Decision tools · Compare
GFX 50S II vs A5100
Quick take: The GFX 50S II has the highest resolution at 51MP; the A5100 is the most affordable; only the GFX 50S II is weather sealed.
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.
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
GFX 50S II — Studio & Portrait Specialists: Medium format quality at the most accessible price ever — 51MP detail and tonal richness no APS-C or full-frame body can replicate.
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
GFX 50S II (2021)
is the right camera for you if…
- Photographers stepping into medium format for the first time
- Landscape and commercial shooters who want 51MP at an accessible medium-format price
- Studio photographers upgrading from full-frame who want a resolution jump
- GFX system buyers who want IBIS and medium-format quality without GFX 100S II pricing
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 | GFX 50S IIFujifilm · 2021 | A5100Sony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,929 | £102 usedBest |
| Sensor | 51.4MP Medium Format GFX 44×33mm BSI CMOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 51.4MPBest | 24.3MP |
| Video | 1080p/30p only | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, 425 points, face and eye detection | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 6.5 stops | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 3fps | 6fpsBest |
| Battery Life | ~455 shots (CIPA, normal mode)Best | ~400 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 900g (body only) | 224g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 150.0 × 104.2 × 87.2mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | YesBest | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.77× magnification | No viewfinder |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Fujifilm G-mount (medium format) | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | 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
GFX 50S II
A5100
Portrait
7.0/10
5.4/10
Street
5.2/10
7.0/10
Travel
5.2/10
6.4/10
Wedding & Events
6.7/10
3.5/10
Documentary
5.7/10
4.1/10
Sports & Action
4.2/10
4.7/10
Landscape
7.8/10
5.0/10
Wildlife
4.4/10
5.5/10
Casual
3.9/10
5.2/10
Food
6.9/10
5.9/10
Macro
6.5/10
5.2/10
Architecture
8.2/10
5.2/10
Astrophotography
6.0/10
4.7/10
Vlogging & Video
—
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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