Qvs A5100
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Street, Travel & Fine Art Photography — Q (2015): 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.
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
Q (2015)
- 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)
- 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 | Q (2015) | A5100 (2014) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,999 | £200 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 24.3MP |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, 49 AF fields, face detection | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | None | None |
| Burst Rate | 10fps | 6fps |
| Battery Life | ~270 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 640g (with battery and card) | 224g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 130.0 × 80.0 × 93.5mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.68M dots, 0.68× magnification | None |
| 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 |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Q | A5100 |
|---|---|---|
| Street | ||
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Wildlife | — | |
| Casual | — | |
| Sports & Action | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
More comparisons with Q
Camera family history