Decision tools · Compare
SL2 vs A5100
Quick take: The SL2 has the highest resolution at 47MP; the A5100 is the most affordable; only the SL2 is weather sealed.
Where the SL2 wins
- Resolution: 47.3MP
- Burst Rate: 20fps
- Weather Sealed: Yes
- Portrait: 6.5 vs 5.4
- Wedding & Events: 6.1 vs 3.5
Where the A5100 wins
- Cheaper new: £102 vs £1,539
- Battery Life: ~400 shots (CIPA)
- Weight: 224g (body only)
- Street: 7.0 vs 4.6
- Travel: 6.4 vs 4.7
16 specs side by side·16 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.
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
Size comparedbody only, no lens · drawn to one scale
- SL2 146 × 107 × 80 mm · 920 g
- A5100 110 × 63 × 36 mm · 283 g
The A5100 is 36 mm narrower, 44 mm shorter, 44 mm slimmer and 637 g lighter than the SL2.
Drawn to scale from the makers' dimensions (W × H × D). Front shown, depth on the slanted edge.
Verdictwhich should you buy?
SL2 — Commercial, Landscape, Video: Leica's most capable system camera — excellent for photographers who want L-mount glass access.
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
SL2 (2019)
is the right camera for you if…
- Commercial photographers who want Leica quality with modern AF
- Filmmakers who want Leica glass with video capability
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 | SL2Leica · 2019 | A5100Sony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,539 used | £102 usedBest |
| Sensor | Full-frame CMOS 35mm | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 47.3MPBest | 24.3MP |
| Video | 5K 30fps, 4K 60fps, 1080p 180fps | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, AI-based scene recognition | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 20fpsBest | 6fps |
| Battery Life | 370 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 835g (body only) | 224g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 146.0 × 107.0 × 80.5mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | YesBest | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | EVF 0.78× 5.76M-dot | No viewfinder |
| Screen | 3.2" fixed touchscreen, 2.10M-dot | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Leica L-Mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | 2× SD UHS-II | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C 3.1, HDMI full-size | 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
SL2
A5100
Portrait
6.5/10
5.4/10
Street
4.6/10
7.0/10
Travel
4.7/10
6.4/10
Wedding & Events
6.1/10
3.5/10
Filmmaking
6.6/10
—
Documentary
6.2/10
4.1/10
Sports & Action
5.4/10
4.7/10
Landscape
7.0/10
5.0/10
Wildlife
5.8/10
5.5/10
Casual
3.8/10
5.2/10
Food
5.8/10
5.9/10
Macro
5.3/10
5.2/10
Architecture
7.1/10
5.2/10
Astrophotography
5.6/10
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 →
Next
More comparisons with SL2
Camera family history