Decision tools · Compare
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K vs A5100
Quick take: The A5100 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the A5100 is the most affordable.
Different kinds of camera — their specs aren't comparable, so read the rows as facts, not a contest.
36 specs side by side·15 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
Verdictwhich should you buy?
A5100 — Casual & Travel: The A5100 is one of the smallest APS-C mirrorless cameras ever made. Its 24MP sensor, phase-detect AF, and selfie-friendly flip screen pack remarkable capability into a shirt-pocket-sized body. No EVF or hot shoe limits it for serious use, but as a compact travel camera or beginner's first mirrorless, it punches well above its price on the used market.
Who should buy what
A5100 (2014)
is the right camera for you if…
- Beginners stepping up from a smartphone
- Compact travel photographers
- Casual vloggers who want APS-C quality
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | Pocket Cinema Camera 4KBlackmagic · 2018 | A5100Sony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £849 | £102 usedBest |
| Sensor | — | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 8.8MP | 24.3MPBest |
| Video | — | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | — | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | — | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | — | 6fps |
| Battery Life | — | ~400 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | — | 224g (body only) |
| Dimensions | — | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | — | No viewfinder |
| Screen | — | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | — | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | — | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
| Sensor | Micro Four Thirds | — |
| Top video | 4K | — |
| 4K frame rate | 60 fps | — |
| Slow motion | 120 fps (HD) | — |
| RAW internal | BRAW, ProRes RAW | — |
| Codecs | Blackmagic RAW, Apple ProRes RAW HQ, Apple ProRes RAW, Apple ProRes 422 HQ, Apple ProRes 422, Apple ProRes 422 LT, Apple ProRes 422 Proxy | — |
| Log | Blackmagic Film Gen 5 | — |
| Built-in ND | None — use lens filters or a matte box | — |
| XLR inputs | 1 | — |
| SDI out | Not on this body | — |
| HDMI | Full-size | — |
| Timecode | Yes | — |
| Dual native ISO | Yes | — |
| Autofocus | Contrast detect only | — |
| Stabilisation | No stabilisation | — |
| Battery | Canon LP-E6 | — |
| Media | CFast + SD + SSD / media module (USB-C) | — |
| Record limit | No limit (cinema camera) | — |
| Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | — |
| Body weight | 722 g | — |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
A5100
Portrait
—
5.4/10
Street
—
7.0/10
Travel
—
6.4/10
Wedding & Events
—
3.5/10
Vlogging & Video
—
4.7/10
Documentary
—
4.1/10
Sports & Action
—
4.7/10
Landscape
—
5.0/10
Wildlife
—
5.5/10
Casual
—
5.2/10
Food
—
5.9/10
Macro
—
5.2/10
Architecture
—
5.2/10
Astrophotography
—
4.7/10
Fun & simple
—
4.9/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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