Decision tools · Compare
EOS M50 vs A5100
Quick take: The A5100 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the A5100 is the most affordable.
Where the EOS M50 wins
- Burst Rate: 10fps
- Portrait: 6.1 vs 5.4
- Wedding & Events: 4.7 vs 3.5
- Documentary: 4.8 vs 4.1
- Sports & Action: 5.5 vs 4.7
Where the A5100 wins
- Cheaper new: £102 vs £240
- Resolution: 24.3MP
- Battery Life: ~400 shots (CIPA)
- Weight: 224g (body only)
- Street: 7.0 vs 6.5
16 specs side by side·16 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video, Clifton Cameras, MPB, eBay and Amazon UK
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.
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Size comparedbody only, no lens · drawn to one scale
- EOS M50 116 × 88 × 59 mm · 387 g
- A5100 110 × 63 × 36 mm · 283 g
The A5100 is 6 mm narrower, 25 mm shorter, 23 mm slimmer and 104 g lighter than the EOS M50.
Drawn to scale from the makers' dimensions (W × H × D). Front shown, depth on the slanted edge.
Verdictwhich should you buy?
EOS M50 — Casual & Vlogging: The EOS M50 is the most complete-feeling entry-level EF-M camera — built-in EVF, fully articulating screen, Dual Pixel AF, and a well-designed compact body. Its 4K video carries a significant crop and loses Dual Pixel AF, making 1080p the practical option — but for stills and casual video, it remains an excellent used-market 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
EOS M50 (2018)
is the right camera for you if…
- Beginner photographers who want an EVF in a compact mirrorless
- Vloggers who want face-tracking AF and a flip screen
- Students stepping up to their first mirrorless camera
- Used-market shoppers wanting a well-rounded EF-M package
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 M50Canon · 2018 | A5100Sony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £240 used | £102 usedBest |
| Sensor | 24.1MP APS-C CMOS (Dual Pixel) | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.1MP | 24.3MPBest |
| Video | 4K/24p (crop, no Dual Pixel AF), 1080p/60p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF with face and subject detection | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | — | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 10fpsBest | 6fps |
| Battery Life | ~235 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 387g (body only) | 224g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 116.3 × 88.1 × 58.7mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.39" type | No viewfinder |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Canon EF-M mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC | Micro 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 M50
A5100
Portrait
6.1/10
5.4/10
Street
6.5/10
7.0/10
Travel
5.8/10
6.4/10
Wedding & Events
4.7/10
3.5/10
Vlogging & Video
5.2/10
4.8/10
Filmmaking
4.6/10
—
Documentary
4.8/10
4.1/10
Sports & Action
5.5/10
4.7/10
Landscape
4.8/10
5.0/10
Wildlife
5.4/10
5.5/10
Casual
5.5/10
5.2/10
Food
6.2/10
5.9/10
Macro
4.8/10
5.2/10
Architecture
5.0/10
5.2/10
Astrophotography
4.3/10
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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