EOS R8vs A5100
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Full-Frame Entry — EOS R8 (2023): Canon's most affordable full-frame mirrorless — 4K/60p 10-bit and class-leading Dual Pixel AF at an accessible entry price.
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 R8 (2023)
- Photographers wanting full-frame image quality at the lowest RF price
- EOS RP owners upgrading to better autofocus and modern video specs
- Beginners who want to start on full-frame without overspending
- Travel photographers who want a lightweight full-frame RF body
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 R8 (2023) | A5100 (2014) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,099 | £200 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-frame BSI CMOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 24.3MP |
| Video | 4K/60p oversampled 10-bit, FHD/180p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, 1053 zones, eye/face/subject tracking | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | None |
| Burst Rate | 6fps mechanical, 40fps electronic | 6fps |
| Battery Life | ~220 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 461g body only | 224g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 132.5 × 86.1 × 70.0mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.59× | None |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Canon RF mount (full-frame) | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II slot | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | EOS R8 | A5100 |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Street | ||
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Landscape | ||
| Sports & Action | ||
| Casual | — | |
| Travel | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
More comparisons with EOS R8
Camera family history