Decision tools · Compare
G9 vs A5100
Quick take: The A5100 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the A5100 is the most affordable; only the G9 is weather sealed.
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.
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
G9 — Wildlife, Sports, Travel: The G9 showed that Micro Four Thirds could compete for fast-action stills.
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
G9 (2017)
is the right camera for you if…
- Wildlife photographers who want fast burst and long telephoto reach at lower cost
- MFT system users who prioritise stills over video
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 | G9Lumix · 2017 | A5100Sony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £999 | £102 usedBest |
| Sensor | Micro Four Thirds Live MOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 20.3MP | 24.3MPBest |
| Video | 4K 60fps, C4K 24fps | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | 225-point contrast-detect DFD | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 6.5 stops (6.0 stops dual IS) | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 20fps mechanical, 60fps electronicBest | 6fps |
| Battery Life | 400 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 658g (body only) | 224g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 136.9 × 97.3 × 91.6mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | YesBest | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | EVF 0.83× 3.68M-dot | No viewfinder |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.04M-dot | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | 2× SD UHS-II | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, USB-C, 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
G9
A5100
Portrait
5.5/10
5.4/10
Street
5.3/10
7.0/10
Travel
5.2/10
6.4/10
Wedding & Events
5.5/10
3.5/10
Vlogging & Video
5.1/10
4.7/10
Filmmaking
5.8/10
—
Documentary
5.7/10
4.1/10
Sports & Action
6.2/10
4.7/10
Landscape
5.6/10
5.0/10
Wildlife
6.5/10
5.5/10
Casual
4.8/10
5.2/10
Food
6.1/10
5.9/10
Macro
7.4/10
5.2/10
Architecture
5.8/10
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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