Decision tools · Compare
M11 vs A5100
Quick take: The M11 has the highest resolution at 60MP; the A5100 is the most affordable; only the M11 is weather sealed.
Where the M11 wins
- Resolution: 60.0MP
- Battery Life: 700 shots (CIPA)
- Weather Sealed: Yes
- Landscape: 7.0 vs 5.0
- Architecture: 6.6 vs 5.2
Where the A5100 wins
- Cheaper new: £102 vs £8,200
- Burst Rate: 6fps
- Weight: 224g (body only)
- Street: 7.0 vs 5.8
- Travel: 6.4 vs 5.6
16 specs side by side·15 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
- M11 139 × 80 × 38 mm · 640 g
- A5100 110 × 63 × 36 mm · 283 g
The A5100 is 29 mm narrower, 17 mm shorter, 2 mm slimmer and 357 g lighter than the M11.
Drawn to scale from the makers' dimensions (W × H × D). Front shown, depth on the slanted edge.
Verdictwhich should you buy?
M11 — Rangefinder Enthusiasts & Collectors: 60MP of full-frame resolution in the thinnest digital M ever made — the M11 is the definitive expression of Leica's rangefinder tradition.
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
M11 (2022)
is the right camera for you if…
- Rangefinder photographers who want the pinnacle of the M system
- M10-R owners upgrading to the BSI sensor and simplified base plate
- Collectors and enthusiasts who want the most refined digital Leica M ever made
- Photographers who want to slow down and shoot with intention
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 | M11Leica · 2022 | A5100Sony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £8,200 | £102 usedBest |
| Sensor | 60MP full-frame BSI CMOS (Tri-resolution: 60/36/18MP) | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 60.0MPBest | 24.3MP |
| Video | No video | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Manual focus only (rangefinder coupled) | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | No stabilisation | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 4.5fps | 6fpsBest |
| Battery Life | 700 shots (CIPA)Best | ~400 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 530g (body only) | 224g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 138.6 × 80.0 × 38.5mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | YesBest | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | Optical rangefinder (0.73× magnification) | No viewfinder |
| Screen | 2.3" fixed TFT LCD | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Leica M-mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II slot + 64GB internal storage | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | 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
M11
A5100
Portrait
5.2/10
5.4/10
Street
5.8/10
7.0/10
Travel
5.6/10
6.4/10
Wedding & Events
3.2/10
3.5/10
Documentary
2.7/10
4.1/10
Sports & Action
2.3/10
4.7/10
Landscape
7.0/10
5.0/10
Wildlife
2.4/10
5.5/10
Casual
2.4/10
5.2/10
Food
4.9/10
5.9/10
Macro
3.7/10
5.2/10
Architecture
6.6/10
5.2/10
Astrophotography
5.8/10
4.7/10
Vlogging & Video
—
4.8/10
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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