)
Quick take: The z5 ii has the highest resolution at 24mp; the eos r100 is the most affordable; only the z5 ii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | EOS R100 (2023) | Z5 II (2024) | A6400 (2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £529 | £1,299 | £899 |
| Sensor | 24.1MP APS-C CMOS | 24.5MP Full-frame BSI CMOS | 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS BSI |
| Resolution | 24.1MP | 24.5MP | 24.2MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (slight crop), 1080p/60p | 4K/30p oversampled, 1080p/120p, N-Log | 4K/30p (6K oversampled, no crop), 1080p/120p slow-motion |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF, face detection, subject tracking | Phase-detect, 273 points, subject detection (human/animal/vehicle) | Phase-detect, 425 points, real-time Eye AF & animal AF |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | 5-axis IBIS, 5.0 stops | None (no IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 6.5fps mechanical | 14fps mechanical, 30fps electronic | 11fps mechanical, 8fps with AF tracking |
| Battery Life | ~270 shots (CIPA) | ~470 shots (CIPA) | ~410 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 356g (body, battery, card) | 700g body only | 403g (body, battery, card) |
| Dimensions | 116.3 × 85.5 × 68.8mm | 134.0 × 100.5 × 69.9mm | 120.0 × 66.9 × 59.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.59× magnification | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.80× magnification | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.70× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 180° flip for selfie/vlog, 921k dots |
| Mount | Canon RF-mount | Nikon Z-mount (full-frame) | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Single SD UHS-I |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C 3.2, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Micro-USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC |
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