EOS R100vs A5100
Canon
EOS R100 (2023)
Starting from £529 new
Best for First camera / beginner photography
View EOS R100
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
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.
Casual & Travel — A5100 (2014): 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 R100 (2023)
- First-time camera buyers stepping up from a smartphone
- Students and hobbyists wanting an affordable starting point
- Anyone who wants to start investing in Canon RF glass on a budget
- Casual photographers who don't need advanced video or speed
A5100 (2014)
- Beginners stepping up from a smartphone
- Compact travel photographers
- Casual vloggers who want APS-C quality
Quick take: The a5100 has the highest resolution at 24mp; the a5100 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | EOS R100 (2023) | A5100 (2014) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £529 | £200 |
| Sensor | 24.1MP APS-C CMOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.1MP | 24.3MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (slight crop), 1080p/60p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF, face detection, subject tracking | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | None |
| Burst Rate | 6.5fps mechanical | 6fps |
| Battery Life | ~270 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 356g (body, battery, card) | 224g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 116.3 × 85.5 × 68.8mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.59× magnification | None |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Canon RF-mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | EOS R100 | A5100 |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Travel | ||
| Street | ||
| Video | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Casual | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Sports & Action | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history