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EOS 70D vs A5100

Quick take: The A5100 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the EOS 70D is the most affordable.

16 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 EOS 70DCanon · 2013A5100Sony · 2014
Price £68Best£200
Sensor 20.2MP APS-C CMOS24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS
Resolution 20.2MP24.3MPBest
Video Full HD 1080p/30, 720p/601080p/60p
Autofocus 19-point all cross-type phase-detect via viewfinder; first Dual Pixel CMOS AF with face tracking in live viewHybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection
Stabilisation No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only)No stabilisation
Burst Rate 7fpsBest6fps
Battery Life ~920 shots (CIPA)Best~400 shots (CIPA)
Weight 755g (with battery)224g (body only)Best
Dimensions 139 × 104.3 × 78.5mm109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm
Weather Sealed Not weather sealedNot weather sealed
Viewfinder Optical pentaprism, 98% coverage, 0.95xNo viewfinder
Screen 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 1.04M dots3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots
Mount Canon EF / EF-SSony E-mount
Memory Cards Single SD slotSingle SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot
Connectivity USB 2.0, mini HDMI, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic jack, E3 remoteMicro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC

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
EOS 70D
A5100
Portrait
5.8/10
5.4/10
Street
5.3/10
7.0/10
Travel
4.8/10
6.4/10
Wedding & Events
4.9/10
3.5/10
Vlogging & Video
3.6/10
4.7/10
Documentary
4.2/10
4.1/10
Sports & Action
5.3/10
4.7/10
Landscape
4.7/10
5.0/10
Wildlife
5.7/10
5.5/10
Casual
3.7/10
5.2/10
Food
5.5/10
5.9/10
Macro
4.6/10
5.2/10
Architecture
5.3/10
5.2/10
Astrophotography
5.2/10
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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