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X-A7 vs A5100

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

Where the X-A7 wins

  • Portrait: 5.9 vs 5.4
  • Wedding & Events: 4.3 vs 3.5
  • Vlogging & Video: 5.3 vs 4.8
  • Documentary: 5.0 vs 4.1

Where the A5100 wins

  • Cheaper new: £102 vs £228
  • Resolution: 24.3MP
  • Battery Life: ~400 shots (CIPA)
  • Weight: 224g (body only)

16 specs side by side·16 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?

X-A7 — Beginner Fujifilm: The most affordable X-mount entry — Fujifilm colour and film simulations with a large flip screen for beginners.

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
X-A7 (2019)
is the right camera for you if…
  • Complete beginners buying their first interchangeable-lens camera
  • Lifestyle and social media photographers who want great colour out of camera
  • Anyone who wants a stylish, approachable Fujifilm at the lowest entry price
  • Vloggers who need a flip screen and simple controls on a tight budget
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 X-A7Fujifilm · 2019A5100Sony · 2014
Price £228 used£102 usedBest
Sensor 24.2MP APS-C CMOS (Bayer, not X-Trans)24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS
Resolution 24.2MP24.3MPBest
Video 4K/30p, 1080p/60p1080p/60p
Autofocus Phase-detect + contrast, 425 pointsHybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection
Stabilisation No stabilisationNo stabilisation
Burst Rate 6fps6fps
Battery Life ~270 shots (CIPA, normal mode)~400 shots (CIPA)Best
Weight 320g (body only)224g (body only)Best
Dimensions 118.0 × 80.6 × 55.2mm109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm
Weather Sealed Not weather sealedNot weather sealed
Viewfinder No viewfinderNo viewfinder
Screen 3.5" fully articulating touchscreen3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots
Mount Fujifilm X-mountSony E-mount
Memory Cards Single SD UHS-I slotSingle SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot
Connectivity USB Micro-B, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, micro HDMIMicro 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
X-A7
A5100
Portrait
5.9/10
5.4/10
Street
6.7/10
7.0/10
Travel
6.0/10
6.4/10
Wedding & Events
4.3/10
3.5/10
Vlogging & Video
5.3/10
4.8/10
Filmmaking
4.7/10
—
Documentary
5.0/10
4.1/10
Sports & Action
4.6/10
4.7/10
Landscape
5.0/10
5.0/10
Wildlife
5.3/10
5.5/10
Casual
5.1/10
5.2/10
Food
6.3/10
5.9/10
Macro
5.2/10
5.2/10
Architecture
5.3/10
5.2/10
Astrophotography
5.0/10
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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