Decision tools · Compare
Q vs A5100
Quick take: The A5100 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the A5100 is the most affordable.
Where the Q wins
- Burst Rate: 10fps
- Astrophotography: 5.5 vs 4.7
Where the A5100 wins
- Cheaper new: £102 vs £1,268
- Resolution: 24.3MP
- Battery Life: ~400 shots (CIPA)
- Weight: 224g (body only)
- Portrait: 5.4 vs 3.2
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?
Q — Street, Travel & Fine Art Photography: The camera that redefined luxury compact photography — a full-frame sensor, the finest 28mm compact lens available, and a shooting feel that is uniquely Leica.
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
Q (2015)
is the right camera for you if…
- Street and documentary photographers who want a full-frame fixed-lens camera with iconic character
- Travel photographers who want the finest compact image quality available
- Leica enthusiasts who want an autofocus alternative to the M system
- Photographers who value build quality and shooting experience as much as spec sheets
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 | QLeica · 2015 | A5100Sony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,268 used | £102 usedBest |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 24.3MPBest |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, 49 AF fields, face detection | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | No stabilisation | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 10fpsBest | 6fps |
| Battery Life | ~270 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 640g (with battery and card) | 224g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 130.0 × 80.0 × 93.5mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.68M dots, 0.68× magnification | No viewfinder |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Fixed Leica Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | 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
Q
A5100
Portrait
3.2/10
5.4/10
Street
6.2/10
7.0/10
Travel
4.5/10
6.4/10
Wedding & Events
3.7/10
3.5/10
Documentary
2.9/10
4.1/10
Landscape
4.7/10
5.0/10
Casual
3.2/10
5.2/10
Food
3.8/10
5.9/10
Macro
2.3/10
5.2/10
Architecture
4.7/10
5.2/10
Astrophotography
5.5/10
4.7/10
Vlogging & Video
—
4.8/10
Sports & Action
—
4.7/10
Wildlife
—
5.5/10
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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